There are many ways to exhale, and one particularly helpful one is cleaning out the unnecessary and outdated information in our brains. Like a spring clean in our house or car, a cleanout of the mind requires taking time and reflecting on all aspects of life to see where you are at right now. When looking at the five pillars of health (social, emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual), the exhale starts by reviewing all five aspects. Looking and rate each pillar from one to five (5 being the best); how well do you think you are doing the following?

When completing the rating, try to avoid comparison or judgment and just take some time to sit down and think. If you prefer pen and paper, use an exercise book to write down each pillar and its rating. Then list ideas of what may need to happen next with the above categories. Have a think about what is in balance in your life, what you are generally drawn to and what helps you heal – this may be a road map to assist you to see what you can do more of to get all five to a rating of 5.

Taking the time to reflect on how you process what is happening in the world and in your close environment (colleagues, family, and friends) is a big part of the exhale. Thinking about your approach to people and how you interact with them is a way to move after a big event. The reason being that those who are self-aware appear to have more empathy towards others; they are better listeners, can think more critically and report that their decision making improves. These all appear to be useful skills in a post-pandemic world.

If you are not sure where to start with your life audit, improving your wellbeing or would like some suggestions on how to self-reflect, start with our app, AccessMyEAP. Inside it has a wellbeing tracker that allows us to keep an eye on how we are carrying out our day-to-day wellbeing. Also, our friendly and supportive clinicians can also assist you with face to face, video or phone appointments focussing on self-reflection, growth or wellbeing. Contact Newport & Wildman on 1800 650 204.

AccessMyEAP:

We all know logically that time is a finite resource. Yet many of us live as if it can be stretched so that we can fit more and more into a 24-hour day.  Sometimes we sacrifice sleep so we can get more done. Or we live our life imaging we can fit more in than we actually can, so we spend a lot of time rushing to complete tasks that actually need more time or apologising when we miss a deadline.

When we don’t manage our time and energy well, life can feel out of control, and we are constantly chasing our own tail. On the other hand, when we do manage these resources well, we find we can better prioritise, have a better balance in life both at work and outside of it, and have more time to relax, unwind, and do things that are simply fun, adding to our enjoyment and wellbeing.

Time management is something we can learn and improve. It can be defined as “the decision-making process that structures, protects, and adjusts the way we spend our time.” There are three key skills to do this well.

• Awareness: we think realistically about time by understanding that it is a limited resource.
  • This includes bringing self-awareness to how we prefer to schedule our time. Do we like to have thinking time first thing in the morning or later in the day? When do we prefer to do our regular admin tasks? It’s better to organise the day so it fits with the way we work most effectively. Being aware of time can help us act more autonomously, rather than simply reacting to others’ demands.
• Arrangement: design and organise goals, plans, schedules and tasks to effectively use the time that is available.
  • The urgent-important matrix is a way to think about priorities. The horizontal axis goes from urgent on the left to not urgent on the right. The vertical axis runs from important at the top to not important at the bottom. Arrange tasks in this matrix to help decide how to organise your time. For example, anything that is urgent and important is prioritised. Anything that is not urgent and not important is put at the end of the to-do list, or perhaps let go.
• Adaptation: monitor use of time while carrying out activities, including adjusting for interruptions and any changes in priority.
  • For example, try to reduce the errors made in estimating how long something will take; break down long-term challenging goals into smaller parts that are easier to achieve one at a time over shorter periods of time; create do-not-disturb time slots for concentrated effort.

Being more organised with time management takes discipline and effort – you may need to create new time-management habits. Also, note if there is any emotional pay-off from not organising yourself well. For example, If you leave things till the last minute, do you get an adrenaline rush when you make it over the finish-line just in time?  You might have to give this up if you want to be more time-organised.

Counselling support can help you to identify when stress and anxiety may be affecting your time management skills and how to move forward. Start now and benefit from this free and confidential service. Call Newport & Wildman on 1800 650 204. 

As managers and leaders discuss and plan for a transition back to the workplace, many of us may be starting to think and experience a range of feelings at the thought of what this means. We also recognise the many people that have continued to go to the workplace over the last two years.  All our thoughts and feelings during these uncertain times are normal as we are all different, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. For those of us who may be feeling a little anxious or uncertain about returning to the workplace, here are some ideas to think about while you are preparing for the transition:

1.  Acknowledge your feelings and anxieties. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to process your feelings. Do not judge yourself and tell yourself how you “should” be feeling.

