Unlocking Workplace Wellbeing, from Verve Healthcare

In this Unlocking Workplace Wellbeing episode, Verve Healthcare CEO Steven Pink and Sam Sloan of 123 People Development explore why micromanagement persists and its impact on workplace culture. Drawing from aviation case studies, psychological frameworks, and 30 years of NHS-informed expertise, they offer practical strategies for fostering autonomy and trust.Key Insights:Psychological roots: Sam explains Eric Berne’s "parent ego state" theory and how 58% of untrained managers default to controlling behaviors.The HEART Model: A structured approach for resetting toxic dynamics ("Start with honest, adult-to-adult dialogue," Sam advised during the podcast).Hector Lozoya’s Four-Box Leadership Matrix: When to coach vs. mentor, illustrated by Turkish Airlines’ cockpit communication improvements.Measurable outcomes: Coaching-trained managers saw a 30% reduction in project delays at Verve Healthcare.Timestamps for Busy Professionals:00:07:30 – Why operational stars often struggle as leaders00:18:16 – Aviation case study: How coaching reduced cockpit errors00:31:02 – Implementing the HEART method in hierarchical organizations00:44:50 – Steven’s reflection: "Shifting from directive to curious leadership transformed our team"Why This Matters for Employers:Micromanagement costs UK businesses £42–45 billion annually in lost productivity and turnover1. This episode provides evidence-based solutions, including:Management training frameworks grounded in aviation safety protocolsCoaching techniques that increase accountability without surveillanceMetrics for tracking psychological safety and delegation effectivenessVerve’s Approach:Rooted in 30 years of NHS experience, our workplace wellbeing strategies emphasize:✅ Proactive healthcare reducing absenteeism✅ Mental health, physiotherapy, private GP, health assessments✅ Pay-as-you-go service for corporate clients, where you only pay for the appointments your staff actually use - no more 'wasted' spend👉 Visit www.vervehealthcare.co.uk Love | Trust | Accessible | Patient-Centric | Proactive

CEO Steven Pink sat down with Karen Richardson, who brings exceptional experience as both a global HR director in the legal sector and a qualified psychotherapist and executive coach. Their conversation dived deep into how business leaders and HR professionals can effectively support their teams through periods of uncertainty. "Nearly half (43%) of employees agreed their business is not prepared to effectively manage change," Steven noted at the beginning of the podcast, highlighting the significant gap between organisational aspirations and employee experiences.  This disconnect is costly. Poor mental wellbeing related to workplace change costs UK employers between £42-45 billion annually through reduced productivity, sickness absence, and staff turnover. With the UK's sickness absence rate reaching its highest point in almost 20 years (2.6% in 2022, up from 2.2% pre-pandemic), organisations simply cannot afford to mismanage periods of transition.  Karen observed that when change is handled poorly, "It can be short-sighted because we shouldn't ignore the people that are remaining, even though they're not directly impacted." This highlights a crucial truth: change management isn't just about those directly affected; it impacts everyone. 

Verve Healthcare, CEO Steven Pink sat down with workplace menopause expert Helen Bennett to discuss how organisations can better support staff experiencing menopause. The conversation revealed practical insights that can help HR managers and business owners create more supportive workplaces for those going through this natural life stage. With menopausal women forming a valuable and significant workforce demographic, understanding and addressing this issue isn't just compassionate-it makes good business sense.The topic of menopause at work has become increasingly urgent as we recognise its substantial impact on working lives. According to research cited in the podcast, approximately 6% of women leave their jobs because of menopause, while one in six consider leaving. More recent data from Simplyhealth shows that nearly a quarter (23%) of working women have considered quitting due to menopause symptoms, with 14% actively planning to hand in their noticeSteven asked about the changing landscape regarding menopause awareness. Helen pointed out that women have historically "spent a lot of their time pretending that they're not women at work because they have to," but menopause "is something that really impacts everything."#menopause #menopausehealth #menopauselife #menopausesymptoms

Workplace stress is a common challenge, and when employees say, “My manager is stressing me out,” it often signals deeper issues in leadership styles that affect the entire organisation. Fear-based management, where leaders operate from a place of control and anxiety, doesn’t just harm employee wellbeing, it also impacts productivity and drives up sickness absence levels.At Verve Healthcare, we believe that workplace wellbeing is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. In this episode of our Unlocking Workplace Wellbeing podcast, Verve CEO Steven Pink spoke with leadership coach Mariann Marthinussen about how managers can shift from fear-based leadership to trust-based leadership.

