The Padded Cell Russ Stilwell

In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of “high-functioning wellbeing” is often celebrated as a key to success. However, it’s important to recognise that even high achievers can face significant wellbeing risks – after all, we are all human!

While individuals may appear to excel in their professional and personal lives, the pressure to maintain peak performance can lead to detrimental outcomes. The Padded Cell Information Vault has unearthed insights into the hidden risks of high-functioning wellbeing, shedding light on the following:

1️⃣1. Burnout in Disguise

Constantly pushing boundaries and attempting to exceed expectations can ultimately take its toll on both mental and emotional health, leading to an inadvertent burnout situation which will often go unnoticed or by the time it is noticed and faced, the wellbeing health damage can be well established and manifesting in a negative way effecting a non-sustainable daily function and declining spiral.

2. Masking Struggles

High-functioning individuals may adeptly conceal their internal struggles because they may perceive showing struggles of any kind as a weakness, making it challenging for colleagues and loved ones to recognise and provide support and action for their wellbeing needs.

3. Neglecting Self-Care

The relentless pursuit of unrealistic growth and or non-sustainable goal trajectories can lead to neglect of self-care practices and culture.  This has a compounded impact on the business’s people and the culture created from within, which further exacerbates the risk of mental health challenges and maintaining psychologically safe environment – Self-Care starts from within!

3. Imposter Syndrome

Despite outward success, many high-functioning individuals battle imposter syndrome, manifesting feelings of unworthiness and/or an inability to recognise accomplishments and the guts needed to be an entrepreneur in the arena; perpetuating a cycle of stress and anxiety that borders and in a lot instances is stone wall psychological self harm.  But it’s a way of coping that takes time to recondition the mind away from.

It’s crucial for any size of organisation to acknowledge how lonely it can be in any high functioning role and implement ongoing monitoring & review of the four factors listed above so the early warning signs and signals can be spotted. 

By fostering open dialogue, prioritising work-life balance culture, and normalising seeking support from the top down and bottom up, organisations can create a foundation that promotes sustainable high performance and a genuine wellbeing culture.

Join the conversation and unlock the full insights within the Padded Cell Information Vault. Let’s work towards a future where success and wellbeing go hand in hand. #Wellbeing #HighPerformance #MentalHealth #PaddedCellInsights

Russ Stilwell