{"id":23684,"date":"2024-02-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-25T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/?post_type=article&p=23684"},"modified":"2026-06-05T11:10:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:10:22","slug":"how-to-better-manage-the-paradox-of-winning-and-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/how-to-better-manage-the-paradox-of-winning-and-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Ways to Better Balance Winning and Wellbeing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\n 25 Feb 2024 <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>Articles<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Four Ways to Better Balance Winning and Wellbeing<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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https:\/\/leadersinsport.com\/performance-institute\/articles\/how-to-better-manage-the-paradox-of-winning-and-wellbeing\/<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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In the first session of her new three-part Performance Support Series, Dr Meg Popovic guided Leaders Performance Institute members in a discussion of the wellbeing initiatives that are having the most impact at their teams.<\/p>\n \n \n \n

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By John Portch<\/h6>\n
\u201cWhat is \u2018wellbeing\u2019?\u201d asked Dr Meg Popovic.<\/h6>\n

She knows the answer often depends on to whom you are speaking. \u201cIt\u2019s been a topic, a word, a phrase that has been used for over half a decade now in high performance sports and in Leaders circles,\u201d she added before building on the idea of \u2018wellbeing\u2019 as rooted in the notion of human flourishing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWellbeing is an outcome. It\u2019s a feeling; a knowing in the space between all tasks and responsibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Popovic is the Senior Professional Sports Manager for North America at EPIC Global Solutions, the world\u2019s leading independent gambling harm minimisation consultancy and a valued Partner of the Leaders Performance Institute.<\/p>\n

She was speaking as host of the first session in a three-part online Performance Support Series for Leaders Performance Institute members entitled \u2018Wellbeing \u2013 What\u2019s Having the Most Impact?\u2019<\/p>\n

Wellbeing and performance are too often perceived as contradictory. It need not be that way and here are four things lifted from the discussion to consider when trying to balance your wellbeing and performance goals.<\/p>\n

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  1. Remember: the wisdom is already \u2018in the room\u2019<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It is important to talk to your peers whether they be in your team or at other organisations. Ask what they are doing to cultivate psychologically safe environments that foster creativity, team and self-development. It is often easier said than done and so, as Popovic\u00a0said: \u201cWhy don\u2019t we utilise the wisdom in the room and really begin, as a connected group, to talk about what’s having the most impact? We\u2019re going to \u2018reflect more together\u2019 to become increasingly comfortable working with one another, because to access the wisdom in this room, I believe, is far superior \u2013 exponentially superior \u2013 to what I have alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    1. Seek out each others\u2019 stories<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      There is value in sharing lived experiences of triumph and adversity when discussing wellbeing \u201cnot to understand each person\u2019s lived experience as fact, but to try to determine what\u2019s understandable from each experience,\u201d as Popovic said. There is also value in sharing stories. In illustrating her rationale, Popovic cited renowned author Bren\u00e9 Brown and her 2015 book Rising Strong: the Reckoning, the Rumble, the Revolution<\/em>, in which Brown wrote:<\/p>\n

      \u2018We\u2019re wired for story. In a culture of scarcity and perfectionism, there\u2019s a surprisingly simple reason we want to own, integrate, and share our stories of struggle. We do this because we feel the most alive when we\u2019re connecting with others and being brave with our stories \u2013 it\u2019s in our biology.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

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      1. Be ready to tell your own stories<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Popovic asked members on the call to join breakout groups to reflect on an experience that shifted the energy of their team in a positive way. Try answering these questions when telling your story and shaping your programmes around wellbeing:<\/p>\n

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        1. Problem<\/strong> \u2013 what was the problem you foresaw?<\/li>\n
        2. Pain points \/ wellbeing energy loss<\/strong> \u2013 what was the pain or stress? e.g., emotional, physical, financial.<\/li>\n
        3. Role<\/strong> \u2013 what was your role? Where did you fit in the organisational mix? Why did you care about this problem?<\/li>\n
        4. The unlock<\/strong> \u2013 what did you create to help solve this problem?<\/li>\n
        5. The timing<\/strong> \u2013 was it in-season or off-season, one time or long-term?<\/li>\n
        6. The aftermath<\/strong> \u2013 how did it go and what happened next?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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          1. Decide: what are your next steps?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            To wrap up the session, Popovic invited the group to posit ideas for what it takes to deliver wellbeing on a personal, interpersonal and organisational level. These were some of the group\u2019s reflections:<\/p>\n