Prioritizing Well-Being in High-Stakes Environments.

In today’s fast-paced, high-stakes environments, well-being often can be seen as a weakness to productivity. While leaders may believe that pushing harder equates to higher productivity, this mentality can lead to burnout and costly turnover. According to a 2022 study by Deloitte, burnout costs companies up to $322 billion annually in lost productivity. In fact, companies that neglect well-being have seen turnover rates spike up to 20% higher than their competitors who invest in mental and physical health support (Gallup). The challenge is clear: if organizations continue to view well-being as a “nice-to-have” rather than an essential driver of performance, they risk eroding both morale and productivity.

Redefining Well-Being for Success

As Lawrence Mitchell, CEO of Wellbeing at Work, noted in our recent Instill Culture Lab session, well-being isn’t about “checking a box.” Instead, it’s a core component of a company’s operational success. Here are foundational strategies he shared:

1. View Well-Being as an Energy Source
   Rather than a soft benefit, well-being is the fuel that drives productivity and engagement. Lawrence shared the “line of resilience” model: when employees operate above this line, they are solution-focused, energized, and motivated. Conversely, those below the line experience fatigue, blame-shifting, and disengagement. Creating routines and habits that prioritize this line strengthens the organization’s ability to withstand stress and perform optimally.
2. Leadership Sets the Tone
   Leaders play a pivotal role in establishing a well-being-centric culture. As Lawrence emphasized, leaders who demonstrate self-leadership—through balanced routines and authentic engagement—set a powerful example for their teams. By prioritizing their own well-being, leaders model the behaviors they wish to see across the organization, from transparency in decision-making to genuine support of team needs. It’s not about perfection but about showing commitment to the team’s health and productivity.
3. Measure and Integrate Well-Being Systematically
   Measurement is essential for sustainability. Organizations excelling in well-being treat it as a measurable metric alongside other key performance indicators. According to a Gallup report, companies with structured well-being programs report 41% lower absenteeism and 17% higher productivity. These results come from integrating well-being into the company’s DNA—rather than a program or initiative, it becomes part of daily practice.

Actions to Improve Team Well-Being Today

To help you assess your team's well-being and set the foundation for a thriving, resilient culture, try these actions:

• Start with One-to-One Conversations
  Schedule regular check-ins that go beyond tasks. Ask employees about their goals, how they’re feeling about their workload, and if they’re experiencing stressors that impact their ability to perform. Authentic engagement can significantly boost well-being and reduce turnover by up to 32% (Project Oxygen, Google).
• Encourage Small Daily Habits
  Challenge your team to incorporate simple habits that boost well-being—such as a brief walk or a five-minute meditation before meetings. Studies show that such micro-breaks can increase productivity by up to 15% (Harvard Business Review).
• Foster Psychological Safety
  Create an environment where employees feel safe sharing challenges without fear of judgment. Toxic cultures have been shown to increase turnover by 10 times. Encouraging openness builds a sense of trust and security that empowers employees to bring their best selves to work.

Instill’s Role in Supporting High-Performance Well-Being

At Instill, we believe that well-being should be a cornerstone of any high-performing culture. Our platform can actually quantify well-being, offering real-time insights and tailored recommendations to maintain an above-the-line environment. 

Cheers,       
The Instill Team