As I look around me, I see things are changing faster than I can process and keep up with. I often think about how people in various offices around the world are coping.
Mental well-being in the workplace is more important than ever. As organizations strive to create healthier, more supportive environments, a strengths-based approach can be a powerful tool for fostering positive change. Instead of focusing on what’s broken, Appreciative Inquiry encourages us to explore what’s working well and build upon it.
By shifting our mindset from problems to possibilities, we can create workplaces that support resilience, engagement, and collective well-being. Here are five steps you can take today to promote your own and others’ mental well-being at work using Appreciative Inquiry.
1. Start with strengths
What’s one thing that’s going well right now?
This simple yet powerful question can change the way we view challenges. When we focus on strengths—our own and those of our colleagues—we create a foundation for confidence, motivation, and problem-solving.
🔹 Try this: Begin team meetings with a win-sharing moment, where everyone shares something that’s working well in their role. This shifts the focus from stress to solutions.
🔹 Why it works: Strength-based thinking helps reduce stress, boost morale, and encourage resilience in difficult times.
2. Foster psychological safety
How can we create a space where people feel heard, valued, and supported?
Psychological safety—the ability to speak up without fear of judgment—is essential for well-being. When employees feel safe to share ideas, concerns, and even failures, they are more engaged and less likely to experience burnout.
🔹 Try this: When a colleague shares a challenge, respond with curiosity and encouragement instead of immediate solutions. Ask, What has worked for you in the past? to help them discover their own strengths.
🔹 Why it works: Feeling valued and supported reduces workplace anxiety and enhances collaboration.
3. Celebrate small wins and everyday gratitude
How often do we pause to acknowledge what’s going well?
Recognizing and celebrating progress—no matter how small—can significantly improve workplace well-being. Gratitude improves our own mental health and strengthens relationships with colleagues.
🔹 Try this: Take a few moments each day to appreciate a co-worker’s efforts. A simple thank you or acknowledgment in a team meeting can go a long way.
🔹 Why it works: Gratitude and recognition increase motivation, reduce stress, and create a culture of appreciation.
4. Encourage meaningful breaks and reflection
What activities at work give us energy and joy?
Burnout often stems from constant demands without adequate recovery. Encouraging regular breaks—especially those that promote movement, mindfulness, or connection—can improve focus, creativity, and overall well-being.
🔹 Try this: Encourage Focus Hours where emails and messages are paused, or introduce walking meetings to combine movement with conversation.
🔹 Why it works: Meaningful breaks help us reset, reduce stress, and return to work with renewed energy.
5. Envision and co-create a positive future
What does an ideal workday look like for us?
Appreciative Inquiry is rooted in the idea that positive images shape the future. Instead of dwelling on workplace challenges, envisioning what a great workplace looks like can help create real, lasting change.
🔹 Try this: Ask your team, If we were at our best, what would that look like? Then, co-create small, actionable steps toward that vision.
🔹 Why it works: Focusing on what’s possible rather than what’s wrong inspires creativity, hope, and collective action.
Final thoughts: a workplace where well-being thrives
When we apply Appreciative Inquiry to mental well-being, we move beyond simply managing stress to creating workplaces where people truly thrive. By starting with strengths, fostering safety, celebrating wins, taking meaningful breaks, and envisioning a better future, we can build an environment where well-being is not just a priority—it’s a shared responsibility.
What’s one small change you can make today to support your own and your team’s mental well-being? Let’s start the conversation!
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