Mental Health and Modern Leadership: A New Playbook for All

Last week, we had the privilege of kicking off Cannes with a raw, open dialogue around a shared belief: that mental health deserves a permanent seat at the leadership table. The “Breakfast with Friends” (which looked a lot like a “Breakfast of Champions”) co-hosted with our partners at the Ad Council, Stagwell, and 72andSunny, brought together athletes, marketers, and change agents as part of the Love, Your Mind campaign, which is using the influence of sports to help change the way we talk about emotional wellbeing.

Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, American Ninja Warrior host Akbar Gbajabiamila, and JPMorganChase CMO Carla Hassan shared the stage, with the conversation moderated by Ad Council President & CEO Lisa Sherman.

What surfaced was powerful and deeply human. Jordan and Akbar spoke about the unspoken pressures of performance, the cultural stigma of “toughing it out,” and how seeing other athletes speak openly gave them the courage to do the same. What was once taboo—admitting “I’m not OK”—is now increasingly met with understanding, thanks to the visibility of new role models.

But Carla reminded us that this conversation isn’t just for athletes, it’s for all of us. “If you lead people, you are responsible for creating a safe environment,” she said. And she’s right. The same dynamics that exist in sports—pressure, performance, silence—are playing out in offices and on Zoom calls every day. The stakes may be different, but the impact is just as real.

In fact, the data is staggering. 

• According to Ad Council research, more than half of adults (61%) report having a mental health condition – either professionally or self-diagnosed – but among them, less than half (48%) are getting help or treatment.
• One in four people suffer from a serious mental health disorder that isn’t visible¹.
• Disengaged managers alone cost the global economy more than $400 billion each year in lost productivity².
  

In many cases, people aren’t just struggling—they’re checking out entirely. This isn’t just a wellbeing issue. It’s a business issue. It's a leadership issue.

This is why leadership development for the current age is so vital. Mental health struggles are being amplified by the relentless pace of change, economic pressure, and rising uncertainty—conditions that are impacting morale across organizations. As businesses face layoffs, tighter budgets, and the constant demand to do more with less, employees are left feeling anxious, unsupported, and stretched thin. In this climate, it is imperative to master human-centric leadership that brings clarity amid chaos, hope amid fear, and connection amid fragmentation. A leadership that puts people first by focusing on what truly matters: their motivations, incentives with purpose, and investment in their growth to reinforce they matter and equip them for the future. When we lead with empathy and structure, we don’t just improve performance—we create the conditions where people can thrive.

So where do we go from here?

1. We start by investing in our leaders—not just with frameworks and goals, but with the tools and mindsets to support the full spectrum of what it means to be a human-centric leader.
2. Normalize the conversation. Encourage managers to ask “How are you, really?” and to share their own stories. Make space to regularly check-in with your teams on the struggles they may be facing in or out of the workplace and actively listen, especially for what isn't being said.
3. Use proven resources. The Ad Council’s free Workplace Mental Health Playbook 2.0 and the new Love, Your Mind Employer Guide give step-by-step actions—from engaging senior leaders to spotting early warning signs—that any company can adopt today.
4. Model resilience and empathy. Leaders who talk openly about therapy, coaching, or time off set the permission structure for everyone else.

What we heard this morning from Jordan, Akbar, and Carla is a reminder that vulnerability is not a weakness. It’s a starting point for real connection—and real leadership. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for the conversation, and we hope this moment helps spark more openness, more dialogue, and more investment in people.

For those looking to support their leaders in meaningful ways and help them build these capabilities, check out our upcoming programs including the six-week leadership accelerator LEAP Essentials and our transformative, flagship LEAP program with the Aspen Institute. 

View the full event gallery here.

1 - World Health Organization, 2025
2 - Gallup State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report