2. Identify your concerns and think about what you can control and what is out of your control. Focus on what you can control, e.g. how will I manage being around more people? What can I do to keep safe? Plan and think about what will help you.

3. Take it day by day - you are not returning to “normal” there may not be a normal like it was. Recognising that things will be different is important. Try to go slow and avoid doing too much. Give yourself time to adjust, share stories and talk about how you are feeling. This is reassuring and helps with the awkwardness of the transition, which doesn't feel normal or comfortable yet.

4. Ask your manager for information, ask questions, share your concerns, connect with peers and share problem-solving. Others are probably feeling similarly, and there is comfort in sharing and problem solving together.

5. Remember your self-care routines which helped you before, regular breaks, eat healthily, get exercise, sleep well, engage in enjoyable activities and relaxation. And importantly, with the easing of physical distancing restrictions connect socially (and safely) with people who are important to you.

6. If you continue to struggle, ask for help from your peers, friends, family or a professional.

Remember, as your EAP, we are here to support you whatever the nature of your concerns. For a confidential conversation with one of our experienced clinical professionals, please contact Newport & Wildman on 1800 605 204.

Harmony Week on the 21st-27th of March, celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Harmony Day which falls on the 21st of March coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

With around 45 per cent of Australians born overseas or with at least one parent who was, Harmony Week has always been a popular way for workplaces to showcase and acknowledge their cultural diversity. Celebrating Harmony Week can take any form you wish – big or small, simple or challenging. Events can be a simple multicultural morning tea or a guest speaker at an all staff meeting. It creates an opportunity to think, talk about and recognise how our differences and our similarities make our workplace stronger.

For more information see the Harmony Week Website.

One of our favourite ways to celebrate at Newport & Wildman is over food! Whether that means bringing in different cultural dishes or sharing recipes, it's always such a wonderful time to learn something new about your colleagues and of course try some amazing food!

In March we celebrate International Women's Day, Harmony Week and many more but we encourage you to celebrate and implement diversity and inclusion in the workplace across all of March and throughout the year. To support you through this, below are a reminder of two great resources.

National LGBTI Health Alliance
Inclusive Language Guide: Respecting people of intersex, trans and gender diverse experience 

Learn how to use inclusive language in a respectful way with this Inclusive Language Guide

Universal Music UK
Creative Differences: A handbook for embracing neurodiversity in the creative industries

Learn about neurodiversity, which refers to the infinite variation in cognitive functioning that can lead to differences in thinking, attention and memory. The handbook explores the experiences of people with specific facets of neurodiversity such as ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and Tourette Syndrome.

To arrange a counselling session, please contact Newport & Wildman on 1800 650 204.

How many of us can truthfully say that we regularly feel fully rested and refreshed after the last few years we’ve had? Many people often underestimate the importance of sleep to our overall mental health and wellbeing.

We know we need sleep but how do we get a good night's sleep? 

It's important to have sufficient, regular, good quality sleep so we can function effectively in our busy lives and help to maintain strong, robust immune systems. The importance of short “nana naps” cannot be underestimated, as well as short, still “zone out times” during the day to help us to refresh our brains and bodies. If we review our sleep pattern there are probably some small things we can do to make our routine healthier – and we’re likely to then be surprised by the difference they make.

Some Useful Tips

• Aim to go to bed at a similar time as often as you can so you can have enough hours to help repair and heal the body from the stressors of the previous day.
• Spend a quiet period immediately prior to turning in to help your body and mind settle. That means no phones, tv, tablets etc.
• A warm bath or shower before bed can trick the body into calming down, loosening.
• Get to know your body and the effects of alcohol, spicy food and other stimulants too close to your bedtime.
• Darkening the room so your body automatically prepares itself for rest can be helpful.
• If you regularly wake up during the night and have difficulty falling back to sleep, remember that it may help to get up, have some water or a soothing tea, sit and quietly breathe, rather than lying in bed tense and frustrated that you are awake. Once we notice you are feeling more soothed and settled return to bed.
• Some people find it helps to read for a while or have a shower before trying again. It is to do with interrupting the pattern of tension and trying something different that may help to soothe your mind and body.

