Tickets are on sale now for Karryon’s first in our Open Mindset series. We caught up with G Adventures, Gold Sponsor of the event, to find out why Open Mindset matters.
Amidst widespread overwork and the rise of hybrid work models, travel companies are reshaping strategies to prioritise employee mental wellbeing. In an exclusive interview with G Adventures Managing Director Sean Martin, we delve into the innovative approaches G Adventures has embraced to provide support to its G Community, all while championing the principles of the Open Mindset initiative.
Why do you feel an event like Open Mindset is needed?
Our industry is in a unique time. We are busier than we have ever been. We are under-resourced. And our customers are expecting more than they ever have. That’s a lot for us all to handle and we need to be talking about it more.
Whilst mental health issues are something that many people are aware of, they are not necessarily equipped or confident enough to deal with them. Either for themselves or for others. So the industry needs events like Open Mindset that talk specifically to the mental wellbeing of travel industry professionals and provide us with the tools and know-how to drive conversations and actions that support our own health as well as that of those around us.
G Adventures is absolutely committed to showing our support for this inaugural event as well as for the positive mental wellbeing of our industry and colleagues.
Open Mindset strongly aligns with G Adventures’ culture and core values. We live to change people’s lives (for the better), we’re driven to create happiness and community every single day and we always strive to do the right thing. We’re as much about supporting the health and wellbeing of the industry and our employees as we are for our travellers, customers and the communities we visit.
Remote and hybrid work models have become increasingly prevalent. What strategies is G Adventures implementing to provide support to your employees operating within these models?
For us the single most important thing is creating and providing a community where people feel comfortable and supported. Our workforce is primarily remote. So our team has to ensure everyone stays connected and feels 100% a part of the G community.
Embracing technology has had a huge role to play here primarily through Slack and Zoom. Yes, it is different from interactions and the relationships you develop from face to face. However, I think the companies that are doing this well can end up having much better cultures than most others out there.
Leadership’s role and getting the culture of a company right is much more important than whether you are remote, hybrid or in an office. All that G Adventures has achieved in the past couple of years is the proof in the pudding of this. This comes down to embedding values within a community and driving purpose for each employee and how this connects to the purpose of others around them.
What are some of the initiatives that G Adventures has developed to support the wellbeing of its employees?
At G Adventures we have a ‘My Wellbeing’ portal in the G Adventures Employee Backpack. This includes a five day course designed to help employees support their own mental health and wellbeing. The course provides practical advice on how to get grounded in the present, reframe negative thoughts, foster positive emotions and create balance.
Another initiative we are proud of is our ‘Belonging at G’ framework. This works to ensure that everyone feels they can show up as themselves at G Adventures without sacrificing anything. Including their wellbeing.
It’s why we put so much emphasis on Psychological Safety and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These things lead to a sense of belonging. It’s our aim to ensure that everyone across G Nation (our community) feels that they can change people’s lives each day by showing up authentically and bringing their whole selves to work.
We also have a Wellbeing Slack Channel. This is designed for our team to easily access mental health tips and resources as they need them. Team members can also connect here if they wish to share their wellbeing journey with others. Or they can access it without others knowing. It’s a flexible and always-on tool that many of our team utilise.
On top of that, we are also launching Employee Resource Groups at G. We are in the planning phase right now but one of them will be a Mental Health group.
What wellness-oriented initiatives or offerings has G Adventures added to enhance their travel experiences?
G Adventures has long been committed to the wellbeing of its travellers, as well as that of the communities we encounter.
We believe that travel itself is a form of wellness. It’s a break from the everyday and a chance to experience something new. But we also have a specific Wellness Travel & Tours style. Here, we help our travellers to slow down, eat well and incorporate yoga and meditation into their daily activities.
What company do you believe excels in promoting wellness and mental wellbeing?
I love the purpose and impact of RUOK? Day. This is such a simple yet important, engaging and emotive message that everyone can identify with. And it gives us all an equally simple call to action. Asking someone if they’re ok. It’s something we can ask every day. It also encourages us to look out for those around us and to normalise mental health conversations.
What are you personally looking forward to at Open Mindset?
I’m looking forward to coming together for such an important cause and to hearing from experts on simple and easily actionable things that we can all do to better educate ourselves (and others) on how to identify and support those struggling with mental health.
Tickets to Open Mindset are on sale now. $10 from each ticket sold will be donated to our foundation partner for the event, Beyond Blue.
Each ticket includes a delicious two-course lunch plus beverages, networking that promises more than just a business card exchange, and a chance to take home a prize.
All you need to bring to the event is an Open Mindset.
For more information, please email Karryon’s Events Manager, Simran Mediratta, at simran@karryon.com.au.
