We were pleased to welcome attendees to our first Mindful Employer Network event this week - a collaboration between Swindon Borough Council, Business West, and Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind. With Mental Health Awareness Week approaching in May, the focus on workplace stress was particularly timely.
Understanding Workplace Stress
Lynette from Swindon Mind opened the session with an engaging look at stress recognition and management. She introduced the "spoon theory" to illustrate how daily tasks deplete our finite energy reserves, emphasizing that stress manifests in observable ways like irritability, withdrawal, or overworking. Her powerful bridge analogy resonated: "We wouldn't ignore cracks in a bridge - why do we often miss the signs in our people?"
Energy and Work Styles
Dr. John Mervyn-Smith then explored how different personalities engage with work. Using the GC Index model, he explained how roles aligned with natural strengths (like Strategists who solve complex problems or Polishers who perfect details) lead to better engagement and less stress. The session highlighted that mismatched roles create unnecessary friction that can lead to burnout.
Practical Wellbeing Strategies
John Lewis of JL Mindset Performance closed with actionable advice for maintaining wellbeing, introducing the ANGELS framework - a simple but powerful daily practice:
- Affirmations: Start the day with positive self-talk (e.g., "I am capable of handling challenges")
- Normalise: Accept that difficult days happen and don't mean failure
- Gratitude: Note 3 things you're thankful for each morning
- Example-setting: Model the wellbeing behaviours you want to see in others
- Language: Monitor negative self-talk and reframe it positively
- Smile: Activate feel-good hormones through smiling and positive interactions
He also demonstrated the 4-4-4 breathing technique (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4) as an effective stress-relief tool that can be used anywhere, anytime.
Key Takeaways from the Day
- Recognise stress through behavioural changes like withdrawal or irritability
- Align roles with employees' natural work styles
- Implement the ANGELS framework for daily wellbeing
- Use 4-4-4 breathing for immediate stress relief
- Address conflicts through structured communication
Next Steps
Presentation slides are available here and you can download the Levels of Change tool here for those who missed the event or want to revisit the content.
Our next session on June 4th will focus on Inclusive & Resilient Workplaces: Supporting LGBTQ+ & Neurodiversity, make sure you register to attend.
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