Is workplace well-being a strategic advantage or simply a leadership nicety? In this episode, Kevin Eikenberry sits down with Paula Davis to discuss the seismic shifts reshaping our workplaces, including the lasting impacts of the pandemic, ongoing debates about hybrid work, generational expectations, and the rise of AI. Paula makes a case for adopting new mindsets over merely acquiring new skills. These include Sticky Recognition and Mattering, ABC Needs, Workload Sustainability, Systemic Stress Resilience, and Values and Team Alignment. Paula also addresses the deeper root causes of workplace stress, such as unmanageable workloads, lack of recognition, and organizational unfairness.

Listen For

00:00 Introduction 00:08 Workplace wellbeing overview 00:42 Podcast welcome and live events 01:30 About the book Flexible Leadership 01:57 Guest introduction – Paula Davis 04:41 Paula's journey and burnout story 06:21 Why the book matters now 08:34 Why focus on mindsets 10:11 People and performance focus 13:08 Research insights on high-performing organizations 15:05 Root causes of stress and disengagement 16:21 Six root causes explained 20:15 Why these issues matter more today 21:20 Overview of the five mindsets 22:06 Sticky recognition and mattering 24:29 ABC needs: Autonomy, Belonging, Challenge 25:23 Workload sustainability 28:27 Systemic stress resilience 30:15 Summary: human and teaming practices 31:12 What Paula does for fun 32:37 Book recommendation 34:01 Where to find Paula and the book 35:03 Final thoughts and call to action 

Paula's Story: Paula Davis JD, MAPP, is the author of Lead Well: Five Mindsets to Engage, Retain and Inspire your Team. She is the founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute. For 15 years, she has been a trusted advisor to leaders in organizations of all sizes helping them to make work better. Paula is a globally recognized expert on the effects of workplace stress, burnout prevention, workplace well-being, and building resilience for individuals and teams. Paula left her law practice after seven years and earned a master’s degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also the author of Beating Burnout at Work: Why Teams Hold the Secret to Well-Being & Resilience, which was nominated for best new book by the Next Big Idea Club. Paula has shared her expertise at educational institutions such as Harvard Law School, Wharton School Executive Education, and Princeton. She is a two-time recipient of the distinguished teaching award from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has been featured in and on The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post and many other media outlets. Paula is also a contributor to Forbes, Fast Company and Psychology Today.

https://stressandresilience.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/

https://www.instagram.com/stressandresilience/

https://x.com/pauladavisSRI

 

This Episode is brought to you by...

Flexible Leadership is every leader’s guide to greater success in a world of increasing complexity and chaos. 

 

 

Book Recommendations

• Lead Well: 5 Mindsets to Engage, Retain, and Inspire Your Team by Paula Davis
• Beating Burnout at Work: Why Teams Hold the Secret to Well-Being and Resilience by Paula Davis
• Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward 

Like this?

• The Leader's Role in Employee Engagement with Michael Lee Stallard
• Understanding Employee Engagement with Jacqueline Throop-Robinson
• Beating Burnout at Work with Paula Davis
• A Practical Guide for Building Engagement with Brian Hartzer

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