It is worth formulating your own list of practical, healthy, accessible, common sense ways to soothe your body and mind, so you can get optimised times of rest and rejuvenation.

Counselling support can help you to identify when stress and anxiety are affecting sleep and how to move forward. Start now and benefit from this free and confidential service. To arrange an appointment, contact us on 1800 650 204.

With a New Year often comes a sense of new beginnings. Many of us start with resolutions for change, to turn over a new leaf, to bring fresh energy to our work and life.

This time of year is a good time to reflect on our mindset. Change is inevitable, but the way we approach it depends very much on our mindset. When we apply a growth mindset to change, we are more likely to discover a way to flourish.

As we continue to adapt and learn to live with COVID our mindset may be challenged, and we may push up against an inner “I can’t”. A growth mindset is framed around relying on and building on our strengths, taking one step at a time, and knowing that the viewpoint we take is always within our control. An “I can’t” may be an indicator that you’ve discovered one of your fixed mindsets. When that happens, it can be worthwhile to first take a step back and assess whether this is actually true; if you then see a possibility that “I can...”, ask yourself, what would be different if you saw this challenge as an indication you’re now learning something new, rather than simply a block that you can’t overcome? Then you might choose to take steps forward and lean into that challenge.

When learning about your different mindsets, the support of a counsellor or coach can be invaluable. You will have a person who listens attentively, without judgement. You will know that your conversation is completely confidential. And you will know that the person you are talking with has your best interests uppermost in their mind. It can be extraordinarily liberating to have conversations like this – when the other person has no agenda other than helping you to find the best possible outcome for you.

So as this work year gets underway, consider calling us and discovering how a counsellor or coach can support you as you work on those resolutions to make positive change in your life and to bring fresh energy to the people and projects that are important to you.

We wish you a productive and energising 2022!

To arrange an appointment, call us on 1800 650 204.

Put yourself in control of your mental health and wellbeing with our monthly Wellbeing Tools. Each quarter you will have access to 3 tip sheets, a connection tool and a wellness spotlight.

This Quarter the wellness spotlight focuses on Mindfulness. Access meditation recordings via the AccessMyEAP App or Employee & Employer Login Areas, designed to help with Mindfulness for Wellbeing.

The 2022 Wellbeing in Focus Calendar is available through the Employer Login Area of the Newport & Wildman website. The Wellbeing Tools will also be added to the Employee Login Area and AccessMyEAP App.

Embedding link: https://vimeo.com/674653378

MYTH 1 - What about Confidentiality? Someone will find out, my boss and colleagues will know.

Although the EAP counselling sessions are paid for by your employer, the counsellors are independent and anything you discuss with a counsellor is confidential unless; there is a risk of harm to you or someone else or disclosure is required by law. While we do need to collect a few details from you when booking your first appointment, your personal information is kept confidential. Newport & Wildman has refused to work with organisations who cannot accept our confidentiality code of conduct. Your organisation respects the privacy and confidentiality of the services provided to you to improve your wellbeing.

MYTH 2 - If I have a problem my friends and family will talk/help me through it.

Although you may receive support from family and friends one difference between speaking with a counsellor and a close friend is that the counsellor has a broad knowledge and understanding of human behaviour. Sometimes it also just helps to speak with someone objective who isn’t emotionally involved with you or the situation.

MYTH 3 - I should see a counsellor only if things get really bad.

It’s better to recognise the warning signs and speak to a counsellor before you feel completely overwhelmed. Often early intervention via professional counselling support leads to better outcomes sooner and keeps you on a healthy track, preventing problems in the future. However, counselling becomes particularly important if you experience:

• Sleep problems and exhaustion
• Loss of appetite
• Depression or anxiety
• Social isolation
• Using food, drugs or alcohol to relax

MYTH 4 - Counsellors only work with people with a mental illness.

Challenging life events happen to us all at some point – no one is immune. Counselling actually helps you deal with life’s everyday problems without waiting for them to become out of control. You may be facing work pressures like managing deadlines, meeting targets and/or handling an office conflict, while finding it hard to fulfil your personal and family commitments. Counselling can also help you address personal issues that may be impacting your ability to do your job well. These can include:

• Relationships
• Stress and anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Grief and loss
• Major life changes
• Parenting issues
• Physical or emotional abuse
• Drugs and alcohol

MYTH 5 - As a leader, I should be able to handle problems on my own – I shouldn’t have to ask for help.

