{"id":251,"date":"2022-06-07T14:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T14:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenkey.newwebsitepreview.co.uk\/?p=251"},"modified":"2026-05-26T11:38:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T11:38:28","slug":"walk-your-talk-developing-a-healthier-work-environment-and-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenkey.newwebsitepreview.co.uk\/?p=251","title":{"rendered":"Walk your Talk: developing a healthier work environment and workforce."},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

I recently attended the Daily Standard SME Expo in conjunction with Water Cooler \u201cConnecting Workplace Wellbeing Solutions.\u201d Hats off to the organisers for this excellent event that gathered together many experts from different fields to discuss, debate and deliver thoughts, ideas and opinions on different topics related to workplace wellbeing as well as to answer the most urgent questions facing SME\u2019s today. Out of this event has come my latest blog about developing a healthier work environment and workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many years ago as a junior member of the management team at the Elangeni hotel in Durban, South Africa I was constantly reminded by my then General Manager to \u201cWalk my Talk.\u201d As I remember this phrase was never really explained to me, but it is pretty straight forward that \u201cWalking your Talk\u201d is doing what you say showing an example to your team members of how to interact with customers, treat each other, carry out your job role professionally etc. While I don’t think this has changed, nor should it, in the new business environment for leaders and team members perhaps it is time for \u201cwalking your talk\u201d to take on a broader meaning?<\/span><\/p>\n

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“According to the World Health Organization, poor worker mental health will cost the global economy $1 trillion this year. Without intervention, 122 billion working days \u2014 or 500 million years of work \u2014 will be lost between now and 2030.”<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n


<\/span><\/i>I don\u2019t know about you, but it is unlikely that I will live 500 million years! Joking aside, in order to address workplace health, the current paradigm has to change. Leaders are being called on and challenged to come up with creative ways to inspire and lead others in the process of achieving company vision and goals. Taking a simplistic approach to health we know that sound health and wellbeing \u2013 the feeling of being well, the feeling that you are ready to embrace the world and what it has to offer, the sense that you are part of something greater that is both miraculous and inspiring leading to all the energy you need to fulfil your life there has to firstly be love for yourself and the many roles you play \u2013 mother, father, son, daughter, aunt, bus driver, engineer, programmer, customer account manager and so on as well as, love for your job and the company in which you work.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>Team members and employees always want to do a good job, it is human nature to feel valued for who you are and what you contribute, therefore returning to the office has to offer something new \u2013 an environment that is fun, creative and a comfortable place to be. In other words, it has to create the state that organisations want their employees to be and to achieve. Going into the office to answer emails, no longer makes any sense as that can be done at the home office. Therefore, what does the new office environment need to offer?<\/span><\/p>\n