How can leaders support their team's mental health if they ignore their own? In this episode, Kevin talks with Melissa Doman about why leadership mental health deserves more attention. Melissa explains that leaders are often expected to shoulder more responsibility, model resilience, support employee well-being, adapt to constant change, and deliver results—without the same permission or support to care for themselves. Kevin and Melissa explore the pressure leaders face, the self-sacrifice narratives they tell themselves, and why organizations must make it clear that mental health resources are for leaders, too. They also discuss practical first steps, including reflecting on what you want to share, why, whether your workplace is safe for the conversation, and how organizations can build mental health self-management into leadership development.

Melissa's Story: Melissa Doman, MA, is the author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here's Why And How To Do It Really Well), and the new title, Cornered Office: Why We Need To Talk About Leadership Mental Health. She is an Organizational Psychologist, a former Mental Health Therapist, and Founder of The Workplace Mental Health Method™. Melissa works with companies across industries and around the globe, including clients like Google, Progressive, Estée Lauder, the MLS team - Orlando City Soccer Club, Microsoft, and Salesforce. She's spoken and mentored at SXSW and has been featured as a subject matter expert in CNN, Vogue, NPR, Fast Company, the BBC, CNBC, Inc., and LinkedIn's Top 10 Voices on Mental Health. Melissa has one core goal: to equip companies, individuals, and leaders to have constructive conversations about mental health, team dynamics, and communication at work.

Looking to Develop Stronger Leaders?

Want help developing the leaders in your organization? Reach out to explore how the Kevin Eikenberry Group can support your team at info@kevineikenberry.com.

Book Recommendations

Yes You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work — Melissa Doman
Cornered Office — Melissa Doman
The Righteous Mind — Jonathan Haidt
Radical Respect — Kim Scott
Radical Candor — Kim Scott

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