The Elements of Sustainable Performance are found in a Strong Prevention Regimen.
What is Prevention?
Prevention Programmes are designed to create a supportive workplace culture that prioritizes employee or athlete well-being and mental health, implementing policies and programs to promote work-life balance, stress management, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Prevention efforts also include providing resources for employees or athletes to access mental health support and counseling services, fostering open communication, and addressing underlying factors contributing to presenteeism, absenteeism, and mental health risks. By prioritizing prevention, people can perform well while feeling well and safe to perform to their potential. That’s where the competitive edge of sustainable performance lies.
Why learn more about resilience as part of a prevention strategy when you already have a high-performing team?
The term resilience is often mistaken for rude strength and pushing through natural limitations that are essential for one’s mental health. Having a high performing team can possibly mean results for the short-term, but there is likely a price to pay in the longer run. Life is not an event, it is a journey– the same applies to our professional lives.
It’s crucial to make the distinction between resilience in terms of flexibility, adaptation and bullet-strong motivation, and what is known as grit, which is plain toughness with what can be stubborn and inadequate strategies to reach one’s targets. A training program on stress resilience that teaches you to also spot the difference provides new insight and awareness that will take a team’s innate abilities even further, and in the long term. Sustainability is where the competitive edge lies.
How is Mental Health Awareness linked to High Performance?
Studies on Mental Health First Aid consistently show the numerous benefits for organizations and teams whose leaders are trained in detecting the signs of mental distress in their teams.
Early Intervention
Managers trained in Mental Health First Aid are better equipped to recognize early signs of mental distress in their teams, which enables timely interventions, potentially preventing escalation situations.
Reduced Stigma
When managers are knowledgeable about mental health, they are more likely to approach conversations about mental distress with empathy and understanding. This can make it easier for employees to seek help.
Improved Employee
Well-being
Employees who feel supported in their mental health are more likely to flourish and feel safe in their place of work, knowing they have appropriate resources and support at hand.
Enhanced Productivity
It is a well known in behavioural psychology that when employees feel supported and feel that their psychological needs are met, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.
Lower Absenteeism and Turnover
A mentally healthy work environment can lead to lower rates of absenteeism and turnover. Managers who are adept at recognizing signs of mental distress can help reduce the likelihood of employees leaving due to unaddressed mental health concerns.
Positive Impact on Organizational Culture
Managers who prioritize mental health contribute to a positive organizational culture that values the well-being of employees.
This fosters a more inclusive, compassionate, and psychologically safe work environment.
Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
In many jurisdictions, employers have legal and ethical responsibilities to provide a safe and supportive work environment, which includes addressing mental health concerns.
How do Prevention measures such as offering trainings for stress resilience and lower anxiety enhance Performance?
Research indicates a strong correlation between lowered anxiety levels and heightened performance among sports teams. When athletes experience high levels of anxiety, particularly in competitive settings, it can impair their cognitive functions, decision-making abilities, and overall performance.
Anxiety often leads to increased muscle tension, decreased focus, and disrupted coordination, all of which can hinder an athlete’s ability to perform at their best. However, by implementing strategies to lower anxiety levels, such as relaxation techniques, visualization exercises, and mindfulness practices, teams can effectively mitigate these negative effects and optimize performance.
Lower anxiety levels enable athletes to enter a state of flow, characterized by heightened concentration, optimal arousal, and effortless execution of skills, leading to enhanced performance outcomes.
Reducing anxiety levels within a team fosters a more supportive and cohesive environment, which further enhances performance. High levels of anxiety can exacerbate interpersonal tensions and negatively impact team dynamics, leading to decreased morale and motivation.
Conversely, when employees or athletes feel supported, valued, and connected to their teammates, they are more likely to perform at their peak. By fostering a culture of psychological safety and promoting open communication, teams can create an atmosphere where both employees and athletes feel comfortable expressing their concerns and seeking support when needed.
As anxiety levels decrease and team cohesion strengthens, people are better equipped to collaborate effectively, communicate efficiently, and execute their work with greater motivation and precision.