Today’s workplace is complex, leaders are expected to manage difficult situations and people both of which can be quite taxing and tough. Good bosses know that great leadership comes from supporting and developing the best people for the job. Sometimes speaking with a professional can help provide evidence-based tools, structure and objectivity to a situation. The decision-making lies squarely in the hands of the leader but a Newport & Wildman counsellor can give the insights, tools and resources to support your decision making.

If you would like to book an appointment, call Newport & Wildman on 1800 650 204.

Newport & Wildman wishes you all the best for the Festive Season. Please be assured our counselling and onsite services are available 24/7, 365 days a year however our other business functions observe the Australian public holidays and a short break from 25th December to 7th January 2022.

As we reach the end of 2021 there has been an increase in cases in some parts of Australia. It is important to remember that feeling anxious, fearful, stressed, angry or irritable are common and normal feelings during uncertain times like these. It is important to monitor your own physical and mental health during these times. Access our Self-care in the Festive Season blog to download the Self-care and Managing Stress Postcard for signs to watch out for and self-care strategies. 

Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.

We all want to belong, and our workplaces can offer a safe place to carry out meaningful work with people we trust. This sense of belonging has been challenged over the past couple of years with the steps to combat COVID of social distancing and lockdowns.  A sense of social isolation has been felt by many. And now lockdowns are ending, and with high vaccination rates, we are starting to see each other again, in real life.

As we start mixing once more, it’s important to keep in mind that lockdown has affected us all in different ways – everyone is different. For some, it has been incredibly hard, as they battled loneliness and isolation, or perhaps found it hard to juggle the demands of home-schooling, family and work expectations without the break of getting out of the house or going to the office. For others, they happily worked from home. As we reconnect, reaching out in a way that is appropriate to the person’s needs requires a good dose of empathy and listening.

Empathy and listening underpin all healthy workplace cultures and help create a psychologically safe workplace. Being aware and accepting the diversity of opinions, attitudes, and backgrounds helps us become more nuanced in the ways we reach out and interact with others.

I believe inclusion and diversity in a workplace is vital for engagement. Just like in the natural environment, a monoculture of thinking and viewpoints is not healthy or sustainable. The following definition resonates with me: “the difference between diversity and inclusion is that diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance”. Diversity in the workplace refers to a workforce that’s made up of people from different ages, cultural backgrounds, geographies, physical abilities and disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientations. And this diversity brings together people with differing perspectives and thinking styles, preferences and characteristics. Inclusion is the procedures organisations implement to allow differences to coexist in a mutually beneficial way so that employees feel accepted and comfortable, ready to share their opinions and thoughts.

I need my ideas to be challenged and my thinking to be tested by talking with others with differing viewpoints who look at the world in a way that is different from my own. It’s the way I keep my thinking fresh and creative and how I become a better leader. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace help this to happen. Walking the Talk is what makes people believe that an organisation is serious about inclusion. 

As we start to come together again in the workplace, keep in mind the richness in the diversity of those around you – that we all want to be seen, heard and understood. With careful listening and empathy, we can appreciate people’s diversity of experience and backgrounds and encourage creative ideas which can benefit our businesses. This can be our own personal inclusion process as we enjoy the ‘dance’ with our workplace colleagues once more.

Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

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At Newport & Wildman, we wish you all the best for the Festive Season. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and look forward to a brighter 2022.

We would like to thank you for continuing your partnership with us. Through supporting your people through this challenging year, you have helped make the lives of more than just your people a little easier. Please share with us in celebrating the success of the H.O.P.E. Program, supporting vulnerable children & families. Click here to see our latest update!

Please be assured our counselling and onsite services are available 24/7, 365 days a year however, our other business functions observe the Australian public holidays and a short break from 25th December to 7th January 2022.

Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.

This is the month of Movember – named because men around Australia are encouraged to grow moustaches to draw awareness to and raise funds for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, as well as their physical health. Over the years Movember has become a leading charity helping to change the approach to men’s wellbeing. Their aim is to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25% by 2030.

Awareness around Men’s health needs improvement. In Australia, men under 75 are twice as likely as women to die from preventable causes (Falster & Jorm, 2017), and in 2019 men accounted for more than 75% of all suicide deaths (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2020). At AccessEAP and Newport & Wildman, we have over many years cultivated a culture of acceptance, openness and welcoming of vulnerability for all our staff, and, in this month of November, I am proud to see this reflected in the attitudes and interactions I observe in the men who work here. We are aware that there is much still to be done to encourage men in organisations we work with to reach out for assistance, especially mental health support.

How can you help the men you work or live with to focus on their wellbeing? Positive Psychology has some answers. You can encourage all staff to complete the free PERMAH survey. This will result in your people receiving a set of results that highlight their strengths. Research supports that working with our strengths, rather than focusing on improving weaknesses, can be a an effective way to improve wellbeing and effectiveness. And at an organisational level, we can help you work with the PERMAH results. Also effective is encouraging and having conversations around mental health and wellbeing, particularly men’s wellbeing during November. Leading by example, leaders who are more open about their feelings and who don’t need to always be seen to have the answers, or be right, are seen as authentic and encourages others to be more open.  

As I consider, our culture at AccessEAP and Newport & Wildman, I see every day the benefits for all staff of bringing a strengths-based approach to work and life. I also see how a culture of inclusivity of diversity enriches our workplace in so many ways. It helps us all think more broadly, more creatively, and act more compassionately. It helps us challenge assumptions, include differences of opinion, and highlights our value proposition of “making a difference”.  

I am proud to be a part of this organisation and proud of the work we do to support your people to be the best they can be in life and work. For more information and tips to help men reach out in times of need, click here.

Sally Kirkright, AccessEAP CEO

We're here to help

Supporting your organisation to respond to
Domestic and Family Violence during the pandemic

25th November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with White Ribbon Day being observed on Friday, 19th November.

At Newport & Wildman, we strongly support these awareness days, particularly with the severity and frequency of domestic violence reported increasing as a result of the pandemic. Often the workplace is known to provide a safe place for victims of domestic and family violence. Working from home and other restrictions has increased isolation and the natural circuit breaker that leaving the home provides for both victim and perpetrator. Organisations have a vital role to play by raising awareness of this issue, understanding when and how to offer support, and addressing attitudes in the workplace, which perpetuate violence against women.

How we can support you

At Newport & Wildman, we are sensitive to the complexities of Domestic and Family Violence and encourage you to reach out for support especially at this difficult time given the unique pressures created by the pandemic.

Psychological Counselling and 1-1 Support
We have a team of counsellors who are experienced in Domestic and Family Violence support and are available for one to one, in-person, telephone or video counselling 24/7.
Contact us on 1800 650 204

Access the Employer and Employee Login Areas of our website to access COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence Tools.

Live Zoom Training and Webinars
Please contact Newport & Wildman so we can connect you with our Clinical and Organisational Development Teams.

1 in 5 of us experience a mental health issue every year. Mental Health Awareness across October is an opportunity for us to advocate for and raise awareness of mental health. With the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting the lives of our communities, we need to continue to give mental health the focus and attention it deserves.

Organisations that create and harbour a culture of understanding, empathy and trust allow people to be open about the issues impacting their lives. And it is especially important for people with mental health conditions to feel safe and comfortable in discussing their experience and obtaining appropriate support. Please contact the Newport & Wildman Team to discuss what Mental Health Awareness options we have to support you and your people.

Tasmania's Mental Health Week is 9-16th October Awareness, Belonging, Connection, check out their website for some great resources that will help open up the conversation so it continues beyond Mental Health Week.

Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.

Mental Health Week is October 9th-16th, and the 2021 theme is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’.

This year, of course, we have had the stress of COVID and the uncertainty created by lockdowns as a background to all the usual ups and downs of living, along with reading and seeing the regular reports of world events. I certainly need time out for me in the midst of all of this so I can recharge my mental and physical batteries to remain an effective, empathetic leader and a support to my friends and family.

But how do we take time out when we feel so many demands on our time? There are little things we can do every day – and those little things can add up to feeling and being healthier and more resilient in mind and body.

Keeping a routine comes top of my list. Things like going to bed and getting up at around the same time every day helps establish good sleep. Making time for exercise, catching up with friends - FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, calls, texts (or face-to-face if possible) - and doing things that are just plain fun are important for all of us so we can move away from constantly doing and thinking about work or worrying about things we can’t change.

