Editor's Note: Click here to join us at 1 pm EST on Wednesday, December 11 as we share the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Talk Saves Lives program.
As leaders, we often focus on supporting the professional development of our team members—providing training, mentorship, and opportunities for career growth. But there’s another crucial element to effective leadership that we must not overlook: showing up for the whole person. While the workplace demands professionalism and expertise, we must also be tuned into the emotional, mental, and personal challenges that our employees face both inside and outside of the credit union. This is not only important for fostering a healthy, productive team, but it is also vital for supporting mental well-being, particularly as we approach the holiday season.
Leadership is about more than setting strategic goals and overseeing daily operations. At its core, it’s about supporting individuals to grow, thrive, and feel valued. This means taking the time to understand their personal circumstances, challenges, and aspirations. It requires a focus on the whole person—not just their professional capabilities.
Credit unions are known for fostering strong community ties, and that same sense of community should be reflected internally. People come to work with a variety of personal experiences and struggles that can impact their performance, engagement, and overall well-being. By recognizing this and providing holistic support, leaders can create a more resilient and engaged workforce.
While offering professional development opportunities is essential, personal growth should be equally prioritized. A critical area of focus is resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity and manage stress effectively. Resilience is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed with the right support, tools, and mindset.
Leaders can develop resilience in their teams by encouraging self-awareness, promoting work-life balance, and offering resources that support effective stress management skills. Leadership training should not only address workplace skills but also emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and stress management techniques. Leaders who model these skills themselves help create a culture where employees feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed.
As we approach the holiday season, it’s important to recognize that this time of year, while festive and joyous for many, can also bring additional stress, worry, and challenges. For some, the pressure to meet end-of-year work expectations, along with financial strain, family obligations, and other personal struggles, can exacerbate mental health concerns.
In fact, studies show that stress levels often peak during the holiday season due to a combination of work-related pressures and personal stressors. Anxiety, depression, and feelings of burnout are common during this time, making it all the more essential for leaders to step in with empathy and support.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our teams is the ability to prioritize their mental health. This goes beyond simply offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs); it’s about fostering a culture where mental well-being is valued and supported. This doesn’t mean that leaders need to become mental health experts themselves; rather, it’s about ensuring that employees have access to the right tools and support. Building a workplace where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health is a significant step toward reducing stigma and creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
