The Lens Shift on Wellbeing
Seven Lenses to See How Everyday Work Is Changing – A Series. Why Wellbeing Matters.
Today we’re talking about wellbeing—specifically, why it matters and how our understanding of it is shifting as leaders.
There are two questions I want to explore:
Why is wellbeing so important for us to pay attention to as leaders?
What shifts are we seeing from the old lens to the new lens around wellbeing and leadership?
Emotions Drive Performance
First, let’s talk about why wellbeing matters.
According to brain science, performance is a reflection of our emotional life. In short:
How we feel is how we perform.
Emotions drive performance. That means one of the most effective ways to support performance is to support how people feel—especially how they feel at their best, in the flow of everyday work.
1. From Crisis Referral to Proactive Check-Ins
Modeling and Practicing Empathy
In the old lens, wellbeing was mostly reactive. It was treated as a crisis response—if someone was clearly struggling, we might suggest a referral to a professional. Otherwise, we hoped people would take care of themselves.
In the new lens, leaders proactively check in.
These check-ins are regular, brief conversations that prioritize empathy and create psychological safety. The goal isn’t to fix people—it’s to make space for emotions, validate them, and help people regulate themselves by simply feeling seen and heard.
2. From Employee-Only to Whole Person
Flexibility as Support
In the old lens, we treated people as employees first and foremost—not as whole people.
In the new lens, we recognize people’s full humanity. Flexibility is key. We consider how work can support the whole person, not just their role. While this became especially visible during the pandemic, it’s not a temporary shift—it’s something we believe is here to stay.
3. From Individual Burden to Shared Responsibility
Creating a Culture of Community Care
In the old lens, mental health was an individual responsibility—everyone was on their own.
In the new lens, wellbeing is a shared responsibility. It’s community-oriented.
As leaders, this means creating team agreements about how we support each other. It’s not just policy—it’s culture. These shared expectations help people feel seen, valued, and connected, which is essential for doing their best work.
These are just a few ways the lens on wellbeing is shifting.
We’d love to talk with you about how these ideas apply to your team or organization. If you missed the earlier posts in the Seven Lenses series, you can explore them on our website or blog.
