HBR On Leadership

It’s Time to Talk to Your Team About Mental Health

Dec 27, 2023

Morra Aarons-Mele, a writer, entrepreneur, and the author of "The Anxious Achiever," discusses the crucial conversation around mental health in the workplace. She highlights how understanding and discussing our own mental wellness can improve leadership and team dynamics. Aarons-Mele shares practical tips for managing anxiety and fostering a supportive environment for employees. The dialogue emphasizes breaking the stigma of mental health, adapting to challenges, and even transforming anxiety into a leadership strength.

30:59

Episode guests

Morra Aarons-Mele

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The proper management of anxiety can transform it into a leadership superpower, providing energy, focus, and purpose in work.

Creating a safe space for discussions about mental health in the workplace is crucial for promoting greater mental well-being among employees.

Deep dives

Anxiety as a Superpower

In this podcast episode, Maura Aaron Smili, writer, entrepreneur, and podcast host, discusses how anxiety can be reframed as a superpower. She explains that anxiety, when properly managed, can provide energy, focus, and purpose in work. However, she acknowledges that anxiety can also be debilitating and cause loss of joy and focus. By recognizing and learning from anxiety, individuals can become stronger and more resilient, ultimately transforming anxiety into a leadership superpower.

Intro

2min

Navigating Anxiety in the Workplace

10min

Understanding Adaptive Responses to Anxiety

1min

Navigating Mental Health in Leadership

15min

Navigating Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace

2min

Transforming Anxiety into Leadership Strength

2min

The business world is beginning to recognize the importance of mental health. That’s why writer, entrepreneur, and podcast host Morra Aarons-Mele says that the more we understand and talk about our own mental health, the better we are as managers and colleagues.

In this episode, you’ll get tips on how to work with—and through—your anxiety. If you’re a senior leader or a human resources professional, you’ll also learn ways to help your organization prioritize employees’ mental health.

This is the final episode in a special series highlighting the four best leadership episodes of 2023, curated from across Harvard Business Review’s podcasts.

Key episode topics include: leadership, psychology, mental health, managing yourself, emotional intelligence.

HBR On Leadership curates the best case studies and conversations with the world’s top business and management experts, to help you unlock the best in those around you. New episodes every week.

· Listen to the original HBR IdeaCast episode: How Managing Your Anxiety Can Make You a Better Leader (2023)

· Find more episodes of HBR IdeaCast.

· Discover 100 years of Harvard Business Review articles, case studies, podcasts, and more at HBR.org.