Welcome to the Unlocking Workplace Wellbeing podcast for HR managers and business owners, where we talk about workplace wellbeing to make everyone’s lives better.As the lines between work and personal life continue to blur, especially in our increasingly digital world, many HR managers and employers are seeking ways to help their employees maintain a healthy balance.  In this episode, Verve Healthcare CEO Steven Pink talks to Katherine Walker, a former Director at Shell turned psychotherapist and leadership coach, about this crucial topic.  Katherine, who recently published her book "Step Up: Step Parenting and the Art of Creating a Happy, Healthy, and Blended Family", shared valuable insights on how the dynamics of home life can impact work life and vice versa. Let's explore some of her key points and how they can be applied in your workplace. Katherine emphasises that our home and work lives are deeply interconnected. "Who we are affects our environment, and our environments affect us," she explains. This means that when employees come to work, they bring a bit of their home life with them, whether consciously or unconsciously. Similarly, when they return home, they carry the impact of their work day.  As an HR manager or employer, it's crucial to recognise this connection. While you can't control your employees' home environments, you can create a workplace culture that supports their overall wellbeing. ---If you want to improve wellbeing in your workplace through structured access to mental health support, physiotherapy, GPs, or how to manage personal finances in a better way, then we have a solution for you.We have a proactive approach that gets to the heart of the problem.Visit us at www.vervehealthcare.co.uk and be sure to subscribe.

Welcome to the Unlocking Workplace Wellbeing podcast for HR managers and business owners, where we talk about workplace wellbeing to make everyone’s lives better.Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in the workplace, influencing not only individual well-being but also the overall success of organisations. In this podcast episode, host Steven Pink and guest Richella Boggan, co-founder of Sandown Business School, delve into the concept of emotional intelligence, its relevance in professional settings, and how it can be developed to foster a positive work environment.It's essential to understand what emotional intelligence entails. It encompasses a set of skills that enable individuals to recognise and manage their 'emotions in motion', as well as understand and navigate the emotions of others. This ability to navigate the complex landscape of emotions is increasingly being recognised as a critical factor in professional success.In the modern working environment, emotional intelligence is highly sought-after, with employers valuing it even more than technical skills in many cases. It's said that individuals with high emotional intelligence are better equipped to manage their emotions in the face of challenges, communicate effectively, and foster positive relationships with colleagues and clients.Emotional intelligence is not a fixed trait; it can be developed and honed over time. Richella introduces the 15 core skills of emotional intelligence, and how individuals can work towards building a more balanced and adaptable approach to managing their emotions. This includes skills such as self-awareness, empathy, stress tolerance, and impulse control, which collectively contribute to a more harmonious and productive work environment.One area where emotional intelligence particularly shines is in conflict resolution and difficult conversations. By cultivating emotional intelligence, people can better navigate challenging situations, remaining objective, empathetic, and solution-oriented. This ability to manage conflict effectively can lead to improved collaboration, reduced workplace tension, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities.Leaders and organisations also have a crucial role to play in fostering emotional intelligence within their teams. By implementing training programs and creating a culture that values and prioritises emotional intelligence, leaders can empower their employees to develop these essential skills. Moreover, by modeling emotional intelligence in their own behavior, leaders can set a positive example and encourage its adoption throughout the organisation.Ultimately, emotional intelligence is a continuous journey rather than a destination. It requires ongoing self-reflection, practice, and a commitment to personal growth. By embracing emotional intelligence and integrating it into the fabric of the workplace, individuals and organisations can cultivate a more empathetic, resilient, and collaborative professional environment.Cultivating emotional intelligence is a transformative process with far-reaching implications. By understanding, developing, and promoting emotional intelligence in the workplace, leaders and organisations can pave the way for enhanced well-being, improved communication, and greater success in an ever-evolving professional landscape.---If you want to improve wellbeing in your workplace through structured access to mental health support, physiotherapy, GPs, or how to manage personal finances in a better way, then we have a solution for you.We have a proactive approach that gets to the heart of the problem.Visit us at www.vervehealthcare.co.uk and be sure to subscribe.