The Importance of Wellbeing on Performance

When I speak with leaders and teams, one thing is clear: wellbeing isn’t just personal — it directly impacts performance, engagement and business results.

The research is compelling. Deloitte’s 2024 report estimates that poor mental health costs UK employers £56 billion each year. McKinsey found that 60% of employees still feel emotionally drained, even as companies invest in wellbeing initiatives. Harvard’s landmark 80-year Study of Adult Development confirms that strong personal relationships are the single biggest predictor of long-term health, happiness and success. And PwC’s Future of Work report highlights that organisations supporting career growth and mobility see stronger engagement, better retention and ultimately, higher revenues.

It’s time we connected these dots and made wellbeing — in all its forms — a business priority.

In my keynote, Making Life Happen, I invite people to reflect on the decisions and relationships that shape their lives and careers — and to approach them with greater clarity and intent. We start with what matters most: investing in your significant other and nurturing your immediate family. When people feel stronger and more supported at home, they bring more energy, resilience and focus to work. It becomes a positive cycle — strengthening both lives and businesses.

I also guide professionals through the career stages we all navigate. Whether building skills in our twenties, refocusing in our thirties, or rebalancing later on, the choices we make shape our wellbeing and our contribution at work. Helping people make smarter career moves isn’t a side benefit — it directly lifts organisational performance.

Finally, I encourage people to rethink the communities and support networks around them. What makes a constructive community? How do we select the right mentors and avoid the limitations of one-size-fits-all advice? Life’s possibilities expand when we build the right conditions — professionally and personally. For organisations, this means creating an environment where people can connect meaningfully, develop confidently, and feel supported through life’s inevitable transitions.

If you’d like to explore how this keynote can bring lasting value to your people and your business, feel free to email me at david@changelead.com.