On the topic of having fun, putting together a feel-good toolkit is a great investment in feeding your wellbeing. When you’re in need, you can go to your feel-good toolkit for an emotional lift. It might contain a list of your favourite comforting music, a soft cushion to lie on, a chocolate treat, essential oils, an inspirational book, or a list of quotes. We can be creative about how we can help ourselves feel good. Along the same lines, we can look for the good. It’s important to counterbalance the heavy information with the hopeful. There’s still so much good and beauty in the world if we choose to pay attention to it. And try forgiving others and accepting yourself. I know it’s easier said than done. But acknowledging many people are on edge at the moment, for similar reasons that you may also be feeling on edge, can help us find the ability to move on when in the past we might have reacted. Similarly, acknowledging the stresses we are living with can help us find self-acceptance and self-forgiveness when we act in ways we later regret.

When checking in on those around us, there are certain signs to watch out for and things you can do if you notice a change, see our Mental Health Awareness Wellbeing Tool which explains this further. It's important that we look after and be kind to ourselves and others after such a long year.

Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

#WomensHealthWeek 6-10 September 2021

With the stress COVID has placed on everyone's lives, it’s now more important than ever to look after your overall health and wellbeing. This September, Women’s Health Week will be a great reminder to take time out to check in on your health and to keep making positive changes that can last a lifetime.

For more information and free resources visit the Jean Hailes' Women's Health Week Website. It's time to put your health first.

With so many competing demands and expectations, the struggle to keep up with both work and home commitments can be extremely stressful. When stress persists to a point that a person feels they aren’t coping, it can affect the functioning of their day-to-day life as well as their overall wellbeing. The stressors of too much ‘juggling’ together with trying to do things well and be ‘good’ at everything is impacting on women and their ability to sleep, think clearly and make decisions.

For more information about Women's Health and Wellbeing contact the Newport & Wildman Team who can go through our Women's Wellbeing Training and Webinar options.

If you would like to arrange an appointment for yourself call us on 1800 650 204. Find out more about our counselling service here.

Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.

At the heart of what we do at Newport & Wildman is caring for others’ wellbeing – particularly their emotional health. For all of us affected by the lockdowns around Australia, our emotional wellbeing is probably being tested. I miss the regular face-to-face catch-ups with friends and family that, up until COVID, was a very regular part of my life. And most of us are now regularly seeing our work colleagues on a computer screen, rather than in person.

R U OK? Day on Thursday 9^th September is a very timely reminder of the vital importance of checking in with each other – especially in these times of separation. R U OK? Day was founded by Gavin Larkin as a response to the suicide of his father. Gavin was determined to try to help others. He championed the fact that a conversation, starting with “are you OK?” can change a life – perhaps save a life. Out of that was born an extraordinary Australian organisation whose mission is to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling.

R U OK? Day creates an opportunity for us all to start a dialogue about mental health, to create an environment of acceptance, and to normalise asking for help. At work, Managers play a vital role in the culture of their workplaces. The most direct way to encourage discussion is through talking and encouraging others to talk, especially about what might be uncomfortable topics for some – such as their mental health. This is particularly relevant during these times of lockdown when it is hard for everyone and where we may feel fatigued and unsure of how we can help others.  Leaders can empower their employees and facilitate a culture where it is normal to talk about how you feel and for others to actively listen without trying to ‘fix’ anyone. R U OK? Day is an opportunity to discuss the importance of learning the steps and skills on how to have the conversation.  Lots of great guidance can be found on their website.

Our emotions are our friends. They tell us how our inner world is going. Learning to listen patiently to our emotions, to hear what they are telling us, and then acting in a way that adds to our wellbeing, is a skill learnt over the course of a lifetime. Talking with others about how we feel can help clarify what we need to do to take good care of ourselves. Having someone ask you, genuinely, “are you OK?” and then them waiting quietly for what you have to say, might be the difference between you feeling confused and lonely or feeling there is hope and a way forward. When we as leaders are experiencing similar challenges as our employees and also feel responsible for our employees’ wellbeing, it is important to remind yourself that checking in and connecting with others is just as valuable and powerful for yourself. It’s okay to not have all the answers and to reach out for support when you need it.

