Why healthy management actually is “healthy”

You are probably well aware of why the types of behaviors on the left are not health promoting – maybe you have remembered and re-experienced how your blood rushed to your head and your heart beat speeded up when you were shouted at by your manager. Or you remembered how insecure you felt when your boss spoke to you ironically. It makes tension rise and the body react noticeably, such as with stomach pain.

On the other hand, management behavior is actually able to strengthen physical and mental health. It is known for instance that work ability increases in particular in older employees if they are satisfied with their supervisor’s leadership behavior.

Through appreciation, recognition and social support (this means being available, giving encouragement, allowing mistakes) leaders are able to promote their employees’ mental health. Thus, you have options to act even if you can’t change much concerning your employees’ actual work demands.

In a first step you may and should start with yourself by taking good care of yourself. Because only if you feel relatively well yourself, will you be able to take care of your employees.