Ep. 6 Nick Davison - Health and Wellbeing Strategist, Former Head of Wellbeing at John Lewis
Apr 24, 2023
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Nick Davison, a Health and Wellbeing Strategist and former Head of Wellbeing at John Lewis, dives into the evolution of workplace wellness. He discusses transforming occupational health into holistic wellbeing strategies. Nick highlights the significance of strong workplace relationships and the critical role of wellbeing leadership in enhancing performance. He shares insights on mentorship, the importance of self-care, and the changing landscape of mental health in organizations since the 1980s, emphasizing genuine support over superficial initiatives.
Nick Davison emphasizes that effective employee wellbeing strategies must integrate various dimensions, including social, emotional, and financial aspects, to enhance overall resilience.
He advocates for a tailored and proactive approach to wellbeing, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence and community engagement in fostering a supportive workplace culture.
Deep dives
Nick Davison's Journey into Wellbeing Leadership
Nick Davison's career journey began in occupational health at Aviva, where he was involved in acquiring an occupational health business, which sparked his interest in wellbeing. His transition to John Lewis in 2011 allowed him to integrate health services while expanding his focus on social, emotional, and financial wellbeing. During his time there, he redesigned the health services to create a more proactive approach, addressing the needs of 80,000 employees across 400 sites. The importance of consistent and centralized wellbeing strategies became clear, leading to the development of remote management for services like physiotherapy and mental health support.
Holistic Approach to Employee Wellbeing
A significant insight from Davison's experience is the recognition that wellbeing encompasses various dimensions, including social wellbeing, which is often overlooked. He emphasized the need for organizations to foster engagement and community among employees through activities outside of work. Establishing social connections can greatly enhance job satisfaction and employee resilience during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies conducted during this period showed that employees developed greater resilience compared to previous cohorts, underscoring the value of a supportive workplace culture.
Challenges in the Current Wellbeing Landscape
The conversation highlighted the ongoing challenges surrounding employee wellbeing, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis and the heightened stress it induces. The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues, revealing vulnerabilities that were already present in society. Employers often struggle to balance the need for productivity with the individual needs of their workforce, particularly in industries reliant on physical labor and public interaction. The disparity in resources and support for wellbeing across different organizations raises concerns about how to effectively address these pressing issues.
The Future of Wellbeing Leadership
As an independent wellbeing consultant, Davison stresses the need for a tailored and holistic approach to employee wellbeing, encompassing both reactive and proactive strategies. He believes that wellbeing leaders must possess emotional intelligence, resilience, and strong relationship management skills to navigate the complexities of their role. Organizations are increasingly expected to integrate wellbeing with productivity, making it essential for leaders to demonstrate the value of their initiatives. The progression towards personalized wellbeing solutions and the use of technology will be vital in effectively addressing the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
In this episode we speak to Nick Davison. Nick started his journey at Aviva, and went on to be the head of well being at John Lewis for over 10 years. He's now started his own business and works as the Health and Wellbeing Strategist, Managing Director for myadv1ce.
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