Leading by Example Through Openness and Action

The Challenge

Few and Far understands the unique pressures of working in the creative industry. Tight deadlines, creative block and challenging client feedback can all affect people's wellbeing and confidence. The organisation recognised that creating a mentally healthy workplace required leaders to do more than encourage conversations, they needed to demonstrate through their own actions that mental health mattered.

Approach in practice

Drawing on his own lived experience of mental health in the workplace, Co-Founder Colin Grist has helped shape a culture where openness, flexibility and wellbeing are part of everyday working life. He believes that leaders influence workplace culture through what they say and do, and that speaking openly about mental health helps create an environment where colleagues feel comfortable doing the same.

This approach is reflected in the way the organisation operates. Leaders regularly review the working environment, company policies and colleague benefits to ensure they continue to support wellbeing. Few and Far has embedded flexible ways of working since the business was established, provides the equipment colleagues need to work effectively from home where appropriate, and encourages people to take time away from work when they need it.

The organisation also provides a paid Christmas shutdown to support rest and recovery, became a Living Wage Employer to ensure fair pay, and has developed benefits that are relevant and accessible to everyone in the team.

Few and Far also demonstrates its commitment through ongoing investment in colleague wellbeing. By signing the Mindful Employer Charter and joining Mindful Employer+, colleagues have access to an independent and confidential advice line, while the organisation continues to learn from the Leeds Mindful Employer Network and strengthen its approach to supporting mental health at work.

Impact and learning

Few and Far believes that leadership sets the tone for workplace culture. By speaking openly about mental health, role modelling healthy ways of working and designing the business around the wellbeing of its people, the organisation has created an environment where colleagues feel able to be themselves, seek support when they need it and contribute positively to the organisation.

Key takeaway for other employers

Leaders play a vital role in shaping workplace culture. Speaking openly about mental health, modelling healthy working practices and demonstrating through everyday decisions that wellbeing matters can help create an environment where colleagues feel safe to talk, ask for support and do their best work.