223 Andrea Herron - The Elephant in the Office

Andrea Herron is the VP of HR at WebMD, a published author of “There’s an Elephant in Your Office,” a sought-after keynote speaker, and host of the award-winning podcast, The HR Scoop. She was honored with Ragan’s Top Women in Wellness and HR Award, selected as an Agent of Change in American Healthcare Leader magazine, and a Top Leader in DEIB by Mogul. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.

Andrea's passion for shaping the future of work is evident through her dedication to education and impactful coaching outcomes. She is committed to personal transformation, inspiring next-generation leaders, and advocating for a strategic approach to cultivating a culture that enhances performance through a holistic, whole-person perspective.

In this episode, Jason and Andrea discuss:

• The significance of addressing mental health issues in the workplace and the metaphor of "elephants" to classify them
• Strategies for building trust and fostering open communication through the 'take ten check-ins' approach
• The importance of psychological safety and self-care in cultivating a healthy organizational culture
• Best practices of leadership visibility, authenticity, and impactful changes with advance notice
• The balance between supporting employees' mental health and recognizing the boundaries of personal responsibility for leaders

Key Takeaways:

• Andrea highlights workplace mental health and introduces the concept from her book 'There's an Elephant in Your Office' for understanding and aiding those facing mental health challenges.
• Trust-building within teams can be improved with check-ins that involve three key questions, paving the way for stronger communication and support.
• Leaders play a crucial role in promoting a safe and supportive work environment that encourages self-care to mitigate burnout and enhance employee empowerment.
• Consistent communication and giving employees advance notice of changes are highlighted as pragmatic leadership tactics that cater to various adjustment needs.
• A nuanced discussion on the leadership role in mental health reveals the balance between offering support and acknowledging the limits of responsibility.

“When you're in a leadership position trying to help people navigate work and personal challenges, it's easy to develop a savior complex and feel responsible for their outcomes. Remember, you can do your best, but you cannot control an adult's mental health, physical health, or behavior. Build relationships, provide tools and resources, be a trusted person they can talk to, and the rest is up to them.”

- Andrea Herron

Connect with Andrea Herron:

Website: https://sidesconsultingservices.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaherron/

Andrea’s BOOKS: https://sidesconsultingservices.com/shop/

Connect with Steve and Jason:

LinkedIn: Jason or Steve

Website: Rewire, Inc.: Transformed Thinking

Email: grow@rewireinc.com

Show notes by: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.