How To Get Leadership Buy-In For Workplace Wellbeing

How To Get Leadership Buy-In For Workplace Wellbeing

In this compilation episode of Can We Have a Word? from Kara Connect, we bring together short guest clips that discuss the practical steps needed to secure leadership backing for wellbeing programs, the importance of data-backed business cases, and the real-world impacts on employee engagement and organizational performance.

Our three guests (Sharon O’Connor, Martin Gillick, Vivienne Horkan) share how data, culture, and open conversation drive lasting change – and why leadership support is the foundation for success.

There’s no commentary between clips in this episode. We’ll let the voices speak for themselves and invite you to reflect on what listening really looks like in your own organisation.

Speakers featured in this episode

• Sharon O’Connor – Management Consultant and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist, Warn (Episode 14)
• Martin Gillick – Employee Wellbeing Manager, Bus Éireann (Episode 13)
• Vivienne Horkan – Programme Manager, An Garda Síochána (Episode 11)

In this compilation, you’ll hear perspectives on

• The importance of educating leaders and speaking the language of business to gain buy-in
• Leveraging existing employee engagement data to inform wellbeing strategy
• Linking wellbeing initiatives to performance, employee motivation, and retention
• Understanding the ROI of mental health programs and why patient investment is needed
• Avoiding common managerial mistakes by prioritizing human-level conversations
• The value of consistent programs versus one-off initiatives in building trust and psychological safety
• The role of wellbeing champions and how ownership across teams fosters lasting cultural change
• Creating flexibility within wellbeing frameworks to adapt to local and cultural needs
• Building trust through employee support programs and open dialogue

This conversation offers practical advice for executives, HR leaders, and people managers who are striving to create healthier workplaces and drive meaningful improvement in employee wellbeing. Our guests provide actionable ideas for anyone looking to secure leadership buy-in and build a robust, sustainable culture of care.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect’s Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.