Mastering Management: Strategies for Success and Mental Wellness

As leaders and managers, we’re always aiming for peak performance—that's a given, but what if we could achieve that while also supporting the mental well-being of our teams?

Sounds like a game-changer, right?

We recently dove into this topic with an incredible lineup on LinkedIn Live during Strategies for a Healthier Workplace: Mental Wellness in Management and Leadership. The panel featured Marisa Stoltzfus (HR Exec), Soulaimane Bentaleb (CEO of Neuron), Dr. Ryan Curl (Behavioral Scientist), and Sharon Lee (Creative Ops Coordinator).

In our discussion we touched on today’s workplace and how mastering management and leadership is all about finding that perfect balance—driving results while creating an environment that fosters and acknowledges mental health. Our panelists contributed tremendously!

It’s about making sure our teams not only thrive in their work but also feel energized and supported in their day-to-day experiences.

To make this happen, we need to think strategically and incorporate work-life balance into our performance expectations. That means setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that measure both productivity and well-being—because success shouldn’t come at the cost of burnout!

Here are some KPIs that will empower you to lead with impact, ensuring your team delivers results while maintaining a healthy balance:

1. Employee Productivity vs. Hours Worked

• KPI: Measure output per hour rather than total hours worked.
• Goal: Ensure high productivity without encouraging excessive overtime.
• Why it Matters: This encourages efficient work habits and discourages burnout, supporting both performance and work-life balance.

2. Achievement of Personal and Team Goals

• KPI: Track individual and team goal completion, with flexibility in how goals are achieved.
• Goal: Allow employees to manage their workload effectively while meeting objectives.
• Why it Matters: Autonomy in managing goals gives employees the flexibility to align their work with their personal life, promoting a healthier balance.

3. Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

• KPI: Regularly measure employee engagement through surveys and pulse checks, including questions on work-life balance.
• Goal: Strive for a high engagement score, particularly in areas related to personal well-being.
• Why it Matters: Happy, engaged employees are more productive and less likely to burn out, making work-life balance a key contributor to performance.

4. PTO and Break Utilization

• KPI: Track the number of vacation days and breaks employees take versus those allocated.
• Goal: Encourage employees to use their full PTO and take regular breaks.
• Why it Matters: Regular time off and breaks are crucial for mental health and sustaining long-term productivity.

5. Absenteeism and Turnover Rates

• KPI: Monitor absenteeism and turnover rates, particularly linked to stress or burnout.
• Goal: Keep these rates low, indicating a healthy work environment.
• Why it Matters: High turnover or absenteeism can indicate an imbalance in work-life harmony, which can directly impact team performance.

6. Time Management and Deadline Adherence

• KPI: Measure employees’ ability to meet deadlines without consistently working after hours.
• Goal: Ensure timely completion of work while keeping after-hours work to a minimum.
• Why it Matters: Effective time management within regular working hours promotes balance and sustained productivity.

7. Flexibility and Remote Work Utilization

• KPI: Track how employees use flexible or remote working options and their resulting performance.
• Goal: Ensure productivity remains high while allowing employees to adjust their work location or hours to better suit personal needs.
• Why it Matters: Offering flexibility supports work-life balance and boosts employee morale, ultimately improving performance.

8. Wellness Program Participation

• KPI: Monitor employee participation in wellness programs, workshops, or mental health resources.
• Goal: Encourage at least 75% participation in these programs.
• Why it Matters: Active participation in wellness programs can improve mental health and energy levels, directly contributing to productivity and reducing burnout.

9. Collaboration and Communication Effectiveness

• KPI: Assess how efficiently teams communicate and collaborate within normal working hours.
• Goal: Reduce the need for after-hours communication while maintaining high collaboration quality.
• Why it Matters: Efficient communication reduces stress, enhances team productivity, and helps maintain a work-life balance.

10. Work-Life Balance Feedback

• KPI: Include work-life balance as a recurring theme in performance reviews and feedback sessions.
• Goal: Ensure regular discussions around how employees feel about their work-life balance and adjust workloads as necessary.
• Why it Matters: Proactively addressing work-life balance ensures managers and employees are aligned in maintaining both productivity and well-being.

By integrating these KPIs into your performance management and leadership strategy, you can create an environment that not only drives results but also prioritizes the long-term mental and physical health of your employees, leading to sustainable success and business longevity.

If your company needs support with KPI management and leadership training, or additional development, we encourage you to explore our management programs and reach out for support at info@managementcues.org.