Mental Health for Leaders: A Priority Too Often Overlooked

In the dynamic world of business, where rapid growth is frequently the ultimate goal, leaders and business owners can easily overlook their own well-being in favor of professional success.

Since the pandemic, mental health has become a priority for many organizations, implementing measures to enhance employee well-being. But how can leaders ensure they take care of themselves?

Putting Yourself First

“If you look at businesses with sustainable growth, they are all led by individuals who know how to take care of themselves and prioritize mental health,” emphasizes Cléo Maheux, founder of Hypercroissance, whose mission is to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses.

Having recently overcome breast cancer with remarkable resilience, Maheux understands the importance of prioritizing self-care, as outlined in her book “Mon masque à oxygène en premier” (a translation of Kevin Lawrence’s Your Oxygen Mask First).

According to Maheux, it is entirely possible to combine hypergrowth with maintaining strong mental health. Stories of successful entrepreneurs often highlight the connection between personal resilience and long-term business success.

Effective Tools

The “mental health continuum” is a simple yet effective exercise that helps evaluate mental well-being on a scale from red to green. Awareness of one’s mental state is the first step toward taking action and seeking external resources, if necessary, to improve mental health.
Among the tools Maheux recommends, resilience rituals play a central role. Focusing on the body, soul, and mind, these practices include balanced eating, yoga, meditation, gardening, journaling, or any activity that brings joy, nurtures the spirit, and provides an outlet for stress relief.

Proactive planning is also crucial for leaders’ mental well-being. Scheduling moments of rest and rejuvenation—like vacations or exercise sessions—into one’s agenda can help prevent the trap of overwork.

Tailored Solutions for Mental Well-Being

Personalized approaches are increasingly seen as innovative practices in professional environments. Instead of offering standardized benefits, businesses can provide customized solutions that meet individual needs, as the reality of a 65-year-old differs greatly from that of a 25-year-old. Hybrid work models and part-time arrangements are examples of personalized accommodations.

Ultimately, caring for mental health is as vital as maintaining physical health. Business leaders and owners must acknowledge the importance of their mental well-being to ensure long-term success—for themselves, their businesses, and their employees. By integrating health-promoting practices into their daily lives and fostering a workplace culture centered on well-being, they can truly make a difference in their lives and those around them.