Gold medalist Simone Biles advocates for mental health while pursuing Paris 2024 Olympics.
Simone Biles, a trailblazer and Olympian, is an inclusive leader. Today, I want to focus on her amplification of mental resources that can help those navigating trauma in the workplace. In particular, Biles, who identifies as a Black woman, can provide help and support to the more than 60% of Black women in the workplace who face challenges that contribute to mental stressors. According to The Hartford, 41% of Black workers struggle to find an inclusive space in their workplace that supports mental well-being. Biles’s attitude toward leveraging mental resources is a positive light to combat the stigma that typically surrounds mental health as a challenge. Experts say organizations feel the impact of mental health issues in the form of lost productivity, disruptions to work time, and more. So, inclusive leaders can prioritize lessons from Biles’ leadership example to help effectively manage teams in the workplace.
Gold medalist Simone Biles is all smiles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Simone Biles is a mental health advocate
Simone Biles’ journey is a testament to the resilience it takes to overcome mental health challenges. Her courageous decision to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the height of her success to prioritize her mental well-being, followed by a triumphant return to the Paris 2024 Olympics and unprecedented success, is inspiring many. After 2020, Biles took on the role of Chief Impact Officer at Cerebral, an online mental health service that promotes a collaborative approach between clinicians and patients. Her mission is clear: she wants to be a “barrier breaker for the voiceless.” By walking the talk—talking and taking action—on mental health, Biles inspires inclusive leaders to follow her lead. Experts say mental health advocacy can impact laws, increase support, and more in the workplace.
Additionally, the World Health Organization reports that one in eight people suffer from mental health disorders, which undoubtedly manifest themselves in the workplace. Inclusive leaders keep this in mind while expanding the scope and pushing for greater inclusion in the workplace. For more information on this area, check out the Center for Disease Control.
A meditative practice is one example of a strategy that inclusive leaders can leverage to support their teams.
Simone Biles is a leader who leads by example in strategies to alleviate mental health issues
Biles has demonstrated several strategies that support her professional growth and well-being. Her practice of meditative breathing (pursed-lip breathing) and her inspiring self-talk are obvious strategies that were highlighted at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Additionally, Biles is passionate about the effectiveness of using a therapist to manage professional responsibilities. In an interview, she spoke about (“I talked to my therapist right before I went on the balance beam”) using her therapist as part of her regular mental regimen. In doing so, she normalizes the effectiveness of using resources to succeed. The applause comes because Biles can produce resounding results. As inclusive leaders, we can highlight Biles’ lessons. For example, vulnerability can arise when we talk about the additional support we, as leaders, need to succeed, even if it’s a mental health resource like an employee assistance program.
Another example is creating a supportive space and training our team members to educate themselves about mental health resources. Small steps can be a quick win. Consider incorporating a meditation practice into a team meeting.
