C-suite leaders are under increasing pressure to run their teams and organizations efficiently, despite the challenges they are facing in the current economic climate. These challenges can be especially detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing. A new study by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence has revealed that many executives are seriously considering quitting to find a job that supports their well-being. This is a major opportunity for organizations to ensure their leadership team has the support they need. Further, the C-suite must clearly understand the ways in which people, process, performance, and job stress impact morale, innovation, productivity, and profits.

People
The C-suite is almost always filled with high-pressure, competing demands, job stress, tricky people management, and politics. Leaders in the C-Suite need a comprehensive set of skills, competencies and experiences to succeed. The pressures are magnified by the complexities of a global market, rapid innovation and changing regulatory environments. The pandemic has added a new layer of complexity that is taking its toll on top leaders.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, many employees have struggled with the strain of the virus, the effects of supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, vaccine hesitancy and other challenges. As the pandemic has dragged on, many employees have been dealing with stress, burnout, anxiety and other mental health issues that were made worse by the virus.

It is important to recognize the importance of well-being in the workplace and make sure that your people are feeling supported. This will ensure that your employees are able to focus on their job responsibilities and stay productive during this time of change.

Rather than trying to take on more tasks than we can manage, it is important for managers to embrace self-care practices that will enable them to continue thriving at work. This includes making small adjustments to their working habits. For example, scheduling breaks to do something enjoyable. It is also a good idea to avoid excessive work hours, missing out on family gatherings and consuming too much junk food or alcohol.

Executives who have taken care of themselves, including taking care of their physical and mental health, are more likely to feel confident in the leadership role than those who have not. It is therefore essential to help them develop a strong foundation for success in the post-pandemic era.

Process
C-suite executives have a variety of responsibilities. Many are focused on the technical aspects of running a business and making sure it stays healthy and successful, while others focus on big-picture thinking and ensuring the company has a vision that will drive success in the future.

Chief Financial Officers are a common and critical C-suite position, managing all things related to the financial aspects of a business. This could include establishing budgets and setting expense approval limits, as well as overseeing all of the money coming in and going out of the business.

Another critical role within the C-suite is that of Chief Information Architect, responsible for integrating all of the computer and digital systems that are used in a business. This allows employees to carry out their tasks and collaborate effectively with each other, as well as the rest of the C-suite.

Other common C-suite responsibilities include those of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who is in charge of managing all aspects of computer networks and technology, and the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), who is responsible for determining how a company’s marketing initiatives can support its growth goals.

While these roles and responsibilities will vary from one business to the next, they are all vital for companies to thrive in today’s competitive market. In particular, these C-suite leaders will be responsible for creating and maintaining a high level of employee engagement. This can be done through fostering team spirit, providing a sense of purpose and helping to set strategic priorities and goals. It also entails defining and communicating the company’s values to its workforce.

In addition, these leaders are responsible for ensuring that all employees have access to the resources they need to be successful at work. Increasingly, these C-suite responsibilities are focused on social justice issues, diversity and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic disparity.

As these responsibilities are increasingly complex, companies need leaders who can lead from the top and ensure that the entire organization is aligned with the larger business goals. These C-suite members must be able to communicate clearly and set realistic expectations for themselves and their teams. This can be a challenge, but it is crucial for the longevity and success of any company.

Performance
C-suite executives aspire to be leaders, and they work hard to become the best in their field. It’s a high-pressure role that requires a vast set of skills, competencies and experiences to succeed. When faced with a significant challenge, a CEO will need to be able to focus on what matters and take actions that help the business grow. This includes articulating a vision for the company, developing a plan to implement it and building an enthusiastic team around the strategy.

The C-suite has a great deal of responsibility when it comes to the performance of their teams, but they also need to think about their own wellbeing. They can benefit from wellbeing activities such as counselling and mental health support that give them clarity of mind. Despite this, Deloitte found that many of them don’t understand their employees’ wellbeing concerns or how they can help them. In fact, nearly 70% of the C-suite are seriously considering quitting their jobs for a job that better supports their own wellbeing.

In addition to being stressed, the C-suite is prone to depression and other forms of mental illness. This can lead to burnout, which affects performance and productivity. It’s important for leaders to take time out of their busy schedules and disconnect from their work. They should do this at least twice a week, and should consider setting aside time in their calendars to focus on other aspects of their life.

As well as reducing their stress levels, C-suite executives should also ensure that they’re getting enough sleep and eating well. This will help them cope with a demanding lifestyle and keep their bodies healthy. Another key aspect of leadership is compassion. This is especially relevant when leading teams during a pandemic or other stressful period, where people may feel vulnerable. As such, the leadership style of C-suite executives should be geared towards being empathetic and supportive of their team members’ struggles.

HR teams can use wellbeing surveys to find out more about the mental health issues of the C-suite, and how they can be supported. This will enable them to understand their coping mechanisms and how they can work with their teams to improve their health and well-being.

Job Stress
The C-Suite is a special group of people who hold leadership positions at companies. They are expected to keep their teams and businesses running smoothly, with minimal errors. It’s a tough task, and it can be difficult to maintain mental health during times of stress and uncertainty.

It’s important to remember that every employee — no matter the role — has their own unique set of personal stressors and challenges that could impact their work performance. Unlike in pre-pandemic days, when only a handful of employees might feel comfortable admitting personal problems that would impact their ability to perform at work, as we enter the post-pandemic era, virtually all employees will face personal struggles that will require significant attention.

A recent study conducted by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence surveyed 12,000 employees, HR leaders, managers and C-suite executives across 11 countries. The results found that 53% of C-suite execs struggled with workplace mental health issues, while 45% of employees reported similar struggles. One of the most common factors in these mental health struggles is a lack of support from the workplace. This includes a lack of resources and tools to help them deal with their own personal issues, like adequate time off or flexible scheduling.

Another major factor in these workplace struggles is remote work environments. This is a growing trend and it’s not without its challenges. Leaders are challenged with managing from afar and juggling different time zones, clunky tech, and strained relationships. These challenges have led to a significant increase in burnout and depression among C-suite execs, especially younger leaders. These issues are not only a strain on their mental health, but they also have the potential to impact the entire company.

This is why it’s important to prioritize your own well-being and make sure you take care of yourself. For example, consider taking regular physical breaks. Exercise is a great way to clear your head, reduce stress and boost positive emotions, which can have a massive impact on your decision-making and ability to handle large workloads. Try to get 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. To find out more about Job Stress and its impacts bookmark this handy resource here: https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress