You likely know that MHealthy contributes to a culture of health and well-being at U-M through a wide variety of programs and services for faculty and staff. But did you know that MHealthy also trains university leaders on how to build this culture in their own work areas?

“Leaders Creating a Culture at Its Best,” MHealthy’s leadership training program, teaches participants how to create work teams where health and well-being contribute to success. The program is offered free of charge to U-M leaders.

Supporting thriving workplace cultures at all levels

MHealthy developed the training program in response to data showing strong support for well-being programs among top-level leadership and individuals.  However, there was a need for more concrete strategies among mid-level leaders.

Since August 2016, more than 900 managers and supervisors from varying areas of the university have participated in the program. In 2019, the program will encourage leaders at all levels to participate and develop their own tools and resources to cultivate thriving workplace cultures.

“This course addresses workplace culture and creating an environment where team members can thrive and achieve their goals – whatever those goals are,” says Marsha Manning, manager of medical benefits for the university and a former participant. “The focus on understanding the diversity of employees and creating an environment that supports this diversity is really valuable for leaders at every level across the organization.”

Holistic approach to well-being

At each half-day workshop, participants learn to identify behaviors associated with U-M’s eight-dimensions of well-being: physical, emotional/mental, environmental, financial, occupational, social, intellectual and spiritual. The workshops are highly interactive, engaging attendees through tools from Liberating Structures, journaling and – as you might expect from MHealthy – movement.

“One thing I’ve noticed is how much participants respond to the mental and emotional aspects of well-being, including daily practices like gratitude and kindness,” says Melissa Lagodzinski, who leads the program. “The way these things connect to our overall health hasn’t always been obvious for people.”

Upcoming workshops and custom sessions

Registration is now open for a number of half-day sessions at Palmer Commons:

• Upcoming Michigan Medicine – March 7, April 30 and May 22
• Upcoming campus dates – April 10 and May 15

You can also contact Melissa Lagodzinski about creating a custom workshop for your unit to help address specific health and well-being challenges, such as time constraints and the physical environment.

Visit the Training Workshop webpage on the MHealthy website to learn more and register.