In this episode of Headspace for the Workplace, I sit down with workplace wellbeing expert Laura Putnam to explore one of the most overlooked drivers of mental health at work: managers.
We move beyond traditional mental health approaches—like EAPs and awareness training—and focus on what actually shifts culture: how leaders show up every day. Laura shares why workplace wellbeing is less about fixing individuals and more about improving “the water” employees are swimming in.
Together, we unpack two powerful and practical strategies leaders can implement immediately:
Creating a “safe harbor” within teams
Understanding how leadership style directly impacts mental wellbeing
This conversation is essential for leaders, HR professionals, and organizations committed to building psychologically safe, high-performing workplaces.
Why This Matters in the Workplace
Workplace mental health is at a tipping point.
Burnout, anxiety, and disengagement are rising across industries—not because individuals are failing, but because workplace systems and leadership behaviors are not keeping pace with human needs.
What the research and real-world experience both show is this:
Employees don’t leave companies—they leave managers
Psychological safety is the #1 predictor of high-performing teams
Leadership behavior directly shapes stress levels, trust, and even risk for mental health challenges
And yet, more than half of managers receive little to no training on how to support mental wellbeing at work.
That gap is the opportunity.
When organizations invest in equipping managers, the ripple effects are immediate:
Stronger team performance
Higher retention and engagement
Safer, more supportive work environments
Reduced burnout and preventable crises
This is not a “nice to have.”
It’s a workplace performance strategy and a core driver of long-term organizational success.
In this episode we’ll answer:
How can managers improve mental health and wellbeing in the workplace?
How does leadership style impact employee mental health and burnout?
What are practical ways to build psychological safety within a team?
What is a “safe harbor” team and how do you create one at work?
Why do most workplace wellness programs fail to improve employee wellbeing?
TWO TACTICAL TAKEAWAYS
1. Create a Safe Harbor in Your Team: Move, Build, Awaken
Laura introduces a simple but powerful framework for leaders:
Move → Incorporate physical movement (like walking meetings) to build trust and connection
Build → Strengthen psychological safety through shared airtime and awareness of team dynamics
Awaken → Foster compassion through small, consistent daily interactions
The goal: create a team environment where people feel safer, more connected, and supported regardless of external pressures
2. Leadership Style Directly Impacts Mental Wellbeing
One of the strongest predictors of workplace mental health is how leaders lead.
It’s not just what leaders do, it’s how they do it
Civility, compassion, and consistency shape team wellbeing
Leadership styles (e.g., transformer, people-centered vs. task-driven or avoidant) influence trust, stress, and performance
Bottom line:
If you want to improve mental wellbeing on your team, start with your leadership style.
About laura Putnam
Laura Putnam is a leadership catalyst and workplace wellbeing expert, bestselling author of Workplace Wellness That Works, and founder of Motion Infusion.
She has trained over 50,000 leaders and managers across 500+ organizations globally, helping companies shift from individual-focused wellness to leader-driven cultural change.
Her evidence-based Multiplier Method empowers managers to:
Model sustainable behaviors
Build connection and psychological safety
Turn wellbeing into a performance advantage
Laura’s work has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times and Forbes, and she is widely recognized for helping organizations create environments where people can both do well and be well.
If we want healthier workplaces, we have to stop treating mental health as an individual issue and start equipping leaders to shape environments where people can thrive.