BSG’s Post

Passionate about happiness and its impact on our lives! Did you know that loneliness ranks as one of the leading causes of unhappiness? This piece in Fast Company cites an important research led by my BSG colleague Natalie Lupiani in partnership with Berlin Cameron and TheLi.st about this very relevant topic and shares recommendations on how to combat this epidemic. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, fostering meaningful connections and nurturing a sense of belonging becomes paramount. Let's spark conversations and explore strategies together to cultivate joy, resilience, and a sense of community. #research #wellbeing #loneliness #mentalhealthawareness

Without seeking help, this will only grow.

As always, Harvard Business Review providing excellent new data on people issues but then cloaking solutions in elaborate corporate jargon as though embarrassed to talk frankly about deep human emotions and needs. I think HBR might be trying to say the best solution to loneliness at work are teams which routinely express love, support and care. Smiling and saying good morning each day is one simple way human beings show they see each other as people. In unhappy workplaces, such small acts of courtesy and regard are the first to go as the culture deteriorates. "Love" remains a verboten word in the modern workplace - probably for good reason. But if the workplace is taking on greater significance in people's increasingly disconnected lives, then it may be time to talk more openly about the acceptance and affirmation many people crave from their teams and leaders.

Interesting read…. A hundred fifty years ago, poet Emily Dickinson described loneliness as “the horror not to be surveyed, but skirted in the dark.” Had she been running a modern company, she might have felt differently. Loneliness should be as important to managers, CFOs, and CEOs as it is to therapists. The last half-decade of research has demonstrated that loneliness threatens not only our physical health and well-being, but also our livelihood. Research shows that loneliness has the same effect as 15 cigarettes a day in terms of health care outcomes and health care costs. Yet we are often blind to this hidden drain on health and revenue. Lonelier workers perform more poorly, quit more often, and feel less satisfied with their jobs — costing employers upwards of £2.5 billion ($3.5 billion U.S.) in the United Kingdom alone. The U.K. found loneliness to be such an issue, they have appointed a Minister of Loneliness to head up the daunting task of figuring out solutions to what the former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls “the most common pathology”, with nearly 40% of Americans reporting being lonely. As employers digest the business impact of this epidemic, they’ve become hungry for a more granular understanding of who’s at risk for loneliness, and what they can do to help. Little such data exists, however, leaving them to take their best guess. Thus, we used the lab at BetterUp to collect data on loneliness in the workplace in search of some of the elusive knowledge that can inform an evidence-based corporate approach. #work #workculture #workforcemanagement #lonliness #people #humans #hr #workplace #culture

Building Resilience: Navigating Chronic Illness in the United States It's a fact: 60% of adults in the United States are living with at least one chronic illness. These statistics remind us of the importance of prioritizing health and well-being in our lives and workplaces. Let's foster a culture of understanding, flexibility, and empathy to ensure that everyone, regardless of their health challenges, can thrive both personally and professionally. #ChronicIllness #WellnessAtWork #Inclusion #HealthMatters #SupportEachOther #Resilience

Excellent piece in HBR! Congrats to the authors. More often than not, people with disabilities and chronic illness carry the burden of explaining their symptoms and limitations. It can be particularly difficult in the workplace when seeking accommodations —especially when accommodations are meant to even the playing field for the person needing them! This article offers a comprehensive menu of accommodation options for managers (or academics or administrators) when the people who work with them have long covid. Please share widely with your networks, HR departments, and leaders. Accommodations cost nothing or next to nothing for organizations, but can be the tipping point for someone’s livelihood, health, and well-being.

On World Health Day, we're reminded of the importance of prioritizing our physical and mental well-being. At Paradigm Governance Partners, we believe that a healthy workforce is a happy and productive workforce. Let's commit to making healthier choices and supporting each other's health journey. #WorldHealthDay #HealthyLiving

Loneliness isn’t just a well-being issue. It’s a business issue that impacts performance, engagement, and retention. Research from The Wharton School and California State University found that the lonelier people are at work, the worse they perform and the less committed they are to their organizations. According to research conducted by the Gallup organization, people who have a a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs. This HBR post below provides a further insight into the challenge & impact of loneliness. So be kind and support the campaign to end loneliness ! One life, go connect !!

In our walk of life, getting older is inevitable, but aging doesn't have to be. As professionals, we know the value of health in our career span. With a blend of experiences and learning, we gain wisdom that can help us consistently add vitality to our lives. If you're past 40 or 60, let's discuss how to prioritize our health and wellness. There are solutions we don't have to settle. Let's make every day an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Join me in this conversation! #ProfessionalHealth #LeadershipWellness #Longevity