Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives - Hardcover

by Patricia Grabarek (Author), Katina Sawyer (Author)

Exclusive research-backed insights into the secrets to employee wellness and performance in today's world of work

Through a straightforward, science-based approach, Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives explains the steps to become a Generator--the type of leader who people want to work for and organizations want to hire--by leading in a way that fosters trust and positive connections with employees. This book is based on two in-depth studies conducted by the authors, where they found that the keys to employee satisfaction, wellbeing, retention, and productivity were found in the behavior of leaders and the environment those leaders cultivated.

Written by experienced industrial/organizational psychologists Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer and packed with real-life stories to add context, this book explores topics including:

• Addressing the mismatch in the definition of wellness between employees and employers
• Focusing on the tone leaders set at work, as opposed to time they spend at work
• Crafting work to support life, instead of the other way around, to support and respond to employees' unique needs.

At a time when employee morale has never been lower, Leading for Wellness is an essential read for current and aspiring business leaders and managers seeking exclusive data-based insights on how to solve one of the most pressing problems in business today.

Front Jacket

A troubling trend is emerging in today's workplace: employee morale and overall satisfaction are in sharp decline, despite companies investing more in wellness initiatives than ever before. What's missing?

Patricia Grabarek, PhD and Katina Sawyer, PhD-Industrial/Organizational Psychologists and co-founders of Workr Beeing--have spent decades researching employee well-being. Contrary to popular beliefs and large investments from companies, "add-on" offerings like wellness classes, mindfulness training, and healthy lifestyle initiatives are not perceived as helpful for improving employee wellness. Leading for Wellness shows that many organizations misunderstand wellness--it's not a program or a box to check. Instead, this book reveals that employees' actual day-to-day experiences at work and interactions with their leaders are far more important than wellness programs or initiatives.

Leading for Wellness provides a science-backed blueprint for fostering healthier, more productive work environments. Drawing from two comprehensive studies and numerous real-life examples, this book outlines actionable steps for leaders to become "Generators"--the leaders organizations and employees value most who cultivate genuine connections, create a positive team culture, and help employees achieve their work and life goals. Topics discussed include why wellness matters, the key behaviors necessary to become a Generator, and practical tips and techniques to bring those behaviors to life immediately.

This book offers business leaders a clear, data-driven path forward and a concrete plan to turn the book's insights into action--to become the Generators they have the potential to be.

Back Jacket

Praise for Leading for Wellness

"In a world full of wellness buzzwords, Leading for Wellness zeroes to the core of the issue. Leaders needn't be superheroes. But if they're not well, their teams won't be either. This book provides a refreshing, practical guide for leaders who want to build thriving teams--and avoid burnout themselves."
--DANIEL H. PINK, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret and Drive

"Leading for Wellness is a game-changer for leaders who are ready to prioritize both people and performance. With a masterful blend of actionable insights, compelling research, and real-world examples, this book offers a clear and inspiring roadmap to create workplaces where wellness isn't just a buzzword but a driving force for success. Whether you're navigating the challenges of a growing team or reimagining your leadership style, this book is an invaluable resource for creating a lasting impact."
--KANDI WIENS, author of Burnout Immunity: How Emotional Intelligence Can Help You Build Resilience and Heal Your Relationship with Work

"The genius of this book lies in its simplicity. The positivity of its message is contagious--an attribute that's sometimes overlooked or undervalued by leaders. Definitely a go-to-guide for thriving leaders and teams."
--CATHY CASSIDY, Advisor to the CEO of Equinox Fitness

"Moving beyond costly fads or initiatives, Leading for Wellness shows that the pathway to improving well-being and results is through leaders--and it doesn't have to cost a thing. If you want an easy, actionable guide for improving your leaders' capacity to support their team's overall wellness, this is it."
--DOLLY CHUGH, NYU Stern Professor and author of The Person You Mean to Be and A More Just Future

"Leading for Wellness is a fresh, insightful, and important take on employee well-being. It really is a must-read and incredibly relevant to today's complex work environment."
--STEVEN ROGELBERG, Professor, Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and author of The Surprising Science of Meetings and Glad We Met

Author Biography

DR. PATRICIA GRABAREK is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and a co-founder of Workr Beeing. With a background in both consulting and internal roles, she has led people analytics and talent management initiatives for more than 60 organizations across various industries. Her work focuses on research-based strategies to improve well-being, retention, and productivity efforts.

DR. KATINA SAWYER is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. She is also a co-founder of Workr Beeing. Her research focuses on employee well-being, positive organizational cultures, and creating inclusive work environments. She received a grant from the National Science Foundation and various teaching and research awards.