Broadstaff CEO concentrates on wellness in the workplace

A Tampa CEO is working to change how businesses approach wellness in the workplace. As CEO of Broadstaff Carrie Charles runs her company by concentrating on the whole person.

“People need to be able to bring their whole selves to work and really feel that the work is a place that they can feel empowered,” said Charles.

Charles says she helps empower her employees by supporting the whole person and creating a culture of caring. Charles hopes to set a good example of total wellness.  

“I think what we need to do as leaders is we need (to) become more active and be hands-on,” said Charles.

The accomplished business leader encourages healthy eating habits and working out, she even hits the gym with employees.

“I’m modeling healthy behavior for them,” Charles said while working out with Marketing Manager Natalie Davis.

“It’s very unique to have a boss that cares about me and my life and not just what I do in the eight hours that I’m at the office,” said Davis.

Fitness is an important part of life Charles shares with her team. She says exercise has helped her through some tough times.

“I have mental health challenges in my family,” said Charles. “Actually, four of my family members committed suicide so when I was younger, I was diagnosed with depression.”

Charles found comfort in focusing on total wellness as a way of life.

For the busy businesswoman, it all starts first thing in the morning, well before stepping foot in the office.

“I start with prayer first thing and then I immediately mediate,” said Charles.

It’s part of concentrating on the whole person, whether it’s herself or her employees. The certified life coach leads regular group and one-on-one life coaching sessions at work.

“We talk about topics that are relevant to their life, not just relevant to their work,” said Charles.

Charles says her employees are responding, and sharing recent feedback from a team member.

“She said, something that you said a few weeks ago changed my life,” said Charles. “And there’s just nothing like that, it feels amazing.”

Charles says the goal at Broadstaff, a specialized staffing and recruiting firm, is to change lives. She became CEO in 2018 and she hopes she’s doing that by prioritizing people.

“Before having that life coaching element at this job, I felt life was kind of just what happened to me, around me,” said Davis. “Now, I feel like I have more of a say and I feel I can set myself up for success.”

That success, Charles says, can be achieved by prioritizing mental health and wellness in the workplace.

 “The workforce is different today, there’s more stress, there’s more burnout and we just have to take care of people differently in the workplace,” said Charles. “Take that extra moment to say I care about you and say I care about your future and your health.”

Charles was recently honored at the Tampa Bay Business Women Awards.