For a Corporate Wellness program to be successful, it needs to have the endorsement and support from the executive team. Not to mention, active involvement or leading by example also helps to promote the cause. I’ve included some examples of leading by example when it comes to wellness.
- Eric Schiermeyer is the co-founder of Zynga: “If you treat your employee like an Olympic athlete,” he says, “they will provide extraordinary value.” At the company’s San Francisco headquarters, has has hired acupuncturists to spend three days a week to help his staff stay healthy and be more emotionally balanced.
- Tommy Hilfiger – Clothing Designer: “About 12 years ago, I was running a lot and feeling the wear and tear on my so knees, so I decided to try yoga. It was the answer. I do Ashtanga yoga for an hour every day now. It tones my whole body, soothes my stress, and gives me energy. My creativity and focus came back and it changed my whole spirit.”
- Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post) is a firm believer is the restorative properties of sleep: “The more rested and balanced we are the better we can deal with problems in our personal and professional lives with equanimity and wisdom. When we moved into AOL [following Huffington Post’s merger with the tech firm], one of the first things I created were two nap rooms.” She is glad to see these rooms being used; “I love seeing our hard-working reporters disappear into the nap room.”
- And from nearly 200 years ago, it was deemed important by the President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson: “. . . not less than two hours a day should be devoted to exercise. . . I speak from experience, having made this arrangement of my life. If the body is feeble, the mind will not be strong.”
If your company is lacking a wellness program, schedule a walking meeting with the executive team to let them know the company needs their support for healthy activities while at work. The sooner they can lead by example, the sooner everyone can benefit from new healthy habits. And who wouldn’t want to have a healthy mind and healthy body!