In this thought-provoking episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, titled "Valuing Your Health in Business", host Joanne Lockwood welcomes Heather McLellan to discuss the often-neglected aspect of health in the world of entrepreneurship. Heather highlights the crucial nature of contingency planning and delegating, reflecting on her personal journey through a rare stroke and blood cancer diagnosis. Together, they explore the need for a power of attorney and the complexities faced by couples in business when health emergencies strike. They also broach the uncomfortable, yet essential conversations about business ownership and the impact of health issues on one's capacity to work, advocating for preventative discussions over reactive crisis management.

Heather comes with an extensive background in occupational health, built over three decades of supporting employees to manage work after injury. Her personal encounters with health challenges have compelled her to apply her professional insights to her business strategy, navigating her way through recovery and business management. With Joanne also sharing her experiences as part of the 'Sandwich Generation', the dialogue extends towards the need for small business owners to factor in personal health and care dependencies into their continuity planning—a stark deviation from traditional disaster recovery protocol.

The conversation moves through poignant stories and statistical evidence that underscore the reality of long-term health conditions affecting the workforce and the business landscape. Heather and Joanne also highlight the importance of a phased return to work, financial readiness for health-related business interruptions, and self-care practices. They drive home the message that personal well-being and business sustainability are deeply interconnected and call for serious attention from entrepreneurs.

This episode is a deep dive into the intersection of professional success and personal health, stirring listeners to reconsider their approach to managing their business and health side by side. Joanne Lockwood champions the notion that taking the time to safeguard the future through planning and open dialogue is more than a business strategy—it's an act of self-preservation and empowerment.

The key takeaway is that health can often be unpredictable, but the impact on business doesn't have to be. By embracing foresight, thoughtful planning, and open conversations about health in the business setting, entrepreneurs can turn vulnerability into strength. Listeners are left with the understanding that valuing health is not just essential for personal wellness, but also a strategic business move.