The Rosebank Business Association recently rolled out a heartwarming initiative called Ssshhh… Can You Keep a Secret?, a campaign designed to remind us that even our bosses need care, attention, and wellbeing support. Employees were invited to secretly nominate their managers by answering: “Do you have a boss who’s been under pressure, but still shows up with kindness? Someone who listens, supports, and leads with care?”
The response was overwhelming. Many nominations poured in, reflecting the gratitude employees felt toward their leaders. From these submissions, 15 bosses were selected to receive an Imago Wellness bundle, a package of six online coaching sessions that offered practical, individualised strategies to boost health and resilience.
Each bundle provided six 20-minute sessions with a qualified expert coach. Leaders could choose from four themes: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Think Well, and Move Well. These bundles offered convenient, value-packed support in the form of customised advice, answers to health questions, education, and bite-sized tips designed to help people improve just 1% at a time. When the RBA team delivered the bundles, the reactions were priceless – leaders were shocked and touched, while employees beamed with pride as they showed appreciation for the care their bosses give daily.
The initiative highlighted an often overlooked truth: leaders need looking after, too.
Why bosses need support
Business owners and managers carry heavy responsibility – balancing finances, teams, customers, and constant decisions, often while serving as mentors and motivators. But this weight can strain wellbeing if overlooked. Too often, leaders neglect self-care, believing they must always project strength and control. The result is stress, fatigue, and potential burnout, which doesn’t stay at the top; it filters down, affecting morale, productivity, and workplace culture. An overwhelmed manager may struggle to listen, encourage, or connect with their team.
Wellbeing as a leadership strength
Wellbeing isn’t just self-care – it’s essential to effective leadership. Leaders who prioritise their health build resilience, focus, and energy, enabling better decisions and steadier management. When employees see their boss value balance and wellness, they’re more likely to follow suit.
Leaders who consistently show up with patience and empathy are invaluable – but sustaining this requires intentional effort. Initiatives like the RBA’s Ssshhh… Can You Keep a Secret? remind us that bosses also benefit from encouragement, tools, and structured support.
The ripple effect in the workplace
When leaders feel supported, the impact spreads. A healthier, more energised boss creates a more positive workplace for everyone. Teams feel valued, secure, and motivated. Productivity rises – not through pressure or longer hours, but through trust, balance, and a culture of care.
The employees who nominated their managers understood this. Their secret submissions weren’t just about winning a prize – they were about recognising the importance of looking after the people who look after us.
The priceless gift of care
The RBA’s initiative was more than a giveaway; it was a reminder of the human side of business. Watching bosses’ surprise and pride, paired with employees’ joy, revealed the true value of the initiative. It wasn’t only about the 15 wellness bundles, but about the message: leaders deserve wellbeing, too.
In business, success is often measured in profits or growth, but sometimes, the greatest return comes from kindness, gratitude, and care. Supporting our bosses isn’t just good for them – it strengthens the entire workplace.