Be Well Lead Well® Newsletter

A new scientific framework offers potential for personalized health and wellbeing care. In this world of disruption and change, the demands on all of us are higher than ever, yet we’re often not handling our demands with high levels of wellbeing and growth. Instead of thriving, we often function from a state of chronic dysregulation. We pay a high personal cost for operating this way. Over time, our chronic stress can develop into a host of physical, mental, and social health challenges, such as high blood pressure, migraines, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, depression, anxiety, breakdowns in relationships, and diminished meaning and performance in our lives and work. Our organizations and societies pay a high cost, too. Currently, 60% of employees in major global economies feel overstressed, with hybrid workers and women frequently reporting the highest stress levels. Nearly half of millennials worldwide report concerns about their long-term financial future, and 1 in 5 adults report feeling lonely.  In Wisdom Works’ research, we find managers with lower levels of wellbeing generally linked to lower levels of impact. So, I was delighted to talk with Dr. Rachel Gilgoff about a new scientific framework for understanding the biology of stress that she and…

2024: A Year for Celebrating 25 Years of Thriving Together This year, the Wisdom Works team celebrates 25 years of pursuing our mission to create a world where everyone thrives. Since our founding in 1999, we’ve been driven by the belief that leadership, relationships, and purpose have the power to transform not just workplaces, but entire lives. Yet, we also recognize that true transformation is never the work of one individual or entity alone. Our 25-year milestone reflects what we’ve achieved together with our clients, partners, and global community—all united in the shared commitment to thriving and flourishing.   Here’s a timeline of highlights from our 25 years in business: 1999 Life partners Renee and David Moorefield co-founded Wisdom Works. With no prior entrepreneurial experience, they were inspired by a deep passion to build healthier leaders and teams that could drive meaningful change in organizations—and in the world. 1999-2000 We launched transformational leadership programs, developing the mindset and capabilities of executive teams to lead with collective purpose, vision, and action. Leaders and teams honed skills such as mindfulness, focus, energy management, constructive commitment, feedback for growth, and tapping into whole-person wisdom. 2000 In partnership with LeeAnn Mallory, we built coaching…

Despite the backdrop of the U.S. Presidential election results unfolding at the same time, this year’s Global Wellness Summit was another dynamic and engaging event. The Global Wellness Summit is an annual four-day gathering that brings together leaders from business, government, academia, and science to exchange ideas and shape the future of the interconnected world of wellness. This year, the event took place in the stunning landscape of Scotland—a country steeped in tradition, where clan chiefs, kings, religious leaders, and nobles have long sought refuge in the tranquil countryside to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. It was hosted in the historic seaside town of St. Andrews, renowned not only for its world-class golf courses but also for its prestigious university and interesting medieval ruins. I started my visit to this charming town with a leisurely walk around its streets, eventually making my way through the iconic Old Course— affectionately known as the “Grand Old Lady.” At nearly 475 years old, she’s regarded as the birthplace of golf, making her a truly historic landmark. Yes, I walked on the course (without playing golf)! It felt like I was getting away with something, but the beauty of the Old Course is that…

Thriving Leadership in an Age of Disruption In today’s world, we’re grappling with an unprecedented convergence of challenges: climate change, digital transformation, social upheaval, economic uncertainties, and more. These forces necessitate a shift from traditional leadership models to ones that can meet these new demands effectively. At Wisdom Works, we advocate for a transformative approach that we call thriving leadership. This paradigm goes beyond navigating disruption; it’s about transforming it into opportunities for growth, capacity-building, and overall wellbeing. Leaders who adopt this paradigm view every aspect of their organization—from tech innovations to brands and daily operations—as chances to succeed in ways where people and the planet can thrive. Seven Shifts in Consciousness, Capability, and Impact Thriving leadership is about building on the best of how we’ve led in the past, yet broadening our consciousness, capabilities, and impact. It challenges both formal and informal leaders to elevate how they use their power and influence through seven essential shifts: From Transactional to TRANSFORMATIONAL From Individual Control to COLLECTIVE EMPOWERMENT From Efficiencies to SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE From Action without Awareness to INTEGRITY From Extraction to REGENERATION From Siloed Thinking to ECOSYSTEM SYNERGY From Burnout to WELLBEING Thriving Leadership Is Personal The seven shifts toward…