Facilitator
Description
People leaders often notice the early signs that someone isn’t coping but may feel unsure how to respond. This workshop gives leaders clear, practical tools to support their people, with a particular emphasis on the 'conversations that matter' - using a repeatable approach for noticing, opening and holding these conversations, while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
The focus of this workshop is on realistic, in-the-moment skills, not clinical expertise or wellbeing slogans. The workshop combines live practice with reflection on personal patterns (using the Positive Intelligence Saboteurs Assessment). The environment is professional, safe, and does not require personal disclosure.
Learning Outcomes
Participation in this workshop will enable you to:
- recognise stress, mental health challenges, and their impact on work
- recognise early signs of struggle
- build psychological safety in your team
- initiate supportive conversations with confidence, using a clear, repeatable approach
- listen deeply, even when it’s uncomfortable
- respond appropriately to disclosures
- escalate concerns and use referral pathways
- recognise your own saboteur patterns and how they help or hinder these conversations
- maintain your own steadiness and resilience.
Content
Mental Health in the Workplace
- What mental health is (and isn’t)
- How stress affects performance and behaviour
- Why early support matters
Recognising When Someone Isn’t Coping
- Behavioural and performance indicators
- Distinguishing patterns from one‑off events
- Recognising ambiguous behaviour and resistance
- Working with the “I’m fine” pattern
Supportive Conversations
- Using a simple, repeatable conversation framework: OPEN → NOTICE → CHECK IN → LISTEN → REFER → FOLLOW UP
- Language that opens the door
- Listening with head, heart and gut
- Managing discomfort and staying steady
Responding to Disclosures
- What leaders should and shouldn’t do
- Boundaries and safe responses
- Documenting concerns appropriately
Escalation and Referral Pathways
- When to escalate
- Internal and external support options