How HR Leaders Change the World
Episode 232: Mental Health - From Individual to Workplace Culture Revolution: Geoff McDonald, Mental Health Campaigner
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, Geoff McDonald discusses how he helps leadership and HR create workplaces where everyone can ask for help without stigma.
Advocating that current wellbeing efforts focus too much on individuals, Geoff notes that burnout levels aren’t decreasing despite efforts, and sets out the case for moving to organisation wide wellbeing through culture change.
Mental Health Awareness Week commences on 11th May 2026; this year's theme is Action. Geoff's call to action for you: start with your own mental health. Only when you care about yourself can you lead the workplace culture revolution.
Elevating wellbeing to a strategic priority: Geoff McDonald's work
Thank you to Geoff McDonald for sponsoring this episode.
Geoff is a global advocate, campaigner and consultant passionate about addressing the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces.
As former Global VP of Human Resources at Unilever, Geoff brings practical experience helping organisations elevate wellbeing to a strategic priority in the C-suite. In 2014, he left Unilever to devote his expertise to ending the stigma of depression and anxiety in the workplace - because he knows first-hand that talking about mental health saves lives.
As a business transformation consultant and co-founder of charity Minds@Work, Geoff helps organisations define purpose beyond growth and profitability, and develop holistic wellbeing strategies that unlock true performance potential.
Learn more about Geoff McDonald's work: www.geoffmcdonald.co.uk
Are you looking for your next great read that inspires you and helps your work?
Our book of the month for April is Start with Why by Simon Sinek – a powerful exploration of what separates truly inspiring leaders from the rest.
Simon challenges the conventional focus on what we do or how we do it, and instead argues that great leaders and organisations start with why – their purpose, cause, or belief. Through his Golden Circle framework, he demonstrates how the most inspiring leaders think, act and communicate from the inside out.
Drawing on examples from Apple, Martin Luther King Jr, and the Wright Brothers, Sinek shows that people don't buy what you do – they buy why you do it. When organisations are clear about their purpose, they attract employees and customers who share their beliefs, creating cultures of trust and belonging where people feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This isn't just about messaging; it's about building sustainable success through authentic, purpose-driven leadership.
Whether you're looking to inspire your team, build deeper trust with clients, or create a culture where innovation thrives, Start with Why offers a compelling framework for leading with intention.
Head to UpliftingPeople.com to grab your copy, and we hope you enjoy this month's Uplifting Book.
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