In this episode of the Recruitment Founders Podcast, Greg Elton and Lindsay Hartland open up about mental health and mental wellbeing as recruiters and business owners.
Greg shares how undiagnosed panic attacks in a hyper-competitive, macho recruitment culture led to an eventual diagnosis of anxiety and a completely different approach to leadership. Lindsay talks about the quieter build-up of stress, the point where productivity drops, and the importance of knowing when to step away.
Together they unpack practical coping strategies, from CBT techniques and reframing stress, to clearing your diary, going to the gym, walking the dogs and leaning on a trusted founder community, all underlining the message that it’s absolutely okay not to be okay, and even more okay to talk about it.
Key Takeaways
High-performance cultures can hide real struggle. Greg’s early career story shows how “alpha” recruitment environments that idolise top billers and numbers can make it harder to recognise and admit you’re not okay.
Think ‘mental wellbeing’, not just ‘mental health’. Lindsay hasn’t had many panic attacks, but he’s learnt to spot when his head is “cloudy”, stress is rising, and he’s no longer productive, and to treat that as a wellbeing issue worth acting on.
You’re allowed to clear your diary. As a founder, it’s legitimate to cancel meetings, go home, hit the gym or walk the dogs if you’re not in the right headspace – then make it up when you’re in a better place. That’s part of running a business on your terms.
Have go-to activities that switch your brain off. For Lindsay it’s the gym and walking the dogs; for Greg it’s hitting golf balls, mowing the lawn, playing the piano and coaching kids’ football. These “no-thinking” zones are crucial pressure valves.
Community is a mental wellbeing tool. The RFC founder community gives people a safe, non-judgemental space to be honest (no inflated figures, no posturing) with others who get it and won’t steal your clients – a huge antidote to the loneliness of ownership.
Best Moments
“I was absolutely convinced I was having a heart attack… every logical fibre in my body had left the room.”
“Given the tools and culture we had back then, you dealt with it in a way that really helped me – you never made me feel like I couldn’t talk about it.”
“What’s the point in setting up your own business if you can’t run it on your own terms?”
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is clear your diary, walk the dogs or go to the gym and come back when your head’s right.”
About Recruitment Founders Club
Recruitment Founders Club is your launchpad to owning a successful recruitment business. We provide comprehensive mentorship and cover your start-up costs for the first 12 months. Coupled with our robust network and ongoing support, we not only help you start your own business, we ensure you thrive.
Find out more: https://recruitmentfoundersclub.com/