Open Mike #2: Wellbeing is King: Why this New Workplace Currency Matters
Since the beginning of time, humans have exchanged goods and services out of necessity. This created a need for currency, which is defined as “circulation as a medium of exchange.” Over the course of centuries, this exchange has taken on many different forms, such as bartering, metals, coins, promissory notes, gold, silver and copper. As of today, we’ve settled on digital currency and paper money for our global economy — but the need for currency stretches far beyond the marketplace.
In the workplace, I believe there is a hidden, unspoken currency that occurs between employees and employers. Back in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, this workplace currency consisted of job security, health benefits, reasonable salaries, wellness, etc. It was pretty common for a person to hold the same job for 20 to 30 years, then retire and receive their gold watch and plaque. But times have changed, and I believe there is a new workplace currency is king: wellbeing.
FROM WELLNESS TO WELLBEING
When we talk about wellbeing, it’s important to understand the ways it differs from wellness. Wellness in the workplace primarily deals with physical health, which usually consists of a gym membership, physicals, screenings, and checkups. Wellness can help reduce stress and build up physical health, but that’s just one piece of the complex puzzle. We must also focus on the whole person. That’s where wellbeing comes in.
Wellbeing is holistic. It refers to a person’s capacity to flourish, reach their full potential, and thrive in life. This is an important distinction for organizations to make, because when recruiting and retaining future employees, wellbeing will become their primary currency.
WELLBEING AS TABLE STAKES FOR EMPLOYEES
When prospective employees — especially Millennials and Gen Z — consider working for an organization, wellbeing will be their priority. So, what type of contributions will they look for? This new currency means they’ll seek an organization that values happiness and positive emotions, utilizes their strengths, provides a supportive culture, helps them discover meaning and purpose at work, and affords opportunities for career growth.
While this may sound like a lofty list of expectations for employers, the reality is: these things are necessary for an employee’s wellbeing. People don’t just want a job anymore; they want to live well-rounded lives and feel like they’re making a difference within their organization, while also developing as a person.
Right now, you may be asking yourself: Is the old workplace currency still relevant? It absolutely is. The need for job security, health benefits, and a reasonable salary isn’t going anywhere; however, the defining factor influencing if an employee chooses to stay at your organization will be wellbeing. It’s similar to how our economy works today. Although we live in a time where most businesses and people use credit cards and debit cards to pay for goods and services (digital currency), people still use paper cash for purchases at times. Will cash ever go away? Probably not — but now and in the future, digital currency is the most relevant option for transactions. The same concept applies to the old and new currencies in the workplace. The old currency will always matter, but wellbeing will be what keeps employees around.
WORD ON THE STREET
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After completing my undergraduate degree, I was eager to give back to my community, so I took on a role as a social worker, providing school-based mental health services to at-risk youth in alternative schools. To this day, it stands out as one of the most rewarding jobs of my career. Working directly with young people facing incredible challenges opened my eyes to the depth of the youth mental health crisis, especially in underserved urban areas. Resources are limited, and many schools struggle to find the support their students need. The issue goes beyond the youth themselves; there’s a critical shortage of mental health professionals in the workforce, and schools are feeling the effects.
Addressing youth mental health requires early intervention and increased visibility for mental health careers among young people. By bringing more awareness to this crisis in schools and encouraging youth to consider a future in mental health, we create a dual benefit: helping young people receive support sooner and inspiring the next generation of mental health professionals. The path toward better mental health outcomes for youth starts not only with more resources in schools but also with a robust, diverse pipeline of professionals ready to meet the need. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to invest in both immediate support for students and long-term solutions that include a new, inspired workforce.
Tools for Thriving
As a workplace mental health consultant, I often base my workplace interventions on positive psychology because it's rooted in science, with research backing its effectiveness in fostering resilience and well-being. Positive psychology isn’t just theory, it’s practical and accessible, making it valuable for both personal growth and organizational health. I’m sharing this video to clarify the fundamentals of positive psychology: what it is, what it isn’t, and why its research matters to individuals and organizations. Understanding these basics helps create environments where people can truly flourish, making positive psychology an essential tool in building healthier, more resilient workplaces.
About Michael Dickerson
Michael Dickerson is the CEO of Dickerson Consulting Group, specializing in stress management, workplace mental health, and employee wellbeing. He is the author of Struggle Well at Work: Positive Mental Health Strategies for a Flourishing Workforce and is a national speaker, trainer, and consultant on employee wellbeing and workplace mental health. Visit website www.dickersoncg.com.
