Organisational wellbeing

In her introductory blog, Barbara Bassa, Advance HE's Senior Adviser, outlines this member benefit theme in further detail. 

A virtual sandpit event on 5 May provided an opportunity for governors and senior leaders to discuss how organisational wellbeing should be positioned in overall strategy and explored the key question, ‘Have we managed to create healthier and more compassionate institutions as a result of the pandemic and has that had a positive impact on an inclusive and enabling culture?’

You can find a written overview of the event here.

This first recording considers the roots of our personal wellbeing at work, and talks about how, through turning the lens from “outside there” to “inside here”, we can become more empowered in relation to our wellbeing.

Using the “Wellbeing - linking the body, the mind and consciousness” model (Barbara Bassa, 2022), we explore how our deeper sense of purpose, identity, values at work, the beliefs that we hold about work and the emotions that we experience when working (fun, creativity, excitement or stress, anxiety and despondency) impact on our wellbeing.

The recording also features a reflective practice called “Developing two attentions” to help you consider your wellbeing when you are working.

The second recording talks about how we can increase creativity and innovation at work in a way which takes into consideration wider ecologies: the impact on our holistic wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional and our consciousness), impact on others and on our environment.

The recording introduces the “Theory U” model developed by Professor Otto Scharmer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which uses presencing skills in order for us to enter a state of creativity and flow, whilst respecting the intelligences of our heads, hearts and hands.

There is also an opportunity for you to work on your challenge or innovation project using U Theory in a reflective writing exercise.

Our third and final recording explores working with others in a way that promotes organisational wellbeing.

We will offer provocations related to: complex system networks and interdependencies at work, the notion of ripple effect, a map of consciousness, “time to think” concept and the butterfly effect. The provocations will be accompanied with a proposition of a practical application of a new approach to your colleagues and stakeholders to promote wellbeing. We will suggest considering the level of consciousness when having conversations with others, listening with your ears, eyes and hearts and implementing small acts of kindness

Advance HE Connect our online network that is open to all those who work in HE providing a space where the sector can share, connect and collaborate in one place with 24,000 HE peers from 100 countries around the globe. The platform features special interest groups, events and collaborative projects.