"What's important is you"

I dedicate this post to my incredible colleagues, those who hold a special place in their hearts and minds for the colour purple and green. Just as much as I do.

So while my story this year is one of personal devastation, there’s a small sliver of light being shined by my colleagues, and without it, I would truly be in the dark.

Over the last few years, mental health and total well-being in the workplace has taken centre stage (as deserved) and by now, we know focusing on this important topic is an always-on commitment we all play a role in shaping.

It’s officially Canadian Mental Health Week, a time of year focused on inspiring us to think about our collective well-being and this year’s theme is “My Story”, a theme that invites Canadians to share their story of support, thanks, or hope from their own mental health journey and help others find connection and community.

Thinking of my own story, I’m using this week to reflect on mental health and well-being in the workplace because it’s a place I enjoy being in – and so fortunate for the one I’m in. Here’s why: my family and I are currently experiencing a life-changing moment and if it wasn’t for my colleagues, I know it would be that much harder to navigate it.   

Researchers maintain mental health in the workplace refers to employees’ psychological, emotional, and social well-being within a shared work environment. All of which contribute to unwavering health both at the organizational and individual level. A workplace that supports good mental health is one where team members know what’s expected of them, can come forward with ideas and concerns, work with respect and consideration, give and get appreciation, and above all else, are supported with unwavering understanding to focus on what matters most both at work and outside of work.

In my case, my dad is gravely ill and I’ve been helping my family as I can. In turn, my remarkable colleagues have rallied behind me to keep upcoming projects and ideas flowing, and are backing me up in strength during this difficult time. From kind texts, to jumping in on email replies, to quick phone calls, to sending food to my parents’ home in Ottawa, the outpouring of kindness means so much.

Organizational theory and research on leadership and team culture over the past decade demonstrates that a team member’s well-being is correlated with not just meaningful work, but meaningful experiences and relationships shared with those in their networks. To be healthy is to be whole, and when stress, worry, or angst is troubling a colleague, small gestures of support do add up.

As one of my colleague’s put it this week when I called to check in, “Elena, we’re here to keep the glass balls in the air, and the rubber ones, well, those can just bounce on as they’re not important right now. What’s important is you.”

What’s important is you. Four words that truly got me right in the heart.

Yes we have a business to run. We have team members to take care of, community contributions to make, and customers to proudly serve. But in this very instance, despite it all, my colleagues are lightening the load for me, giving me the space to just focus on the inner dealings of my personal world.  

Photo shows me with a few of my direct colleagues - incredible humans!

Earlier this year I talked about this in my podcast series, Sturdy Glass Sponges; that we have such an influence on the environments we spend our time in. In my case, 2023 is shaping up to be one of the most defining years of my life and when I think of the people who are making it easier to breathe, I immediately and wholeheartedly think about the people whom I work with.

So while my story this year is one of personal devastation, there’s a small sliver of light that’s helping me see and without it, I would truly be in the dark. My colleagues from across our organization, whom I do consider such great and trusted friends, are supporting my mental health by removing all personal worry that I’m missing things, and assuring me that all is ok (which it is) and that they have my back (which they do).

To quote my dad, whom I’ve been spending every day with and reminiscing about his own incredible career in the telecom space, “We spend every day, for on average 40 years, with people we admire and respect to deliver incredible work. Our colleagues see us at our best and at our worst and yet, if we’re truly lucky, they stand behind us through it all. And for this, we become our best version of ourselves because along the way, others believe and rally for us.”

He's never wrong. Never has. Never will be.