Leading for Wellness with Katina Sawyer and Patricia Grabarek

What if everything you believe about workplace wellness is only part of the story? In this episode, Kevin welcomes Dr. Katina Sawyer and Dr. Patricia Grabarek to discuss the real drivers of well-being at work and the critical role leaders play in shaping thriving environments. Drawing on their research, Katina and Patricia challenge the overreliance on surface-level wellness programs and demonstrate how authentic leadership, trust, and team connection have far greater impact. They introduce the concept of "generators", leaders who energize and empower their teams and contrast them with "extinguishers," who unintentionally drain motivation and wellness. Patricia and Katina also explore ideas like authenticity within professional boundaries, person-centered leadership, and the practical importance of being a "boundary bouncer."

Listen For

0:00 The importance of wellness at work
0:33 Welcome and introduction by Kevin Eikenberry
1:29 About Kevin's book Flexible Leadership
2:18 Introducing guests Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer
4:19 How their friendship led to writing Leading for Wellness
6:01 The research behind workplace wellness
7:05 The big idea Why leaders drive wellness
8:10 Defining workplace wellness
9:26 Work life balance myths and realities
10:18 Common misconceptions about wellness at work
11:37 Why wellness and productivity go hand in hand
13:30 The bolt on problem with wellness programs
14:01 What is a Generator leader
15:19 Authenticity and trust in leadership
17:14 What authenticity really means at work
18:40 Avoiding the stoic leader trap
20:26 Sharing your human side builds trust
21:01 Leaders as Boundary Bouncers
22:26 Protecting boundaries and modeling balance
24:15 Real life examples of healthy boundaries
25:01 Person centered leadership and Carl Rogers' influence
26:36 Knowing your people as individuals
28:17 Why understanding your team makes leadership easier
29:28 Building team culture where everyone thrives
30:23 What Katina and Patricia do for fun
32:37 What they're reading
34:04 Learn more about Worker Being and Leading for Wellness
35:19 Kevin's closing challenge Now what
35:54 Farewell and next episode reminder

Their Story: Dr. Patricia Grabarek, PhD and Dr.Katina Sawyer, PhD, are the authors of Leading for Wellness: How to Create a Team Culture Where Everyone Thrives. They are the co-founders of Workr Beeing.

Patricia is a seasoned Industrial/Organizational Psychologist specializing in workplace wellness, organizational culture, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development. With a background in both consulting and internal roles, Dr. Grabarek has led people analytics and talent management initiatives for more than 60 organizations across various industries. Her work focuses on research-based strategies to improve well-being, retention, performance, and diversity efforts. Named one of Culture Amp's Top 25 Emerging Culture Creators for 2024, Dr. Grabarek's insights have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and CBC Radio. She holds a PhD and MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Penn State and a BA in Psychology from UCLA.

Katina is an Industrial/Organizational psychologist and an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. A leading expert in work-life balance, leadership, positive workplace behaviors, and diversity, she has published more than 50 peer-reviewed studies, book chapters, and articles in outlets like Harvard Business Review. Dr. Sawyer's work has been featured in major media such as The Washington Post, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic, and Forbes. Receiving grants from the National Science Foundation and the Society for Human Resource Management, her groundbreaking research has established her as a thought leader in positive workplace behaviors. Among Philadelphia Business Journal's "Top 40 Under 40" in 2017, Dr. Sawyer also consults with organizations, offering data-driven solutions to create healthier, more productive workplaces. She holds a BA in Psychology from Villanova University and a dual PhD and MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Women's Studies from Penn State.

https://workrbeeing.com/