Are happier and healthier people better for business?

When Napoleon Bonaparte (or possibly Frederick the Great) said that an army marches on its stomach, he was acknowledging an obvious truth – people operate more effectively if they are fit and happy.

And yet, in the intervening couple of centuries, large organisations have – in many cases – put their priorities in other areas. Productivity, output, added value: this is what is demanded of workers. Longer hours, more restrictions on time off, increased expectations.

But recently, there has been something of a collective epiphany.

Leaders and managers – those who have been through the mill and seen the impact of relentless overworking, and may even have experienced the burnout themselves – have started to really appreciate the value of encouraging their workforce to focus more on their wellbeing.

Treating your employees better will attract a higher level of talent too

Competition for the best new talent that comes onto the market each year is intensifying, and surveys of business owners are increasingly citing the acquisition of the right individuals as one of the top three factors for the future success of the organisation.

As the scramble for the top performers grows, the demands from the candidates take on growing value too, and most talented individuals are no longer prepared to accept terms and conditions that will lead them to burn out. Therefore, the bar is being raised, and raised again.