Todd Scott, owner and publisher of the National Business Review (NBR) and a key figure in the New Zealand media landscape, is set to open up about his mental health journey in a special upcoming webinar.
In this rare and candid interview, Scott will confront the intense pressures of C-suite life and the facade of constant competence and control.
Hosted by Revolutionaries of Wellbeing, the webinar aims to challenge stigma and push for more honest conversations about wellbeing among top executives.
“It’s something that you hide, and it’s a very lonely, hidden challenge,” Scott says, highlighting the often-unspoken reality of mental health struggles in high-level business positions.
Yet, Scott says, “You won’t solve any problem unless you’ve solved the problem of the headspace that you’re in.”
The stigma surrounding mental health issues in the corporate world will be a key focus of the interview. Scott recounts his own experiences of concealing struggles from superiors and staff, noting, “The last thing that my boss would have wanted to have known is that I had any mental health issues because I wouldn’t have lasted long.”
By opening up, Scott wants to encourage more open conversations about mental health in the workplace, particularly at senior levels and he wants to see preventive care normalised.
He advocates for “duvet days” – time off specifically for mental health reasons – and urges business leaders to normalise this practice.
“Sometimes you’re better off just taking that time out because you’ll be more authentic when you’re ok,” he says. This practical approach to mental health management could be valuable for many in high-stress positions.
Scott’s openness extends to sharing his coping mechanisms, including how he would engage with clients on difficult days to find mutual support and understanding.
“The more people that you see and spend time with, the more you understand that you’re not the only one feeling the way that you do,” he says.
Scott’s willingness to discuss his experiences with PTSD and other mental health challenges is likely to resonate with fellow business leaders who may be silently grappling with similar issues.
His message is clear: “Mental health is real. You feel the way you do because that’s the way you feel. Nobody ever wakes up in the morning wanting to feel a certain way.”
This webinar presents a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights from a successful business owner’s personal journey with mental health. It aims to inspire more authentic leadership and foster a more supportive business culture around mental wellbeing.
Registration for the free webinar is now open, with high interest expected from CEOs, aspiring leaders, and anyone curious about the intersection of mental health and business success. As conversations around mental health continue to evolve, events like this play a crucial role in shaping a more understanding and supportive business environment.
