Our Little Island-based company recently hosted Motivate. Prepare. Empower in Cork - a leadership event focused on employee wellness and motivation, as well as the upcoming roll-out of Auto Enrolment pensions.

The response was overwhelming: more than 100 human resources (HR) professionals, business owners, and senior leaders gathered to hear from expert speakers on how to navigate the changing landscape of workplace wellbeing.

For me, one message came through loud and clear: employee wellbeing has evolved from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic necessity.

The data supports this - nearly 70% of Irish employees say wellness is a key priority in the workplace, yet more than a third feel their managers aren’t adequately trained to support it.

Add financial anxiety into the mix, and you’ve got a perfect storm.

Here are five key takeaways I believe every leader should consider in light of the Cork event:

1. Leadership is a Sherpa Role

Bernard Jackman delivered a brilliant keynote address, reminding us that great leaders aren’t just figureheads - they’re guides.

He introduced the concept of the ‘Business Sherpa’, someone who helps others navigate........

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