I started my career as a manager in the retail sector. I quickly realised that the keys to leadership lay in keeping my team happy. If my people were happy, they looked after customers well. If the customers were well looked after, they spent more money and came back more often. Simple!

When I moved on to an office-based role I found that most managers were less concerned about the emotional state of their people and more concerned about the work that was being done. Or not. Because I was in the habit of paying attention to the well-being of my team I carried on and was rewarded with the insight that it was still true – if my people are happy, they get better results.

You probably knew that. But do you know how to keep your people consistently in a positive mental state? What about doing it for yourself?

These past two years have tested everyone’s emotional resilience – mine included. There are a few key practices I’d love to share with you because they support mental wellbeing. Keeping yourself in a good frame of mind is possibly one of the most important responsibilities you have as a leader.