Wellness: The Future of Workplace

Modern leaders embrace a well-being company culture

“When a company’s culture is strong, mental wellbeing is promoted, and employees perform at a high level.  No matter what business you’re in—retail or finance, tech or manufacturing—the people who work together to drive your company forward matter just as much as your customers”.  According to statistics, motivated employees are more than 85% less likely to leave an organization compared to unmotivated employees. So, inspire your people, and let's begin creating a wellness workplace.

5 Pillars of Well-being Culture

1. Cultivate a Leadership Mindset

Today’s work environment has changed substantially; it now requires a leadership approach.  If you’re a Marketer, I’m pretty sure that you have heard a lot about the “4Ps of Marketing,” that in years later, a fifth one was added, which means people.  Definitely, I believe this is the most important one. Every business relationship begins with people; it’s all about others.  As John Maxwell used to say, “Connecting is key; to connect with others, you must be intentional about it, and the best leaders are always excellent connectors”. Cultivating a leadership culture is crucial to achieving the success of your company; your people want to feel that their work has significance.  In other words, the most critical asset in your company always will be your people; empower them.

2. Invest in High-Potential (HIPO) Employees

Imagine that you’re in the construction business, and you need to build a house. During the process, one of your primary tasks will be to identify the structural columns, which are responsible for supporting the property's weight. These columns are crucial for ensuring the stability and safety of the structure; these columns are the foundation.  Have you had the opportunity to identify the people who represent the foundation in your company?

Indeed, your company's foundation is equivalent to high-potential employees. And these are the people you must invest in.  As a primary recommendation, I suggest holding an honest and transparent evaluation meeting, which includes communicating their strong capabilities and their most significant opportunities for improvement. Second, mentor them through periodic meetings with you (don't delegate this task). Third, design their career plan, including coaching or educational opportunities if required. Remember, you want this person to represent your company's core values, and this is a crucial aspect of a successful succession plan; move your people to do things they never thought they could.

3. Prioritize in a Wellness Program

During my years working in Belcorp, representing the Caribbean region. I had the opportunity to participate in executive meetings and report department results to Eduardo Belmont, the company founder. People who knows him understand the opportunity and challenge of meeting with him. Every person who speaks about a story with him, used to smile; he is an inspirational leader.  When you met him for the first time, he used to ask three common questions: 1. Tell me about your numbers (the department you report to)?  2. What do you bring to Belcorp (as a contribution)? and 3. What kind of sport or discipline you used to practice? He was always very interested in knowing if their people practiced any wellness activity.

A wellness lifestyle foments a healthy and productive workplace. Additionally, to improve your physical and mental health. Indeed, I must admit that many creative ideas that came to me during my workout hours have transformed into successful projects.  In Modern organizations, well-being remains one of the key performance indicators (KPIs) that continue to resonate in People & Culture departments. Today’s companies are employing innovative methods to motivate their employees to adopt a culture of wellness.  

For instance, as part of a pilot plan, you will begin modifying the office work schedule to promote wellness activation every Friday in the afternoon during the summer season. So, imagine an internal campaign like “The Gym is my Happy Hour”  with your team.  Another alternative is to request the services of companies like Plus One, which offers innovative wellness solutions for employers. These solutions include the design and development of wellness spaces in offices, fitness centers, nutrition services, and wellness coaching to help workplaces create a culture of health. 

4. Highlight Recognition Initiatives

Recognition initiatives are a crucial part of promoting a healthy work environment. It’s about adding value to people, but it’s important to highlight that recognizing a fantastic job will not always come as a gift or bonus because a lot of the time, by just saying  “thank you for your work, we feel grateful to have you in our team”, it will be enough.  Modern leadership culture emphasizes the development of a recognition plan. We are well aware of the Employee of the Year concept, but what about to work on a creative plan? One of the universal activities that people most love, it’s “entertainment”. And, listening to music is the most popular activity.

So, imagine agreeing with an entertainment company to provide you employees complimentary tickets to diverse concerts throughout the year as part of the recognition agenda; it's the type of activity that people enjoy the most. However, if your budget is limited, consider this initiative as part of an incentive program that includes your sales team. Ultimately, this could be a great integration activity for your company overall. Would you like to test?  Go beyond and create an experience that everyone enjoys.

LinkedIn Atlanta

5. Design a Productive Workplace

Design a workspace supposed to reflect your company's brand—however, imagine the same workplace that elevates all the senses, creating emotional connections, comfort, and a productive environment that communicates well-being.  A great example of this workplace is RIVA Spain headquarters in Miami. A hardwood flooring company that offers innovative surface solutions. The magic in their office is that during a walkthrough in a beautiful Biophilicdesign, you will breathe in their company's ADN; wood.  In fact, I can confirm this because I was part of the project.

Certainly, Gensler, a top architectural firm recognized as one of the world's innovative companies, provides new ways to enhance the future of work. Additionally, they have been pioneers in developing the Workplace Performance Index (WPIx). This online diagnostic tool measures workplace performance, empowering clients to make informed design decisions and understand the impact in their workspace. To understand more about it, read the following insightful survey by their research institute Global Workplace Survey 2024.

Discover Gensler’s 2025 do's and don'ts

trends for a better workplace

• In: Immersive Environments | Out: Instagrammable Moments.

  Engage all the senses.

  
  

• In: Participation | Out: Presence

  Be fully present and involved. Create workplaces where employees are inspired to bring their A-game every day.

  
  

• In: Ours | Out: Mine

  Emphasize a more dynamic and supportive workplace for all.

Gensler, San Francisco

• In: Workpoints | Out: Desks

  Letting employees pick the perfect spot for their task (or mood), whether it’s a quiet corner for deep focus, a collaborative area for team meetings, or a comfy lounge for casual check-ins.

• In: Team Personalities | Out: Org Chart Seating Plans

  The shift to sitting with teams that share similar workstyles is an emerging trend aimed at boosting productivity and sense of community.

  
  

• In: Authentically Local | Out: Global Standards

  Companies are embracing authentically local designs reflecting the unique culture and vibe of each office location.  This shift boosts employee morale and fosters a deeper connection with the community.

  
  

• In: Connector | Out: Insulator

  Companies are now designing spaces that engage and enrich the local community.  By embracing their communities, these workplaces contribute to the overall vitality and resilience of their neighborhood.

  Engage all the senses.

To learn more about Gensler workplace trends, click the original article by Janet Pogue McLaurin and Louis Schump 10 Workplace Trends for 2025: What’s In and What’s Out?

Sources by O.C.Tanner, Gensler & Forbes Magazine.

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