A quick summary:
Wellbeing at work isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore. It’s core business strategy. Companies everywhere are investing in benefits, perks, and mental health programmes. But here’s the thing: you can have the most comprehensive benefits package in the world, and still not have a culture of wellbeing.
Why? Because culture doesn’t live in policies or portals - it lives in people. And it’s leaders who must set the tone.
Let’s unpack how leadership shapes a true benefits and wellbeing culture - and how partners like Heka and ilumiti help make it real.
How can leaders set the tone?
Culture doesn’t come from slogans or posters. It comes from what leaders say, do, and prioritise every single day. When it comes to wellbeing, that influence is huge - because people only engage with wellbeing initiatives when they believe leadership is genuinely bought in.
1. Make wellbeing a real business priority
Wellbeing shouldn’t be a side project sitting in HR’s inbox. It should be part of your growth story. Talk about wellbeing in the same breath as productivity, innovation, or performance. When leaders share wellbeing goals, usage data, or engagement progress, it turns wellbeing from a “feel-good topic” into a measurable success factor.
2. Back creating a culture of wellbeing with time and resources
Culture follows investment. That means making room for wellbeing activities in schedules, budgeting for quality benefits, and actively encouraging people to use them. When employees see leaders champion flexible work or block out time to recharge, the message is clear: wellbeing isn’t optional; it’s how we work here.
3. Lead by example
Words don’t build trust, actions do. If leaders are openly taking mental health days, using wellbeing benefits, or setting healthy boundaries, people notice. When the C-suite uses the same perks as everyone else, it sends a powerful message: we mean this.
4. Make it part of accountability
Supporting wellbeing shouldn’t be left to chance. Include it in leadership KPIs. Measure managers on how they help their teams thrive. Link wellbeing outcomes to engagement, retention, and performance. When leaders at all levels are accountable, wellbeing becomes a shared responsibility, instead of an afterthought.
Modeling behaviour takes training
Even the most empathetic leaders need the right tools to lead with wellbeing in mind.
1. Build wellbeing literacy
Leaders don’t need to be therapists, but they do need awareness. Training helps them spot signs of burnout or financial stress, check in with empathy, and guide people toward support. It’s about leading like a human, not a robot.
2. Strengthen communication
A wellbeing culture thrives on trust. That means leaders must be comfortable with open, vulnerable conversations. Training in skills like active listening, delivering feedback, and navigating psychological safety helps leaders create spaces where people feel heard and supported.
3. Take care of leaders too
Leaders can’t pour from an empty cup. Investing in their wellbeing - through coaching, resilience training, or access to the same wellbeing tools - is essential. When leaders feel confident and supported, they lead better.
4. Celebrate small habits
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest impact: skipping weekend emails, starting meetings with a quick wellbeing check-in, or sharing personal wellbeing stories. These everyday acts create ripples that slowly transform culture.
How Heka and ilumiti help leaders bring wellbeing to life
Creating a wellbeing culture doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s powered by the right insights, tools, and partners. That’s where Heka and ilumiti come in, helping leadership teams turn good intentions into action.
How Heka makes wellbeing real, personal, and visible
Heka is an employee benefits platform that turns wellbeing into something tangible. Employees can pick from thousands of experiences, from therapy and coaching to fitness, nutrition, or financial wellbeing support.
For leaders, Heka offers three big advantages:
- Data and insights: Real-time engagement stats show what’s working (and what’s not), helping leaders make smarter wellbeing investments.
- Normalising wellbeing: When leaders use Heka themselves and share their stories, they set the tone - wellbeing becomes part of daily work life, not a perk on a poster.
- Easy communication: Everything’s in one place. That means leaders can communicate and promote benefits confidently and consistently - no more “what’s covered again?” confusion.
With Heka, leaders don’t just talk about wellbeing - they live it.
ilumiti: Strengthening financial wellbeing and benefits strategy
Money stress is one of the biggest wellbeing challenges employees face - and ilumiti helps tackle it head-on. They specialise in benefits, pensions, and financial wellbeing strategies that truly support people.
As Natasha Newby - Employee Benefits Director at ilumiti, states: "Wellbeing is not a perk; it's the foundation of a high-performing and compassionate workplace."
Here’s how ilumiti empowers leadership:
- Strategic benefits consulting: Aligning benefits with both business goals and employee needs.
- Education and communication: Delivering workshops and resources that boost financial confidence and give leaders tools to talk openly about money and benefits.
- Benchmarking and insights: Helping leaders understand how their benefits stack up - and where they can do better.
With ilumiti, leaders can turn financial wellbeing from a stress point into a source of security and trust. Learn more here: Comprehensive Employee Benefits Solutions - ilumiti
Leading the way to a wellbeing culture
Creating a benefits and wellbeing culture isn’t about flashy programmes or one-off campaigns. It’s about consistent, human leadership.
When leaders walk the talk - prioritising wellbeing, setting healthy examples, and partnering with experts like Heka and ilumiti - wellbeing stops being a buzzword. It becomes a shared value that lives in everyday actions.
Because in the end, the most powerful wellbeing strategy isn’t a platform or a perk - it’s leadership that genuinely cares.
Learn more about how to create a strong workplace culture through benefits in our latest webinar, hosted by Heka's CEO & Co-Founder, Alex Hind, and ilumiti's Employee Benefits Director, Natasha Newby.
