90. Stronger Than Stigma: Mental Health in the Workplace - Ian Adair

Professional DevelopmentMental HealthLeadership

Mar 15

Written By Julie Confer

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Overview

Meet Ian. This three-time nonprofit Executive Director is taking his two favorite topics - leadership and mental health - and he's putting together and facing its stigma right in the eye. You know we're crazily clapping for the front row. He's talking about why leaders must be culture caretakers of their organizations. Tune in if you want to help your leader get there, or just tune in if you'd like to be an incredible leader in the future. We need more Culture Caretakers in our sector!

Today’s Guest

Ian M. Adair, Executive Director, TEDx Speaker, and Author of Stronger Than Stigma

“Managers have to remember that it’s their job now to take care of their people more than just their bottom line.”

— Ian M. Adair, Author, Stronger Than Stigma

Episode Transcript

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Episode Highlights

Ian’s background and journey to where he is today (2:00)
Ian’s mental health journey and story (5:32)
The landscape of mental health today (8:42)
How COVID has shaped these conversations around mental health (13:14)
Training to show empathy and concern (18:30)
Tips for individuals feeling stressed and how we can best check in on each other (23:19)
Mental illness is the number one reason for loss productivity and absenteeism (31:55)
Ian’s Book - Stronger Than Stigma: A Call To Action: Stories of Grief, Loss, and Inspiration (34:00)
Ian’s One Good Thing: In everything you do, provide value. (43:05)

Powerful Quotes:

“Like so many people, I felt stigma about it, and I didn’t talk about it. Now I realized it really is more of a superpower in a way.” -Ian

“When you’re going through something, you feel isolated, you feel like you’re the only one in the world that’s going through it.” -Ian

“We really have to turn it around, and get the conversation around mental illness and addiction to become more open and public for every day people.” -Ian

“It causes you a moment to look at your current situation and strategy towards meeting your goals. Is that going to work no matter how long this pandemic goes?” -Ian

“There’s a lot of leaders out there running organizations that just have not had the training to understand what today’s workforce wants and needs.” -Ian

“It’s going to come down to leadership, training their managers and supervisors to show empathy and concern.” -Ian

“Things like caring about mental health and wellness are being used to attract top talent because people want to go somewhere where they can feel that they have a voice, and where they can be themselves.” -Ian

“70% of the workforce is made up of Gen-Z and millennials.” -Ian

“I love that these generations are going to be demanding this because it gives me hope for the future in terms of our mental health as we go to work.” -Ian

“Managers have to remember that it’s their job now to take care of their people more than just their bottom line.” -Ian

“We’re working an additional 3 hours more in our remote positions, and for nonprofit professionals we constantly feel that we have to be available all the time.” -Ian

“As managers, supervisors, executive directors, and team leads, we need to encourage our people to take care of themselves, and we need to actually find resources for them to understand the importance of self care.” -Ian

“Self care should be a part of what you’re fighting for with your job.” -Ian

“Mental illness is the number one reason for loss productivity and absenteeism.” -Ian

“You don’t have to guess people are suffering out there, you know they are. So what are you going to do about it?” -Ian

“We have to start talking about people’s stories of lived experience and recovery.” -Ian

“We’re all impacted by mental health.” -Becky

What Current and Future Employees are Looking For: