Why coaches and CEOs need counsellors, not just authority
Being a good leader goes beyond understanding the business. It also requires an appreciation of the people behind it, their emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, and the different challenges they carry into the workplace.
Why coaches and CEOs need counsellors, not just authority
There is a notion that CEOs, managing directors and senior managers automatically understand what it takes to be good leaders. After all, they have risen through the ranks, managed businesses, made difficult decisions and dealt with people. Surely, they know what leadership requires?
Being a good leader goes beyond understanding the business. It also requires an appreciation of the people behind it, their emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, and the different challenges they carry into the workplace.
At the AIM Golf National Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Fundraiser at Uganda Golf Club on Saturday, October 11, 2026, State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Hon. Simon Mulongo shared a thought that stayed with me.
Having spent eight years in sports journalism, I see a similar challenge in sport. How often does a player walk up to their coach and say, "Coach, I am struggling mentally. I have family problems, I am stressed, and I am not in the right state of mind to perform"?
It is not a conversation many players find easy to have. They may fear losing their place in the team or being considered weak. The coach, meanwhile, may recognise that something is wrong but lack the expertise to help beyond offering encouragement or adjusting training.
The same applies in corporate Uganda. The 2025 State of Uganda Population Report estimated that 24.2 per cent of adults and 22.9 per cent of children are affected by mental health conditions, while fewer than one in ten people who need care receive appropriate support.
Mulongo also raised concerns about the infrastructure and resources available for mental healthcare compared with physical health. Government, policymakers and corporate organisations have an opportunity to do better, from investing in accessible services to equipping managers with the knowledge to recognise distress and respond appropriately.
AIM Corporate Wellbeing Consults used golf to bring this conversation to a group that matters: executives, business owners and decision-makers who shape workplace culture. It was an opportunity to reach people who may not always have time for daily walks, gym sessions or other wellness activities, while encouraging them to reflect on their own wellbeing and that of those they lead.