Stuart WoodWellbeing and stress management are hot topics these days, and it’s no surprise – studies are consistently showing the link between wellbeing and productivity, happiness and job satisfaction.
This year’s IBTM World features a section of the Knowledge Programme dedicated to ‘professional development, recruitment and wellbeing’, allowing delegates to take home practical ideas to help better manage stress in the workplace.
Ahead of the show, we asked two of its wellbeing speakers the following question: how do you ensure wellbeing and satisfaction at work, both for yourself and as a manager of others?
Leslie B. Rogers, Employee Engagement Consultant, Leslie B. Rogers Consulting (pictured left)
Keeping well in high pressured jobs can feel like a constant balancing act. On the one hand, if you’re a fan of high stimulus, the challenges of getting the job done can feel energising. This is especially the case when you have the right level of autonomy and ownership; when you feel like you’re growing and being challenged; and when you have a sense that the work you do is important. Dan Pink summarised these factors as Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose. And no matter what job you’re in, finding the right levels for you in each of these areas is part of making work enjoyable.
On the other hand, each of us needs to rest and recharge. It’s very tough these days, since we’re constantly online and there will always be more to do. But what I’ve found to be the biggest help has been tapping in to my own body cues about when work feels good and when it leads to burn out. It’s taken a lot of mindfulness. And anyone I manage is encouraged to tap into his/her body as well, as the best gauges for how they’re coping. In practice, this looks like taking breaks at work, sitting back and breathing, getting up from your desk, not scheduling back-to-back meetings and insisting on lunch breaks.
For more information about Leslie’s talk at IBTM World, see here
Ken Kelling, Executive Coach and Associate Director, davies tanner PR and marketing (pictured right)
According to US company CareerCast.com, a career as an event co-ordinator was cited the fifth most stressful of 2018. In the UK, research by #EventWell in 2017 showed that 1 in 3 event professionals will experience a period of mental ill health; 42% of employees had changed job due to stress; and UK Event Professionals only rate their general wellbeing at 6 out of 10.
It’s more important than ever that event professionals take active steps towards their own wellbeing. It’s also vitally important that the events industry as a whole comes together with a proactive approach towards workplace wellbeing that equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to stay healthy and happy.
The first and most important step is that we all recognise wellbeing as an essential part of workplace satisfaction. The second is that we talk openly about its importance. And the third is that senior leaders put in place wellbeing policies and procedures to show employees that the health of employees is taken seriously.
The industry needs more initiatives like #EventWell – a charitable social enterprise and dedicated resource for wellbeing advice, knowledge and support. #EventWell provides an online resource centred around its vision and values, advocating the wellbeing of all professionals working in events.
I’d like to see initiatives like this spread globally throughout our exciting but demanding industry.
For more information about Ken’s talk at IBTM World, see here.