Exclusive research-backed insights into the secrets to employee wellness and performance in today’s world of work
Through a straightforward, science-based approach, Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives explains the steps to become a Generator—the type of leader who people want to work for and organizations want to hire—by leading in a way that fosters trust and positive connections with employees. This book is based on two in-depth studies conducted by the authors, where they found that the keys to employee satisfaction, wellbeing, retention, and productivity were found in the behavior of leaders and the environment those leaders cultivated.
Written by experienced industrial/organizational psychologists Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer and packed with real-life stories to add context, this book explores topics including:
Addressing the mismatch in the definition of wellness between employees and employersFocusing on the tone leaders set at work, as opposed to time they spend at workCrafting work to support life, instead of the other way around, to support and respond to employees’ unique needs.
At a time when employee morale has never been lower, Leading for Wellness is an essential read for current and aspiring business leaders and managers seeking exclusive data-based insights on how to solve one of the most pressing problems in business today.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B0F1ZJYQS3
Publisher : Wiley
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : March 18, 2025
Edition : 1st
Language : English
File size : 11.6 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 264 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1394292035
Page Flip : Enabled
Lizziebrs –
Excellent, actionable, and helpful take on Leadership
This book takes a novel and very helpful view on leadership. In my work, I have experienced how managers are increasingly tasked with not only leading and managing but also ensuring that their team members are mentally well. This book gives leaders and HR practitioners excellent, hands-on techniques to accomplish this.The authors carefully balance science with creating a practical, actionable approach. The numerous worksheets basically set the reader up to make plans and get to work right away. I have recommended this book to various clients and will use it in my own work.
JS –
Essential Reading for Leaders Focused on Wellness
“Leading for Wellness” by Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer is an invaluable resource for leaders committed to fostering a culture of wellness. As an industrial psychologist and HR professional, I found the book’s research-backed insights both practical and transformative.Grabarek and Sawyer address the critical mismatch between employee and employer definitions of wellness, emphasizing the importance of aligning these perspectives. They provide actionable strategies for leaders to cultivate a positive work atmosphere that supports well-being and productivity. The book also highlights the necessity of crafting work to support life, rather than the other way around.Filled with practical advice and real-world examples, “Leading for Wellness” makes it easy for leaders to implement these strategies. Whether aiming to improve team morale, reduce burnout, or enhance performance, this book offers the tools needed to make a meaningful impact.I highly recommend “Leading for Wellness” to any leader serious about creating a supportive and thriving team culture. It is essential reading for anyone in HR or organizational psychology.
Trevor –
A practical and timely guide to leading in today’s workplace
This book is packed with actionable strategies to help leaders develop and guide their teams more effectively. It has helped change the way I think about leading teams in todayâs workplace, where authenticity matters and people are looking for their work to support their life rather than diminish it. I’m excited to use this book as a resource in my classes to help future leaders understand the value of wellness and how to make it a reality.
Marcus Mossberger –
Wellness as a way of working
Traditional organizations think of well-being as a program or initiative, but Patricia and Katina prove that wellness is actually a way of working that anyone can embrace. They do this by putting definition around the relevant constructs, speaking with employees about their real-life experiences and aggregating their findings in pragmatic prose that anyone can understand. But what I really loved was how they acknowledged that the line between personal and professional is different for everyone, and that authenticity and vulnerability are crucial for any leader looking to cultivate a culture of well-being at work.
Stephanie –
Finally a REAL guide on workplace wellness!
If youâve ever worked somewhere that claimed to care about wellness but still burned everyone out, this book is for you. Leading for Wellness breaks down how to actually create a work culture where people donât just surviveâthey thrive.It’s refreshing to FINALLY hear someone address the disconnect between what employees need and what companies think they need. (Hint: Free snacks donât fix burnout.) Instead, they give real, practical ways to build a workplace thatâs flexible, supportive, and actually good for mental health. Itâs an easy, insightful read that makes you rethink what âwellnessâ at work should look like. Whether youâre a manager or just someone tired of toxic workplaces, this book is a game-changer!
Anthony Chwastyk –
Gold Standard from the Top Commentators
Drs. Sawyer and Grabarek are the leaders in this field, and this book being the distillation of decades of work is no doubt going to set standard in human resources and corporate leadership. They dont sell fluff, they sell data driven results that have worked for real companies. If you have any interest in growing your company morale in a meaningful way, this text is required reading.
Angelica Rocco –
Loved it!
What a great book! âLeading for Wellnessâ should be required reading for anyone who wants to be a leader – even if you donât have an official leadership title in a work setting – while also embracing and promoting wellness. If you would like to lead with intention and authenticity – whether within your company/organization, your family, or your community – this is the book for you!Katina and Patricia are true experts within the industrial-organizational psychology field, and throughout the book, their impressive research and expertise are complemented by their genuine warmth and a down-to-earth tone. This is a data-driven book that anyone can relate to and learn actionable things from!
Sudha Solayappan –
A thriving leader creates thriving teams.
Reading Leading with Wellness felt like a deep exhale I didnât know I needed.What struck me about this book is its ability to share deep nuanced insights and make it immediately actionable for you. Itâs like a well-balanced yoga pose: equal parts grounding and reaching for something higher.One line that stuck with me: âA thriving leader creates thriving teams.â Simple, yet so true. It made me reflect on how often we pour from an empty cupâand this book shows us not just how to refill it, but how to keep it overflowing.If youâre a leader (or aspire to be one) and want to lead with impact and integrity, this book is your go-to. Do yourself a favor and order it now.
Alison D –
This book has quickly become one of the key leadership resources I refer to and recommend to others who want to lead with empathy and intention.As someone who leads a large team in a high pressure environment, I found this book refreshingly honest and incredibly practical. It does not waste time with surface-level wellness advice. Instead, it offers a clear and research-driven approach to leadership that actually improves how teams feel and perform.The concept of being a Generator resonated deeply with me. The SWIFT framework and the emphasis on authenticity, trust, and boundaries are simple to understand and immediately useful. I have already applied several ideas with my team and have seen a noticeable difference in how we connect and communicate.If you care about leading in a way that supports your people and gets results, this is a book worth reading and returning to often.
K. Wong –
Amazing resource for anyone looking to improve their leadership style. Very well thought out, research-backed, and based on personal experiences – I can’t recommend this book enough.Going through the content, you can very quickly see that both Patricia and Katina truly care about what they are teaching you in this book.I am personally working towards a leadership role now and this has set a solid foundation for how I want to continue to develop myself professionally.If you are at all interested in workplace health, well-being, and culture, then you won’t be disappointed by this.
Erika –
As an expert in creating spaces for teams to thrive, I found Leading for Wellness to be a transformative guide that clearly demonstrates how supportive leadership fosters healthier, more engaged, and innovative teams. The book compellingly argues that when leaders invest in employee well-being, employees not only perform better and achieve their goals but also contribute to greater organizational profitability and societal impact. It’s an essential, actionable blueprint for any forward-thinking leader committed to nurturing both team success and community well-being.