The Connection Between High Performance and

Managerial Health

Written By. Clinton Longenecker and Robert Yonker

Presented By. Meagan Frances Ayers

Background

Research the FACTORS that contribute to business leader’s success

Issues/Factors include health and wellness Increased pressure on leaders

Longer Work Weeks Increased Levels of Stress Uncompromising Schedules

Background Continued

Companies are implementing health and wellness plans but managers are not quick to embrace them Lack of Time Busy Schedules Inconvenience Family Obligations Procrastination

Survey

Is a healthy manager more effective? The study showed… YES

The purpose was to help HR leaders realign their approach to encouraging manager health to increase performance

Surveyed 159 managers selected by their supervisors for their ability to produce superior results, are seen as “high performers”, and because of their willingness to participate

30 open ended questions regarding health and lifestyle issues

Observation #1

High performance managers believe themselves to be in good health.

As HR leaders, you should know or monitor the health levels of your managerial personnel whom you are depending on to lead your organization.

Rank of Health PercentagePoor Health 0%Fair Health 11.2%Good Health 42.9%Very Good Health 36.7%Excellent Health 9.2%

Observation #2 High performance managers believe that there is a

strong link between their health and the effectiveness as leaders.

HR leaders should note that in the minds of high performing managers, their health is critically important in their ability to achieve outstanding results.

Belief of Linkage Between Health and Effectiveness as a Leader Percentage

Very Strong 15.2%Strong 69.7%Neutral 14.5%Weak 1%

Observation #3 High performance managers believe that there are

numerous work related benefits to being healthy.

HR leaders need to encourage managers to not only be healthy for the sake of lowering healthcare costs, but so they can also create a competitive advantage for themselves and compete more effectively as leaders.

Top 5 Managerial Benefits to Being in Good Health Percentage

Increased Energy & Drive 64%Physical Stamina & Endurance 56%Lower Levels of Stress 49%Increased Cognitive & Thinking Ability 44%Improved Performance & Productivity 39%

Observation #4 High performance managers engage in regular physical

activity to stay in shape and increase stamina and strength to compete in a high pressure work environment.

HR leaders need to deliver a clear message that high performers should make physical activity a priority, which is a key to success.

How Often Do You Workout PercentageFour or More Days a Week 30%More Than Twice a Week 46.5%Once a Week 14.3%Less Than Once a Week 9.2%

Observation #5

High performance managers participate in a wide variety of physical activities.

When developing a wellness program, HR managers should provide an array of exercise options to meet individual interests and needs.

Top 5 Exercise Choices PercentageWalking/Jogging/Running 83%Biking and Spinning Classes 49%Strength Training 46%Stretching Exercises 41%Sports 33%

Observation #6

High performance managers are concerned with what they eat and work diligently to monitor and control what they consume.

Results 45% stated that they eat unhealthy snacks less than once a day 45% stated that they eat unhealthy snack foods less than twice a day

This was seen as illustrating self-discipline on the basis of the idea that unhealthy snacks are all over the workplace. My thoughts: The question seems subjective (what is a healthy snack

to who)

HR can help educate their managers on the importance of eating right and provide healthier meal and snack options to their employees in the workplace whenever possible.

Observation #7 High performance managers, as a general rule, do not smoke.

Results: 92% have chosen not to smoke Of that number, 65% have never smoked and 27% have quit the unhealthy

habit

Smoking is directly tied to a number of work related problems including: Increased Absenteeism Greater chance for respiratory illness Increased cancer rates Productivity lost due to “smoke breaks”

HR leaders should continue to encourage employees to kick the smoking habit and emphasize the negative correlation between smoking and high performance management.

Observation #8 High performance managers struggle to get enough sleep.

HR leaders should recognize that high performance managers struggle with getting an adequate amount of sleep, take steps toward educating their managers about the dangers of long term fatigue, stress the importance of sleep to increase performance, and monitor manager’s work schedules to minimize extended periods of excessive time at work.

How Many Hours of Sleep Per Night Percentage

At Least 7 Hours (Recommended) 46%6 Hours Average 40%Less Than 5 Hours 14%

Observation #9

High performance managers have learned to cope effectively with high levels of stress.

Coping Skills: 77.6% possess strong coping skills that enable them to manage

stress effectively 22.4% has trouble managing the stress they face at work

HR leaders need to focus on stress reduction in their wellness program to improve health and reduce health care costs and to also help managers perform effectively.

Level of Stress PercentageGreat or Very Great 51.5%Moderate Levels of Stress 44.4%Little or No Stress 4%

Recommendations1. Do managers in your organization take their health seriously?2. Does your organization have a health and wellness program that builds

linkages between healthy living and career success?3. Have managers in your organization been convinced of the importance of

the relationship between their individual health and their ability to perform at hi levels?

4. Has your organization educated your managers on the benefits associated with being healthy and a leader’s ability to perform at high levels?

5. Does your organization encourage you leaders to engage in regular physical activity?

6. Does your organization provide healthy food and snack options for people in the workplace?

7. Does your organization promote and incentivize a smoke free environment by emphasizing the health and personal performance problems created by the habit?

8. Does your organization discuss the performance and health liabilities associated with chronic fatigue and lack of sleep?

9. Has your organization implemented a stress management program to help leaders reduce stress levels while improving their personal performance?

10. Is your HR function providing real guidance and leadership on the previous issues?

Questions?

“People can dance around the issue, but in the end, a manager’s health can either help them compete or hurt their ability to be truly effective” – A Senior Manager’s Observation (Study Participant)