Leading with CARE: Why R U OK Day? matters more than ever.
R U OK? Day arrives each September with a simple question at its heart. Yet in a world shaped by constant change, economic uncertainty and increasing pressure on both our professional and personal lives, it remains one of the most important questions we can ask.
As leaders, colleagues, friends and family members, we often focus on performance, outcomes and achievements. What can be overlooked is the human experience behind them. Every person we work with, lead or care about is carrying something. Sometimes it is visible. Often it is not. Everyone matters. Everyone has a story to tell.
Throughout my life, I have been influenced by a value deeply embedded in Greek culture: philotimo. While difficult to translate directly, it speaks to a sense of honour, compassion, responsibility and service to others. At its core is the belief that we are connected, and that we have an obligation to look out for one another.
In many ways, that is what R U OK? Day is really about. It reminds us to look beyond roles, responsibilities and achievements, and to notice the person behind them.
The most effective leaders understand that people perform at their best when they feel seen, valued and supported. The same principle applies at home. Strong families, strong teams and strong communities are built on care, trust and genuine human connection.
I have also wanted to highlight the motivating purpose behind a Japanese word I love, and that is ikigai. It is often described as a “reason for being”. At its heart is a simple truth: life feels richer when it carries meaning, purpose, a sense of belonging and contribution to the people around us.
Whether at work or at home, people thrive when they know they matter, when they feel they belong and when they can add value in ways that are meaningful. It may be through the work they do, the care they show, the relationships they nurture or the way they support those around them. These are the things that remind us we are needed, connected and part of something larger than ourselves.
Leadership can also be isolating. The responsibility of guiding an organisation, making difficult decisions and carrying the weight of uncertainty often creates an expectation that leaders should have all the answers. They don’t. Leaders need support, perspective and trusted relationships just as much as everyone else.
One of the most valuable aspects of communities such as The CEO Circle is the reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit. It is your very own Circle of Trust. There is strength in trusted peers, honest conversations and the willingness to ask for support when it is needed.
Yet connection can be surprisingly easy to lose.
We are constantly communicating, but not always truly connecting. Our calendars are full, inboxes are relentless and our attention is pulled in many directions. In the busyness, it can be easy to miss the quieter signs that someone may be struggling. A colleague who becomes withdrawn, a team member who seems distracted, a friend who pulls away or a family member who says they are fine while appearing exhausted or overwhelmed.
This is why meaningful conversations matter.
R U OK? Day is not about having all the answers. It is about creating space for a conversation that may not otherwise happen. A genuine “How are you really going?” can open a door.
In the workplace, these conversations help build cultures of trust, psychological safety and belonging. They strengthen teams and create environments where people feel comfortable seeking support before challenges become crises.
At home, they remind those closest to us that they do not have to navigate life’s pressures alone.
The lesson is the same in both settings. People want to know they matter. They want to know someone notices. They want to know someone cares enough to ask.
This September, let R U OK? Day be more than a date on the calendar or a workplace initiative. Let it be a reminder of the kind of communities, organisations and relationships we want to build.
Communities where people feel connected.
Workplaces where people feel supported.
Families where people feel heard.
If someone is on your mind, trust your instinct. Reach out. Ask the question. Listen carefully. Stay connected.
A conversation may not solve everything, but it can make all the difference.
Author: John T Karagounis
For further information: Plan your R U OK?Day activities | R U OK?
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, please seek help from your GP, or from beyondblue by calling 1300 224 636 to speak to a trained mental health professional. For suicide and crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Contact us | Lifeline
