Who’s Supporting Your Managers? Rethinking Wellbeing from the Middle Out

Managers are at the center of workplace culture, but often on the margins of wellbeing support. They’re expected to model resilience, support mental health, implement HR initiatives, and deliver results, often without the training, time, or tools to care for their own wellbeing. And it shows. Burnout and disengagement are climbing, and the pressure on people leaders is only increasing.

If your workplace strategy overlooks the manager experience, it’s time to rethink support from the middle out.

Why manager wellbeing can’t be an afterthought

Managers are consistently named as both a top source of workplace stress and a key driver of positive team wellbeing. And yet:

• Few employees feel comfortable speaking with their manager about mental health, especially those currently struggling
• Even experienced leaders may find it hard to apply wellbeing principles when they’re overwhelmed themselves
• Many managers are promoted without formal people-leadership training, leaving them unprepared to handle emotionally charged or high-pressure moments

The result is that managers are caught in the middle. They care deeply, but they’re often unsupported and unequipped.

Data from more than 800 employee surveys shows that when managers model healthy behaviors, teams report higher engagement, fewer absences, and better overall wellbeing.

So how can HR make it easier for managers to show up well, without launching another initiative?

Supporting managers isn’t just about giving them tips—it’s about embedding them into a broader culture of wellbeing. This short video shows how LifeSpeak’s integrated approach connects mental health, fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and more to help managers—and their teams—thrive.

4 wellbeing strategies every manager needs
Expert-backed guidance from the LifeSpeak library

1. Normalize self-awareness and boundaries

Strong leadership starts with self-awareness. But too often, managers are praised for pushing through stress instead of setting boundaries. As LifeSpeak expert Dr. Jo Yarker, PhD, explains, consistent, respectful behavior under pressure is what builds trust. Managers don’t need to be therapists, but they do need tools and permission to check in with themselves, acknowledge stress, and model balance.

2. Lead with transparency during uncertainty

“Choosing to lead with transparency while uncertain, if done mindfully, can actually strengthen your team,” says LifeSpeak expert Dr. Marni Amsellem, PhD. Managers often feel they need to have all the answers, but what their teams need most is honest, calm communication. Scripts, prompts, and realistic examples can help make difficult conversations feel less daunting.

3. Prioritize, delegate, and let go of perfection

High performers often overfunction when stress rises. But trying to do it all isn’t leadership, it’s a fast track to burnout. In LifeSpeak’s resilience training resources, Dr. Yarker emphasizes the value of prioritization and delegation. When managers learn to focus on what matters most, share the load, and communicate clearly, teams thrive, and so do their leaders.

4. Understand the psychology of leading others

Leadership isn’t just tactical, it’s emotional. LifeSpeak expert Dr. Winny Shen explores how stress, self-judgment, and perfectionism can get in the way of good leadership. When managers understand their own patterns and values, they’re better equipped to support others with empathy and intention.

Where LifeSpeak fits in

You don’t need a new program to support managers. You need tools that are easy to access, simple to share, and grounded in real expertise. That’s where LifeSpeak Holistic Wellness comes in.

With LifeSpeak, HR teams can:

• Offer self-paced tools that help managers boost energy, mindset, and emotional regulation
• Share expert-led guidance for handling uncertainty, tough conversations, and stress
• Support skills like boundary-setting and effective delegation, without adding to anyone’s workload

Managers can access short videos, real-life scenarios, and practical tips anytime, anywhere. There are no long courses to complete or extra logins to manage. It’s support that works the way managers work, in the moment and under pressure.

Supporting the people who support everyone else

When managers are taking care of their own wellbeing, teams perform better. Supporting them doesn’t have to mean reworking your entire benefits strategy. It can start with key resources that are visible and easy to access.

LifeSpeak helps make that possible.

Need manager-specific resources you can roll out today?
LifeSpeak Holistic Wellness offers expert-led content on stress, leadership, communication, and more, designed to meet managers where they are.
Explore what’s available – book a demo today.

FAQ

Why is manager wellbeing critical to team success?

Because managers influence culture, productivity, and team resilience more than almost any other factor. When they’re supported, everyone benefits.

How can HR support managers without overwhelming them?

Use simple, scalable tools like short videos, mental health prompts, or conversation scripts that managers can access on their own time.

What if a manager feels unprepared to handle mental health issues?

They don’t have to be experts. With the right support, managers can spot signs of stress and guide employees to the right resources.

What are the best tools for manager wellbeing in 2025?

Look for expert-led, self-paced resources that fit seamlessly into daily routines—like microlearning videos and practical leadership prompts.

How does manager burnout affect overall company performance?

Burnout in leadership trickles down. It lowers engagement, increases absenteeism, and reduces psychological safety across teams.