Increase Your Creativity by Promoting and Celebrating Wellness
The very first initiative in the OPWD strategic plan is, Be an Employer of Choice to Live, Work, and Learn. The first objective for that initiative is, Promote and Celebrate Wellness. In our day-to-day busyness it is easy to forget about the strategic plan and the four other initiatives it addresses, but I thought it worthwhile to share the huge value of implementing the objective to Promote and Celebrate Wellness.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports, “Organizations that promote employee health and well-being, through initiatives that support wellness and work/life balance, are 3.5 times more likely than others to encourage creativity and innovation.”
This inspiring statement from Creativity at Work reminds me of OPWD: “Workplace wellness isn’t just about physical health; it’s also about having an inspired, engaged and resilient workforce who do great work.”
By implementing the Employer of Choice initiative and its accompanying objectives we are developing a workplace culture where creativity can thrive with the added benefit of establishing a healthy and resilient organization.
Mental health has become a huge issue in business and society since Covid-19 and studies show that if we engage in artistic expression and creativity we can enhance our well-being. Merely looking at beautiful art enhances brain function.
Just think of the many creative (and fun) outlets we promote at OPWD: airplane flying contests, holiday celebrations (costumes encouraged), potluck meals, scavenger hunts and the list goes on.
These activities promote well-being, creativity, and engagement. Promoting creativity increases employee engagement, and engaged employees are more creative and productive.
This then correlates to greater positive well-being outcomes, such as:
- Higher job satisfaction.
- Better performance.
- Better relationships with teammates.
- Lower stress levels.
- Greater personal growth.
Next time you either review the OPWD strategic plan or participate in the next creative, fun and unique endeavor, be thankful that we have meaningful wellness objectives that promote creativity and innovation and lead to a multitude of mental, physical and emotional benefits.
