Supporting vulnerable people—whether as a housing manager, social worker, or psychologist—can be incredibly rewarding. But it can also be emotionally exhausting, especially when faced with high needs, complex situations, and limited resources. Many professionals in helping roles experience compassion fatigue—a state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by the chronic stress of supporting others in distress.

A powerful metaphor to navigate this challenge is to be a lighthouse, not a lifeboat—an image that captures the essence of sustainable support work

Over the past 18 months, many New Zealand organisations—from government departments to private enterprises—have undergone significant restructuring due to shifting economic and political realities. These changes affect everyone, from executives making tough decisions to middle managers implementing them, to frontline staff experiencing the direct impact.

This article explores how managers and executives can best support their teams through restructuring. While frontline staff often bear the heaviest burden, leadership plays a crucial role in guiding teams with clarity, care, and integrity.

New Zealand organisations currently face significant economic pressures, from rising costs to market uncertainties. In this environment of tight budgets and careful spending, workplace wellbeing programmes might seem like a discretionary expense. However, investing in employee wellbeing is not just the right thing to do—it makes clear economic sense.

Have you ever sat down at your desk after a long break, only to find you've forgotten your login password, typing a simple email feels like solving an advanced physics problem, and you can't remember what it is you actually do at work? This temporary cognitive fog is a natural part of adjusting back to work and might even serve a purpose in resetting and optimizing your brain.

When was the last time your business actively sought out fundamentally different ways of thinking? Not just different opinions, but new approaches to solving problems and processing information. For New Zealand businesses facing increasing competition and complexity, tapping into neurodiversity – the natural variation in how human brains work – offers an enormous opportunity to unlock innovation, creativity, and performance.

Sleep is often viewed as an afterthought in our fast-paced world, but it’s one of the most powerful contributors to our health and well-being. Prioritizing sleep isn’t just about avoiding that afternoon slump or skipping a cranky mood; it plays a foundational role in virtually every aspect of our mental, emotional, and physical health.