How small changes can lead to sustained performance

The foundation of resilience: Understanding yourself

If you’ve ever wondered why some people seem to handle pressure with calm confidence while others feel quickly overwhelmed, you’re not alone. In today’s fast-moving, interconnected world of work, resilience isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ personal quality. It’s a cornerstone of sustained performance, wellbeing and career longevity.

Resilience begins with self-awareness. For many participants, the OwnLife programme provided a unique opportunity to pause, reflect and gain deeper insights into their habits and behaviours.

Mindy Lee, Chief of Staff for APAC Health in STM, shared how the programme helped her understand the critical role of sleep in cognitive performance. “I learned that lack of sleep has a serious impact on my cognitive function,” she explained. By setting boundaries around late-night meetings, Mindy improved her average sleep from 3-4 hours per night to 6-7 hours, which in turn enhanced her focus and engagement. “Several colleagues have noticed that I don’t look as tired as before. I’m far more responsive and engaged.”

For Dean Curtis, CEO of Data Services in Risk, he was reminded of the importance of diet, diaries and movement. “I have made many changes about the times that I eat and what I eat. I have also scheduled more gaps in a very packed calendar. Finally, a good walk in nature and a session in the gym is something I really need," he shared. RELX is an information and analytics company and Dean believes using information and analytics through the OwnLife programme to help support our wellbeing makes perfect sense.

For Greg Dickason, CTO in Legal, the programme reinforced the value of regular exercise and its impact on sleep and focus. “Although I seldom drink, even one glass of wine impacts my sleep and hence my performance the next day,” he shared. By maintaining a consistent exercise routine, Greg improved his ability to focus both at work and at home.

The ripple effect: Inspiring teams and colleagues

The benefits of the OwnLife programmes extend beyond individual participants, creating a ripple effect that positively impacts teams and organisations.

Mindy’s decision to share her experience with her team led to a cultural shift. “My peers and team members have started to monitor how their sleep and food intake impact their cognitive function and have also begun setting boundaries for late-night calls,” she said.

Dean fostered a sense of accountability within his team by creating a community forum where colleagues track their progress using wearable fitness trackers. “Many of my team have looked at this, and it’s been great to see the changes they’ve made,” he noted.

For Noelle, open conversations with her manager strengthened their relationship and sparked meaningful discussions about balance and workload. “Sharing openly allowed us to better understand each other,” she said. Her team also reported improved collaboration and personal growth as a result of the programme.

Michael took a proactive approach by encouraging his senior leadership team in China to participate in OwnLife ahead of its wider rollout. “The feedback from teams has been very positive,” he shared. By delegating earlier and focusing on priorities, Michael has modelled a more deliberate and effective leadership style.

A call to action: Embrace resilience to drive productivity

The stories of these six colleagues highlight the transformative power of resilience in driving sustained performance. Whether it’s setting boundaries, improving sleep or encouraging open conversations, the lessons learned through the OwnLife programmes are both practical and profound.

As Mindy put it, “I would encourage my colleagues to participate in OwnLife. You’ll learn more about yourself and how to optimise your performance with the right habits.”

For those who have yet to embark on this journey, Greg Dickason offers a compelling reason to start: “It gives you a good insight into how to manage your performance - both professionally and personally. Some things you already know, but there’s something powerful about seeing the actual numbers and the resulting impact.”

At RELX, we believe that resilience is the key to thriving in the modern world of work. By investing in our people and fostering a culture of wellbeing we are building a stronger, more productive and more sustainable future - together.