# How to manage burnout and how leaders should support employee wellbeing | Tom Keya Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2022-07-26 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: Tom Keya's Insights on Managing Burnout and Employee Meta Description: Discover how Tom Keya, founder of Soulh, tackles burnout and supports employee happiness with innovative corporate wellbeing software and mental health supplements. URL: https://financedigest.com/how-to-manage-burnout-and-how-leaders-should-support-employee-wellbeing-tom-keyahtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/tom-keya-ruthberg-llc-and-soulh-1736815533966-compressed.jpg) **Tom Keya gives a leader’s perspective on managing burnout and supporting employee wellbeing.** **Tom Keya the founder of Soulh, a new corporate wellbeing software for managing employee happiness. He is also a business development consultant with a good understanding of just how important better mental health support is in sustainable business growth (including retention and consistent adequate performance).** **After years of mental health pressures, he made a complete career change  He now wants to help others avoid this.** **Tom Keya on Employee Burnout** Burnout and its pretty staggering [impact on mental and physical health](https://www.financedigest.com/the-impact-of-debt-on-your-health-and-what-you-can-do-about-it.html "The Impact of Debt On Your Health, And What You Can Do About It") is something Tom takes seriously (and personally). Tom’s own [mental health issues led him to not only take a career break](https://www.financedigest.com/breaking-the-stigma-men-and-mental-health-in-the-world-of-investments.html "Breaking the Stigma: Men and Mental Health in the World of Investments") from practising law, but also to totally refocus on what really matters in his own life. **How Tom Keya’s own mental and physical health suffered due to burnout** A long, successful career as a London-based lawyer had left Tom Keya reeling with mental and physical health problems. “I found myself at a kind of dark crossroads in my career and in my life,” explains Tom Keya. “After years of chasing perfectionism – as lawyers tend to do – in an unforgivingly stressful industry sector, I hit a wall.” A complete mental health breakdown led to Tom Keya feeling he had lost his sense of purpose as well as his mental health and self-worth. “Working within these kinds of professional services can have catastrophic effects on people’s mental health, and I was no exception,” Tom Keya goes on to say. ![Mental health issues](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/tom-keya-employee-mental-health-1736815533885-compressed.jpg) **The importance of taking mental health issues seriously** Having been forced into a total career firebreak, Tom Keya focused on putting himself and his mental health issues first. He explains: “I needed to take time to learn how to enjoy life again, how to enjoy work and how to feel human.” Following an extended break, Tom Keya found that his [life improved](https://www.financedigest.com/european-junk-debt-sales-spring-back-to-life-as-sentiment-improves.html "European junk debt sales spring back to life as sentiment improves") on every level. He says: “I developed a newfound sense of emotional stability. This, in turn, helped me to recover my drive and business creativity.” For Tom Keya, mental health in the workplace should be the most [important concern for every business](https://www.financedigest.com/four-reasons-whycloud-based-inventory-management-is-important-for-your-ecommerce-business.html "Four reasons whycloud-based inventory management is important for your ecommerce business") leader. He says: “The importance of employee mental health cannot be understated. Mental health support needs to be in place, whether we’re talking about [law firms](https://www.financedigest.com/international-law-firm-calls-in-viato-connect-uk-and-us-offices.html "INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM CALLS IN VIATO CONNECT UK AND US OFFICES") or any other sector. And he’s put his money and business skills where his mouth is, with the subsequent [launch of Soulh](https://www.tomkeya.com/what-works-best-when-monitoring-mental-health-in-the-corporate-environment/), which is an innovative company focused on the need for systemic change regarding mental health issues across many different sectors. Soulh tech is the arm of the business that is designed specifically to help [leaders understand the pressures facing](https://www.financedigest.com/infosecurity-europe-agenda-spotlights-innovation-as-security-leaders-address-cybersecurity-spend-in-the-face-of-economic-headwinds.html "Infosecurity Europe agenda spotlights innovation as security leaders address cybersecurity spend in the face of economic headwinds") their workforce so that they can improve mental health and stave off burnout in the workplace. Soulh also sells a range of carefully refined mental health supplements that can form a vitally important piece of support. ![Tom Keya is on a mission to raise awareness among like minded business leaders](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/tom-keya-corporate-wellbeing-1736815533893-compressed.jpg) **Tom Keya is on a [mission to raise awareness among like minded business](https://www.financedigest.com/new-business-launches-to-support-it-professionalsfacing-mission-critcial-sector-challenges.html "NEW BUSINESS LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT IT PROFESSIONALSFACING MISSION CRITCIAL SECTOR CHALLENGES") leaders** While Soulh has a clear mission to improve [employee mental health in the workplace](https://www.financedigest.com/norway-wealth-fund-employee-sues-for-workplace-gender-discrimination.html "Norway wealth fund employee sues for workplace gender discrimination") and to raise awareness among C-suite managers of the importance of doing so, Tom is on a wider mission to combat mental health problems. Now in control of his own mental health, Tom is able to extend his expertise into philanthropic and [strategic work in stress management](https://www.financedigest.com/the-importance-of-strategic-human-resource-management.html "The Importance of Strategic Human Resource Management"). He’s a passionate supporter of employee wellness and believes that business [leaders](https://www.financedigest.com/3-impactful-ways-that-leaders-can-contribute-to-the-independent-development-of-their-employees.html "3 Impactful Ways that Leaders Can Contribute to the Independent Development of Their Employees") should encourage employees to reach out for support when necessary. **Raising awareness of the need for systemic change** “I do not, of course, focus purely on the urgent need for better mental health support, but I would say it forms a strong basis for my work in this sector and across the board,” says Tom. “When employees, whether they’re lawyers or in any other sector, experience burnout they need a specific kind of support for their health. “My experience tells me that when we’re deep in a mental health crisis, we urgently need to step out of it. People regularly attempt to grind on through it. However, all this does it make it worse, not only for the individual themselves but the whole team. And while taking responsibility for ourselves and our mental health in the workplace is one aspect of dealing with this systemic problem, in order to do this, we must feel [supported by business](https://www.financedigest.com/uks-sunak-to-halve-support-that-helps-businesses-pay-fuel-bills-the-times.html "UK’s Sunak to halve support that helps businesses pay fuel bills -The Times") leaders. **[Supporting employee wellbeing](https://www.financedigest.com/73-of-employees-in-the-banking-and-financial-services-industries-are-looking-for-better-physical-and-mental-wellbeing-support-in-the-workplace.html "73% of employees in the banking and financial services industries are looking for better physical and mental wellbeing support in the workplace") is essential** Successful [stress management is a combination of employees](https://www.financedigest.com/4-reasons-your-finance-employees-are-showing-signs-of-stress.html "4 reasons your finance employees are showing signs of stress") taking control of their own wellbeing and business leaders taking the time to formulate a better understanding of the problem. Tom is a vocal supporter of the [need to raise awareness of the urgent need for this level of support from business leaders](https://www.financedigest.com/leaders-recognise-the-importance-of-green-transport-at-cop27-but-we-need-data.html "Leaders recognise the importance of green transport at COP27, but we need data"). Can every business leader say that each of their [employees is supported in this key](https://www.financedigest.com/5-key-things-you-need-to-know-before-hiring-your-first-employee.html "5 Key Things You Need to Know Before Hiring Your First Employee") area?” says Tom. “Mental health issues in the workplace and their impact across the board are rising in urgency and number. “Particularly since the global pandemic began, there has been a significant increase in working remotely. This, while one of the excellent digital solutions at our disposal as business leaders to keep work flowing, can add to people’s feelings of isolation and therefore adversely [impact employee wellbeing](https://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/article/the-2022-state-of-workforce-mental-health).” ![Mental and physical health are inextricably linked](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/systematic-approach-change-to-employee-care-1736815533876-compressed.jpg) **Mental and physical health are inextricably linked** Tom’s work now has a strong emphasis on not just the mental health of employees, but also the physical health of employees. The two often go hand in hand and Tom regularly [communicates about the pressures of legal life and its impact](https://www.financedigest.com/how-mifid-ii-will-impact-financial-advisor-communications.html "HOW MIFID II WILL IMPACT FINANCIAL ADVISOR COMMUNICATIONS") on mental health in various online publications. Writing my story and introducing new concepts for dealing with the problem in online publications on mental health and across various high pressure sectors including business development, impact investment, [wealth managers](https://www.financedigest.com/wealth-management-consultant.html "Wealth management consultant") and more allows me to positively influence this important area within the workplace,” explains Tom. “My experience centred around a severe mental breakdown caused by work stress and burnout in the workplace. While trying to find the right kind of support, I exacerbated the problem by joining a high stress start-up. It was only then that I realised I had to ‘stop the world and get off’. That’s when I took a total break from the workplace and began to focus on my health.” **Exercise and therapy helped Tom’s recovery** For his personal recovery, Tom cites the benefits of undergoing professional therapy, playing sports and taking exercise and spending time watching movies to relax. He says: “I quickly found I had little option but to take every day as it came. Slowly and steadily, I began to find out what really makes me happy and what I can focus on in this world that enables me to make a real difference. I also moved from London to Dubai – I needed a change of environment and to [live in a different part of the world](https://www.financedigest.com/cheapest-countries-to-live-in-the-world.html "Cheapest countries to live in the world"). A mix of outdoor activities, sports and therapy helped get my creativity and interest in several other topics going.” **The rise in mental health issues in the workplace** Tom regularly writes about the impact of things like remote [working on young people in particular and firmly