The need for us to be advocates of ‘corporate wellness’ here in the UK as we go about our consulting, coaching and training work was borne out of many years’ experience of working in corporate environments and then supporting individuals and teams who continue to do so. Needless to say that a controversial book published earlier this year claiming that wellness programs make us “unwell” caught our attention so we thought we’d share and add to the current debate.
From origins in 1950s America, wellness as a concept has evolved and spread to all corners of the world including the UK. But academic business researchers Professor André Spicer, of Cass Business School, London and Carl Cederström of Stockholm Business School, believe the wellness industry has gone too far. In their book The Wellness Syndrome, available from Polity Press, they describe a collection of research and case studies which they believe demonstrates that some wellness programs are not only ineffective but may be detrimental to health.
If you read only The Wellness Syndrome, you might be inclined to be sceptical of wellness programs, but we strongly believe that well-designed programs, such as that offered by Space2BE, can and do work. So it was heartening to read in the press this week the success story at the Walton Centre, a specialist NHS neurological centre in Liverpool. In 2010, staff sickness rates were running at 7%, which is higher than average for the NHS. So together, managers and unions decided to take action; now the 1200 members of staff have access to netball, football and running clubs, massage and aromatherapy, weight management programs and more, with the result that sickness rates have reduced to 4%, more in line with the average for the NHS.
As evidenced by the experience at the Walton Centre, a bespoke, multidisciplinary approach is completely vindicated; programs promoting increased physical activity through exercise or sport; nutritional advice to help with weight loss and improved energy and health for those of normal weight; reducing stress and improving mental wellbeing, for example through meditation, mindfulness or ‘mind chi’. Any successful program will address all the elements of wellness as defined by the WHO “…a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Like many things in life, it’s a matter of getting the right balance.
At Space2BE we offer a core programme in building resilience, which incorporates interventions that support mental, emotional and physical wellness. Our team of wellness experts collaborate to create solutions that are fit for purpose for our diverse client groups. Critically, our work in this area compliments our core business, which is fundamentally about increasing organisational performance through people using the tools of; executive coaching, organisation development consultancy, leadership development, talent management and the building of high performing teams. Having people who are “fit to focus” and working environments that are “healthy” and “positive” is surely a hygiene factor to build on?
If you have an equal passion for role modelling corporate wellness and finding accessible ways to do this that don’t cost the earth then feel free to get in touch.
Email: connect@space2be.co Phone: 0207 666 3070
