Mental Health and The Power of Perspective

We write a lot about the benefits of events and networking. But there’s one benefit we don’t shout about enough – events help support mental health.

As mental health week approaches (11^th May) within elite performance circles we are used to discussing mental health in terms of resilience, productivity, or avoiding burnout. But sometimes the simplest tool to have in your arsenal is also the most underrated, connection.

The cost of isolation on mental health

Mental health is dictated far more by how connected we feel to others, to ideas and to wider experience. That’s why executive events and curated networking can be so powerful, and we all know that leaders spend a lot of time alone in their head.

Often, we don’t realise how isolated you are in a leadership position until you reach one. And it can be a lonely place. Suddenly, everyone around you is a report. Those at your level become few and far between. You have fewer and fewer people to validate decisions with, share challenges and just… talk openly with. Leadership can be a lonely place.

Interaction matters for mental health

Many leaders crave this kind of interaction. So where can they find it? Hint: it’s not LinkedIn.

External environments provide a safe space for leaders to:

Remove hierarchy: conversations are peer-to-peer

Share challenges without judgement or internal risk

Realise they’re not alone in what they’re going through

Realising that no one has everything sorted 100% of the time is strangely comforting.

Networking doesn’t have to be bad networking. Ask anyone if they “love” networking and you’ll probably receive a few eye rolls. Traditional networking can be forced. Transactional. Stressful.

Done right, though, curated events can change the entire feel:

Smaller numbers allow people to open up

Every person in the room has shared context (industry, challenges, job level)

Conversation can flow naturally rather than in an appointment style.

It’s no wonder so many people find lifelong friends through events.

Events let you put your ‘performance hat’ down

Most of us work in professions where we’re solving problems for others. Any leader will spend their day fielding questions to which they should have the answers.

Events let you step away from that feeling. They provide the mental space to:

Understand concepts, not just soak up info

Have deeper conversations

Step away from reactive thinking

Answers aren’t always the most valuable thing a person can walk away with.

Same story, different field

Imagine being a surgeon, it’s your first major operation and you’ve never done anything like it before. How would you feel if your colleague turned to you and said:

“Trust me. You got this. I did the same procedure last week.” The same principle applies to business.

Whether it’s leveraging AI transformation, managing a portfolio of people or delivering ambitious targets; being amongst your peers who GET IT instils confidence. That confidence is why people continue to attend events, long after they stop needing new contacts.

Connecting is good for mental health

This year Mental Health Awareness Week took place between 14-20 May. Every year there are lots of articles published on how individuals can better support and cope with mental health.

But have you ever thought about how your organisation can play a part? For senior level professionals, few things are better for your mental health than knowing there are other people out there who understand your experiences. That’s why facilitating more in-person events doesn’t just help your business, it helps your people.

We often get caught up looking at the pipeline ROI of events. Did you make enough sales calls? How many partnerships were formed? What deals are you closing?

Intangible Benefits for mental health

But what about the intangible benefits?

Feeling good about yourself

Knowing you’re not alone

Building a supportive peer network

Empowerment to make better decisions

In a world where pressures on leaders are higher than ever, those things are just as important. If you’ve made it this far, chances are you know exactly what we’re talking about.

Sometimes the best thing an event can give you… is perspective.

…and remember if you are struggling, please reach out to the many associations who can support you.

Contact Be Executive Events today, and plan your next high-impact executive event.