How to use the WellStack cards with your team
Pull out this deck of cards as you prepare for your next team meeting:
- Select a card at random or
- Pick a category that is relevant for your team (starting with an easier category such as Being Active first) or
- Pick a type of activity such as Team Reflection, Team Activity etc.
More helpful tips
Getting Everyone Talking
Here are some ideas for getting everyone involved in the discussion:
- Break large groups into smaller groups to brainstorm solutions to challenges. Then, come back together and have each group share their best ideas. Pairing groups can also be effective here.
- Change the meeting environment to spark creativity. Consider having the meeting in a different room, outside, at someone’s house, or even in a café.
- Use Technology: Utilise online tools like Kahoot, Miro, Mentimeter, etc., to spark conversation and gather input from your team.
- Use post-it notes: Get people to jot down their ideas (one idea per post-it note) and put them on a blank wall. This method helps visualise ideas and promotes discussion.
- Quick one-word shout-outs: Ensure people are involved without too much pressure to talk in front of the whole team.
- Rotation of discussion leadership: It's a great opportunity for the people leader to get involved in the discussion and for someone else to take charge. Make sure, as the leader, you don’t take over.
- Establish meeting norms: Get everyone to agree on keeping things positive, turning off distractions, listening actively, and ensuring everyone is involved and engaged.
How to manage serious mental health conversations that might arise
1. Listen Actively and Empathetically
- Give Your Full Attention: Make sure your team member(s) feel heard by giving them your full attention; maintaining eye contact, nodding, and minimising distractions – make sure you put your phone away!
- Validate Their Feelings: Acknowledge their emotions and experiences without judgement. You can do this by using phrases like “I understand this is difficult for you” or “I appreciate you sharing this with me.”
2. Remain Calm and Supportive
- Maintain Composure: You might feel out of your depth and that’s ok, but try to remain calm and composed - your demeanor can help to reassure your team member.
- Express Concern and Support: Show genuine concern for your team member’s wellbeing. You can demonstrate this by saying, “Your health and wellbeing are important to us.”
3. Recognise Your Limits
- Recognise Boundaries: As a manager, it’s important to recognise that you are not a mental health professional. It’s crucial to know your limits and avoid giving advice that is beyond your expertise.
- Refer to Professionals: Encourage your team member to seek help from a qualified mental health professional. Provide information about available resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), counselling services, or mental health hotlines. If you are unsure what resources or services are available reach out to your HR team for advice.
4. Provide Resources and Follow Up
- Offer Resources: Have a list of mental health resources ready to share. This can include contact information for mental health professionals, support groups, and online resources. If you are unsure, ask your HR team for their advice on the best resources and tuck them away in your toolkit.
- Follow Up: After the initial conversation, it can be helpful to check in with your team member periodically. A simple "How are you doing?" can do wonders in showing ongoing support and concern.
5. Maintain Confidentiality
- Respect Privacy & Confidentiality: It is critical to keep the conversation strictly confidential unless the team member's safety is at risk. You should first ask for permission to discuss concerns with HR or relevant stakeholders but explain the limits of confidentiality if necessary.
- Discreet Actions: When undertaking any follow-up actions, make sure you do so discreetly in order to respect their privacy.
