Fostering Employees Well-Being Through Leadership: An Empirical Exploration of Styles and Behavioral Competencies

Employee well-being plays a pivotal role in shaping both workplace experience and organizational performance. While previous studies have addressed this topic through diverse theoretical lenses, leadership remains a central factor in cultivating a healthy work environment. This research investigates the specific leadership styles and behaviors that contribute to employee well-being by analyzing data from 33 interviews with entrepreneurs and top-level executives across various organizations. Utilizing the Behavioral Event Interview method, we collected detailed narratives of real-life situations involving well-being initiatives. Findings highlight the use of multiple leadership styles - most notably supportive and inclusive approaches - and identify 13 distinct behavioral categories linked to key leadership competencies. The study underscores the importance of designing targeted training programs that equip leaders with the skills necessary to actively support both the professional development and personal well-being of their teams.