TODAY’S NEWS. TOMORROW’S INSIGHTS.A daily newsletter from McKinsey & Company
Brought to you by Liz Hilton Segel, chief client officer and managing partner, global industry practices, & Homayoun Hatami, managing partner, global client capabilities
Management metamorphosis. Employees’ biggest sources of stress could be sitting at the next desk: their manager. An analysis of more than 50 studies on leadership style shows that transformational leadership (tailoring work to individual needs) and destructive leadership (hostile and aggressive) had the strongest effect on employee well-being. Focusing on making leaders better can be just as effective as stress-reduction programming—and may reduce the need to log into that meditation app. [Scientific American]
Alone in the crowd. Remote and hybrid work can exacerbate loneliness, but in-person work limits the autonomy and flexibility employees crave. Coworking spaces—rich with diversity of experience from people in different industries, low-pressure opportunities for socializing, and freedom from the pressure of interacting with people who can make or break your career—may be a good middle ground. Educating employees about coworking options and providing a stipend for coworking costs can help workers feel more connected and productive. [HBR]
Well-being at work. Efforts to increase overall well-being at work have come a long way, but many employees are still struggling. Research by McKinsey partner Erica Coe and colleagues finds that workers who report at least one mental-health challenge are three times more likely to report low job satisfaction. Employers who take a broader approach to what constitutes health—like social connection, having a sense of purpose, and healthy aging—can contribute to employees’ longevity and quality of life.
What employees need. A greater understanding of employees’ needs, both at work and at home, can increase happiness, longevity, and productivity. For example, sleep deprivation can hinder EQ, creativity, and the ability to problem solve. Understanding four dimensions of health, including the often-overlooked aspects such as social inclusion and spiritual health, can help organizations support a productive and healthy workforce.
— Edited by Gwyn Herbein, editor, Atlanta
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