The State of Leadership in Australian Workplaces Report 2021
A joint AHRI and The Leaders Lab study shows that while nearly 60% of the Australian leaders reported that they felt they were struggling as leaders, only 22.3% of the Australian leaders reported that they were thriving with ease in their workplaces. The report discusses findings relating to the ability of Australian leaders to provide effective leadership and support that will significantly impact on employees’ ongoing wellbeing and performance.
1. CURRENT STATE: WELLBEING IN AUSTRALIAN WORKPLACES
As we have noted in previous reports, in its simplest form, wellbeing is the ability to feel good and function effectively as we navigate the inevitable highs and lows of work and life. Studies – including ours – find that how we feel (physically, mentally, and socially) and how we perform at work have a mutually reinforcing cycle. Work provides opportunities for ongoing learning and development, meaningful achievement, and connection with others, which nourish our wellbeing. And when we feel physically, mentally, and socially well, we are able to bring more energy, focus, and motivation to work and thus are more productive. Thriving occurs when we consistently feel and function well as we work. We might assume that thriving would only occur in good times. However, our findings have consistently demonstrated that it is possible to thrive despite struggle. Sustaining our levels of wellbeing at work is less dependent on the situation and more dependent on our abilities to effectively navigate both the good times and successes as well as the struggles and challenges that occur
7.4%
OF AUSTRALIAN WORKERS
WERE CONSISTENTLY THRIVING,
VERSUS 14.7% IN 2019.
2. THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS: THE CONFIDENCE AMPLIFIERS
For the past decade, studies have repeatedly found that many of the traditional leadership beliefs, skills, and tools have become obsolete in the face of the complex, diverse, and dynamic nature of today’s workplaces. These outdated “management” approaches are not only leaving many leaders feeling overwhelmed as they struggle to keep up with the growing expectations of their roles, but are often detrimental to the wellbeing and performance of leaders and their teams. Our research and other studies have found that leaders who are able to thrive even in the face of disruption and uncertainty, aren’t just “doing” things differently. They are “showing up” differently due to the leadership mindset they hold – their beliefs – about their roles and responsibilities at work. They demonstrate what we have called a THRIVE mindset.
39.1%
OF AUSTRALIAN WORKERS
FELT VERY MOTIVATED TO
IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING,
VERSUS 47% IN 2019.
3. BOOSTING THRIVING: TAKING A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Caring for our wellbeing is not a solo endeavour. Associate Professor Aaron Jardon notes that our wellbeing perceptions, experiences, and behaviours are diverse and spread through a complicated web of social connections at the Me (individual workers), We (teams), and the Us Level (the entire workplaces and the communities that surround them). While each person in the organisation impacts upon their team and workplace, leaders play a particularly significant role in nurturing or impairing this web.
37.6%
OF AUSTRALIAN WORKERS
REPORTED THAT THEIR
MANAGER OFTEN EXPRESSES
CARE FOR THEM.
4. REDUCING STRUGGLE: MAKING IT SAFE TO STRUGGLE
Feelings of struggle, anxiety, and stress are signs that something important for us is unfolding that needs our attention and action. When we have the confidence to navigate struggle, rather than undermining thriving it fuels learning, growth and resilience. But when struggle is perceived to be a sign of failure, is ignored or is avoided for too long, it can create stress and pressures that place people at risk for exhaustion and breakdown. To unnecessarily avoid prolonged struggle, we must feel safe talking about the challenges we are experiencing with each other – particularly during uncertain and disruptive periods
32.1%
OF AUSTRALIAN WORKERS
FEEL SAFE SHARING
THEIR STRUGGLES AT WORK.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Julie McNamara
Media Specialist, Mahlab
[email protected]
0419 595 688