believes](https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-5-uk-workers-believe-there-is-a-gender-divide-with-work-uniforms.html " 1 in 5 UK workers believe there is a gender divide with work uniforms") that a multi-pronged approach in the workplace is necessary. Whether you’re a [fund manager or a business development](https://www.financedigest.com/plastic-antibody-developer-strengthens-board-following-further-investment-from-mercia-fund-management.html "“Plastic antibody” developer strengthens board following further investment from Mercia Fund Management") guru, there may come a time when work no longer feels like the most important thing in the world,” explains Tom. “Being able to take a career break is an incredibly helpful thing to do. The feeling that everything [ends if you leave your job](https://www.financedigest.com/hp-to-cut-about-12-jobs-by-end-of-fiscal-2025.html "HP to cut about 12% jobs by end of fiscal 2025") is rarely true. Taking time out to rehabilitate your physical and mental health can only make you better positioned for the rest of your career. “We are all on our own journeys through our careers, whether we’re in business development or the public sector. With my law practice in Dubai, I actively encourage employees to take breaks when they need to. If you have the talent in your workforce, then as a [manager or CEO](https://www.financedigest.com/exclusive-crypto-giant-binance-moved-400-million-from-u-s-partner-to-firm-managed-by-ceo-zhao.html "Exclusive-Crypto giant Binance moved 0 million from U.S. partner to firm managed by CEO Zhao"), you should be concentrating on generating loyalty. And this is achieved by leading compassionately.” ![Management must support employees when they need it](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/bad-management-costs-1736815533902-compressed.jpg) **Management must [support employees](https://www.financedigest.com/5-ways-to-support-your-employees-during-the-cost-of-living-crisis.html "5 ways to support your employees during the cost of living crisis ") when they need it** A dual approach to rewarding employees works best for Tom and his team in Dubai. Part of this is allowing substantial breaks for employees who are under high levels of stress. He says: “There’s nothing better than welcoming people back to the team when they’ve been [supported in a way](https://www.financedigest.com/5-ways-the-fs-industry-can-support-the-recovery.html "5 ways the FS industry can support the recovery") that allows them to thrive. I love the creativity that people tend to [bring back](https://www.financedigest.com/trump-charges-bring-new-york-zombie-case-back-to-life.html "Trump charges bring New York ‘zombie case’ back to life") to work with them following an extended break for their mental health – it really shows in their work and approach. Tom regularly communicates with like minded leaders within the legal profession to raise awareness of the kinds of approaches he believes make a difference. **Developing digital tools that help C-suite executives** This can also be seen with his development of the digital solutions offered by Soulh. Explaining how the platform works, Tom says: “We give [CEOs and managers](https://www.financedigest.com/fineco-ceo-expects-fixed-income-demand-to-help-managed-assets.html "Fineco CEO expects fixed income demand to help managed assets") real life data that shows exactly how their employees are feeling. “It’s a very simple ideology – business leaders can only make a tangible difference to their employees if they know about the problem in the first place. And that’s what our platform does – furnishes them with the information they need. “It’s not a solution in and of itself, rather it’s a tool that managers or CEOs can use to attain true visibility of the mood and wellbeing of their team. For example, if a team is consistently struggling, the data will show this. “The data is gathered through a very simple, quick survey every Monday morning. Timing is, of course important, and we felt that this was the optimal time to get honest feedback from employees. We use this platform in addition to the supplements, which are herbal in derivation, to raise awareness of mental health in the [workplace and to help people who need](https://www.financedigest.com/anyone-can-write-assignment-need-people-able-apply-new-skills-workplace-says-top-investment-management-company.html "“Anyone can write an assignment, but we need people to be able to apply their new skills to the workplace,” says top investment management company") some extra support. **It is always possible to make a change for the better** Tom is keen for people to understand that it is always possible to [make a change for the better](https://www.flashpack.com/careers/career-break-sabbatical-benefits/). His background is in law, and while he had given much of his [life and education](https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-3-adults-dont-believe-school-education-prepared-them-for-adult-life.html "1 in 3 adults don’t believe school education prepared them for adult life") to the sector, Tom still recognised when he needed to take a break. He says: “It can be very difficult to put yourself first in a sector such as law. This also applies to any number of other professional services, of course. “There is often the feeling that it isn’t possible to just stop what you’re doing because your mental health is suffering. And this pressure then leads to burnout, exhaustion, and endless pressure. Often, it can be difficult to see yourself as anything other than the professional you’ve been for so long. “But there is always another option. Skillsets are transferable and opportunities exist. If you are struggling with your mental health because of your job, plan and take time for you. It will only help you in the long run.” For more on Tom Keya, [click here.](https://www.tomkeya.com/about-tom-keya/) --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---