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Mental Health on the Frontlines: How Situational Awareness Builds Resilient Leaders with Alex Willis

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How Can Situational Awareness Boost Mental Health at Work? 

“Leaders who read the room fearlessly transform tension into trust.” – Alex Willis

In safety-focused industries, leaders are trained to identify physical hazards before they cause harm. But what if those same situational awareness skills could be used to support mental well-being? In this energizing episode of Headspace for the Workplace, I sit down with Alex Willis, a former NFL player and founder of Leadership Surge, to explore how organizations can apply the core principles of safety awareness—such as real-time assessment, micro-adjustments, and field communication—to improve team well-being, reduce burnout, and build trust.

Two Tactical Takeaways

1. Leverage situational awareness to enhance mental health at work

Leaders can strengthen team performance by recognizing the emotional and cognitive “blind spots” that often go unnoticed but have a big impact on morale and focus. Simple jobsite-inspired mental health check-ins—like the MEPS system (Mental, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual)—can help assess team readiness in just a few minutes. By learning to “read the room” with the same attention you’d give to PPE compliance, leaders can respond early to warning signs with empathy and composure, creating safer, more supportive workplaces.

2. Prepare leaders to be confident in challenging conversations.

Leaders can shift from thinking “It’s not my job” to feeling equipped with the tools to lean in when someone may be struggling. Using simple, compassionate openers like “You don’t seem like yourself lately” helps create psychological safety and signals care without judgment. Over time, these small, intentional interactions can transform tension into trust and ultimately strengthen both relationships and performance.

 

Discussion Topics

How can leaders best check in with teammates to support mental health at work?

Start each day with a quick MEPS check-in—asking your team how they’re doing mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. In just 2–5 minutes, this simple exercise surfaces unspoken stress, promotes empathy, and builds a culture of trust and care.

Why is it essential for workplace leaders to lead with vulnerability?

When leaders model vulnerability—by openly sharing challenges or tough moments—it gives others permission to do the same. This strengthens team connection, fosters psychological safety, and signals that it’s okay not to be okay.

How can managers reframe accountability conversations to support employee well-being?

Instead of asking “Why didn’t you do your job?”, try asking “What’s been getting in your way lately?” This reframing holds people accountable while also expressing curiosity and compassion—creating a culture where employees feel seen, not shamed.

What does it mean for leaders to practice ‘challenge reps’ in mental health conversations?

Just like athletes train for game-day situations, leaders should proactively prepare for emotionally challenging moments at work. Identify the top five tough conversations you’re likely to face and script out how you’ll respond—with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

About Alex Willis

Alex Willis is the founder of Leadership Surge, a leadership development company that transforms construction safety cultures by training frontline leaders in emotional intelligence, stress management, and strengths-based leadership. A former NFL wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alex brings "edutainment" to every workshop—where high-impact lessons are delivered with humor, heart, and humanity.

Over the past 15+ years, Alex has helped more than 2,000 construction leaders—from Fortune 500 executives to foremen—build high-trust teams that work safer, communicate better, and get results that stick.

Contact Alex:

Resources & Downloads

References & Further Reading

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Canadian Medical Protective Association. (n.d.). Physician-team | Situational awareness | CMPA good practices. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/education-events/good-practices/physician-team/situational-awareness

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