Sally Kirkright, AccessEAP CEO

At Newport & Wildman we're here to make it easier for you and your people to access support. Utilise our Login Areas, the AccessMyEAP App and our LinkedIn for wellbeing tools and mental health support.

LinkedIn

Follow the Newport & Wildman LinkedIn Page here. Follow us for tips on keeping mentally healthy, supporting your people, self-care and more. 

Login Areas

Access Wellbeing Calendar Tools, COVID-19 Support, promotional materials and more in the Employee and Employer Login Areas.

AccessMyEAP App

Track your wellbeing and arrange appointments via the AccessMyEAP App, find out more information here.

Newport & Wildman is proudly part of AccessEAP. This month we have a message from Sally Kirkright, CEO, AccessEAP.

I want to start by acknowledging the effect of the lockdowns and increased restrictions on us all. Newport & Wildman are here to support you and help you face each challenge. This month we are focusing on Constructive Conversations because we know that communication and connection are so very important for our overall wellbeing.   

Conflict happens in the most harmonious of working environments. I think we have a great culture at AccessEAP & Newport & Wildman, but conflict still occurs. So it’s not about avoiding conflict, which can create an ‘elephant in the room’ situation - it’s about enabling it to happen in a constructive way. One of my favourite authors, Patrick Lencioni, talks about fear of conflict in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Great relationships require “productive conflict in order to grow”¹. By engaging in productive conflict, it helps the Executive Leadership Team discuss and resolve issues more competently without any resentful feelings.

Psychological Safety is something we aim for at Newport & Wildman. The Center for Creative Leadership defines it as “the belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.” As a leader, I aim to nurture an understanding we are here not just to be responsible for our roles but to contribute without fear in a way that gives voice to our care about the organisation, the work we do, and our own and others’ wellbeing. It’s about speaking up. I think of teachers who say when inviting questions, “there’s no such thing as a silly question.” That’s creating psychological safety.

When I am in a conversation where conflict might occur or is occurring, I remember the importance of creating safety. I listen carefully to what undercurrents are happening – I try to hear who is feeling hurt, or unheard, angry or scared. Is there someone who hasn’t voiced their opinion yet and they need some encouragement? As a Leader, I encourage those I work with to respectfully and truthfully say what is going on for them to help avoid misunderstandings.

If something that happened in the past needs addressing, the Center for Creative Leadership has a model for structuring a constructive conversation.

• First, you outline the situation. For example, “During this morning’s meeting…”,
• Then you describe the behaviour, “…you interrupted me and others…”,
• Then the Impact, “…and as a result, some people felt shut down and didn’t get a chance to express their ideas.”
• Then you invite them to reflect – “I’m curious what you saw happening at this morning’s meeting?” You actively listen to what they say and explore solutions. As a leader, you can make clear what the behaviours are that reflect the organisation’s values.
• Finally, you conclude the conversation and clarify any follow-ups, “Can we agree that….”

This way of talking about a problem creates a safe container to explore what happened and then shapes the way forward.

A constructive conversation is non-judgemental and empathetic. It builds relationships, understanding and leads towards beneficial outcomes. The great early 20^th-century psychologist and philosopher William James said: “Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is your attitude.”  When we have a mindset of creating Psychological Safety, of aiming towards understanding, conflict can become an opportunity for growth, learning, and the deepening of trust.

Sally Kirkright, CEO AccessEAP

¹ Lencioni, P. M. (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Jossey-Bass.

Thursday, 9^th September is R U OK? Day and Newport & Wildman would like to support you and your people to feel confident asking “R U OK?”. 2021 has had its challenges, and this year we are focused on helping people have these conversations and feel confident to respond if someone says they are not OK.

A common theme for many people this year has been isolation. It’s unfortunate that one of our best weapons against COVID-19 is something that can negatively impact on mental health and wellbeing. This year we would encourage you to consider the benefits of bringing people together for R U OK? Day. Examples could include our virtual group training session, a virtual morning tea or a lunch and learn session using our Webinar.

R U OK? Day is often the busiest day of the year for us here at Newport & Wildman! Given the challenges we are facing, we expect this year to be the same. Reach out to discuss how we can support you and your people.

You can also download our Wellbeing Tool - Asking R U OK? through the Wellbeing Calendar on the Employee and Employer Login Areas.

R U OK? inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life.
For more information about R U OK? visit their website ruok.org.au.