A communication guide for leaders ANXIETY AT WORK ARTEM YAKIMENKO - ENGINEERING DIRECTOR @ CULTURE AMP 

42.9% OF ADULT AUSTRALIANS HAD EXPERIENCED A MENTAL DISORDER AT SOME TIME IN THEIR LIFE 

17.2% OF ADULT AUSTRALIANS HAD EXPERIENCED AN ANXIETY DISORDER >12 MONTHS 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? 

IT IMPACTS PEOPLE 

“MANAGERS IMPACT EMPLOYEES’ MENTAL HEALTH MORE THAN DOCTORS OR THERAPISTS” UKG 2023 “MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK: MANAGERS AND MONEY” 

AND IF THAT DOESN’T CONVINCE YOU… 

“IGNORING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH COSTS AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES AROUND $10.9 BILLION A YEAR IN LOST PRODUCTIVITY” PWC’S 2014 “MENTALLY HEALTHY” WORKPLACE REPORT 

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

SOUNDS FAMILIAR? 10 minutes of pure agony here 

- Communication needs to be - Speci fi c - Immediate - Give next steps CREATE CLARITY INSTEAD 

- If you need to add people to calls - always give context - Use the “5W’s”: - Who - What - When - Where - Why - Set clear expectations GIVE CONTEXT 

- If you need to add people to calls - always give context - Use the “5W’s”: - Who - What - When - Where - Why - Set clear expectations GIVE CONTEXT What? Why? When? Where? Expectations 

SOUNDS FAMILIAR? “This seems like the wrong place to bring up values :/“ “Efficiency? Are we doing our job badly?” “What does that mean for me? I’m already on double shifts!?” “This doesn’t actually explain anything… What does advancing even mean?” 

- Be genuine - Lead with empathy, not sympathy - Adjust for a large audience - Communicate early - Be clear what stage you’re at - thinking or implementing - Provide a way for people to ask questions and get them answered DO BROAD COMMS WELL 

QUESTIONS? - WE’LL HAVE A PANEL AT THE END!