Book Review: A Work In Progress by Gethin Nadin

We are on the cusp of something exciting. Awareness on a global scale of the responsibility that employers have in creating a wellbeing-centric workplace. Work is central to healthy lives, and those organizations that understand this are the ones that will help to lead us through the past few years of uncertainty and (for many organisations, neglect). As you can imagine, my work as a career and return-to-work coach and trainer is often working in collaboration with businesses and communities that understand the power of a well-being approach. To help me stay on track with the most up-to-date research and approaches, I like to surround myself (virtually) with the leaders in the field. That is how I came to learn about Gethin Nadin and his work. When his latest book was announced, I knew it not only was to be added to my professional to-read list but would also be added to the Book Club Titles. This month, let me introduce you to “ A Work In Progress: Unlocking Wellbeing To Create More Sustainable and Resilient Organisations” by Gethin Nadin.

 

Gethin is a multi-award-winning psychologist and best-selling HR author; very simply, what he doesn’t know about employee experience and well-being isn’t worth knowing! As one of the leading voices in this space, his book is well placed to not only clearly show the power and impact of a healthy workplace (the “why”) he builds a picture of where and how you can make changes become the workplace of choice. However, it’s important to note that to build a well-being-centric environment, we need to start to walk away from the capitalist beliefs that well-being is needed for profit and productivity and to remember that this is the ethical and moral thing to do for a healthy world. Gethin describes this shift well, whilst providing support on how to influence those decision-makers who maybe are more traditional in their thinking. 

 

Covering 14 chapters including defining wellbeing, the role of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, making wellbeing work and the role of communication in employee wellbeing, this book guides us through an internal journey, that demonstrates all the areas to consider for wellbeing (Finance, Physical Workspace, Physical Wellbeing, Emotional Wellbeing, Fostering Community & Employee Recognition). Whilst it’s important to note that the book was published by Gethin’s employer (Benefex – a leader in the space of wellbeing) this book is not a long sales tool for the organisation. 

It’s a manifesto to support :

 

“To be an employer is a privilege. Employers have a moral obligation to ensure people are taken care of I believe care and kindness at work may be the most vital keys to the riddle to what makes a successful organization. Gethin Nadin, October 2022. 

 

So, in true Clara Cliff Notes style, here are the five things YOU need to know from A Work In Progress. 

 

1. What poor staff well-being looks like.

Let’s start with what we don’t want to see and understand what poor staff well-being looks like. You must work proactively to prevent these things, not treat them – cause not symptoms! By understanding what the risk factors are for poor well-being you can start to develop strategies to reduce the risk of these happening, or the impact when these issues arise outside of work. You can’t erase the likelihood of issues for your staff outside of work, but let’s create a working environment that doesn’t add to these issues. The common risk factors for poor well-being are burnout, workload, conflict, lack of control, lack of support, pressure and stress.  

 

2. The strong link between life satisfaction and purpose.

I am sure EVERYONE desires to feel a level of satisfaction. Whilst you don’t need to have purpose solely in your work (as I have mentioned before), work CAN play a part in a sense of overall purpose. The importance of this is clear. It was found that a greater sense of purpose in life (which includes work) is associated with decreased mortality and greater resilience to life’s knocks. One study found that up to 40% of some workers’ satisfaction at work can be linked to their sense of purpose. So consider how you are building the bridge between the two 

 

3. Autonomy leads to well-being.

This is the key, I feel, of all the HOW questions that leaders ask about wellbeing, In the past, numerous pilots have been run to help support wellbeing (how many yoga classes, fruit bowls and “pizzas” to say thank you have you experienced?) We are clearly shown that there is one theme that leads to higher measures of well-being. Namely, AUTOMONY OF WORK. When people are given more control over their choices in work, there is a marked difference in well-being (and productivity – for those that need to link it back to the bottom line). Nadin details the areas that YOU can start changing straight away, including timing and location of work, manner and pace of work, task order and job task. As he states on page 150; ask the direct question to your staff (“What more could we be doing for you”). They will give you all the recommendations you need to move forward. 

 

4. The Interplay between wellbeing and policy

Very simply, a poor policy can override a good well-being strategy. A good well-being strategy can be enhanced by thoughtful and integrated policy. Gethin uses the example of how a poor expenses reimbursement policy can override the financial element of a well-being policy. How often has a slow or overcomplicated policy led to financial stress for you? So when you are building the new, forward-thinking strategy, make sure this is easy for everyone to implement! 

 

5. How this knowledge can help your career.

Finally, what does this mean if you are looking for your next organization? If you are returning to work after a career break, or looking to move jobs, I imagine that the well-being strategy is top of your agenda. You can use this book to see a catalogue of best practice examples and use that knowledge to ask around how their policies support their well-being strategy, as well as enquiring how they measure and support the well-being of their team. If you haven’t experienced a supportive environment, it can be harder to benchmark your expectations. This book is a way of understanding what is possible. 

 

So, in short, this is a must-read for anyone who works in the well-being space. Just imagine how the world of work could look if this approach became the minimum standard. 

Have you read “A Work In Progress”? I’d love to know your takeaways from it, and how you are applying it personally and professionally.

 

Come along to Creating Careers to Enjoy to join in our monthly book talk, regular Q&As and ongoing support to create a career to enjoy not endure!

 

 

If you like the sound of this book, then also check out these blogs:

Together by Dr. Vivek Murthy

No hard feelings by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed

Company of One by Paul Jarvis