Leading with kindness: A systems approach to subjective well-being and healthspan
Stephen J. Swensen
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a systems approach to support leaders in creating a satisfying and meaningful career experience for colleagues which promotes optimal subjective well-being and healthspan. The intention is to help people do better. Kindness is helping people do better. There is an occupational health challenge in healthcare, with high rates of professional burnout, moral distress, turnover and work–life disintegration. An evidence synthesis of a narrative literature review identified subjective well-being and healthspan determinants primarily in the sphere of control of organisations. They are categorised into four domains: agency (control over work–life), collective effervescence (meaning, energy and harmony in groups of people with shared purpose), camaraderie (social connectedness) and positivity (optimism and caring). Ten systems that can improve staff subjective well-being and healthspan are presented.