MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING
Resetting expectations Academic leaders need to reset expectations with their PhD community. This includes having regular meetings to discuss the right balance of face‑to‑face and virtual contact, plus taking part in open conversations on what kind of support is needed, as well as how and where students are able to seek help. Staying connected As humans, our natural genetic make-up favours face-to-face connection. Where possible, aim to get supervisors, supervisees and the wider PhD community together. At the same time, it’s important not to lose the progress made via virtual connectivity. Recent research at Hult showed that individuals are keen to develop new skills in how to maintain connection when they are working hybrid or virtually. This need will be present within the PhD community too. Showing empathy & concern The late actor Robin Williams said in one of his films: “I used to think that the worst thing in life is to be alone. But actually, the worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.” Academic leaders at all levels can benefit from reflecting on whether they are unintentionally making people feel alone: are they open to understanding the feelings and emotions of others, or too busy with their own agenda? The loneliness epidemic is having a real impact on young academics today, meaning that there is an imperative for both supervisors and students to act. Turning a blind eye can have significant implications not just for study outcomes, but also morale, wellbeing and satisfaction.
“It is important to invest in a climate of psychological safety where people can express painful emotions around loneliness”
doesn’t necessarily equip them to provide support in this area – their focus (and comfort zone) is often on the task, rather than engaging with students on an emotional level. So, how can leaders of young academics help their students lessen feelings of loneliness and encourage connectivity? Increasing psychological safety Suffering from loneliness carries stigma and shame. It is important to invest in a climate of psychological safety where people can express painful emotions around loneliness without fear of being ridiculed.
Guy Lubitsh is professor of leadership and psychology at Hult International Business School. He is a chartered organisational psychologist with a sizeable track record of working in the areas of organisational change, management and leadership development. Fostering human connection is a theme that runs throughout his work and research
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Business Impact • ISSUE 1 • 2025
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