Prince Harry stated today that anyone who is unable to find joy in their work should stop and put their mental health first.
According to the Duke of Sussex, ‘with self-awareness comes a need for change’. He also stated that many people who quit their jobs during the pandemic were ‘not all bad’.
Harry said that people who put happiness above their jobs were at the “beginning of the mental wellness awakening” and it was something to celebrate.
Interview with Fast Company, an American business magazine about the role of the chief impact officer at BetterUp in California.
Harry’s comment will be understood as an ode to Meghan Markle, his wife and senior royal, who resigned last year in order to move on to North America.
In March, the Duke of Sussex was announced as the chief executive officer of BetterUp. This corporate black-and-white photograph of him was also released.
Just before officially being resigned as senior royals, the Duke and Duchess leave Westminster Abbey’s Commonwealth Service in London.
Asking him about the changes in BetterUp’s strategy to deal with accelerated trends at work such as higher burnout or resignations, he said that it was a good idea.
Fast Company quoted him as saying: “It brings back the thesis of BetterUp and the work Alexi, Eddie, and their team have been doing over the past eight years, plus before my arrival. [and]Also, my belief system and efforts in the area of mental fitness.
“While it may seem like the last few years have brought these problems to the forefront, reality shows that these difficulties and issues were already brewing for a while. This is only the beginning of mental health awakening.
“This work is more significant than ever because people pay attention. Building awareness and pioneering the conversation are key components of our mission.
Harry added: “I have discovered recently, thanks to a chat with [BetterUp science board member]Adam Grant says that not all resignations from jobs are negative.
“In reality, this is an indicator that self-awareness leads to the desire for change. People all over the globe have had to endure miserable jobs and are now putting their happiness and mental well-being first. This should be celebrated.
Harry is paid a salary by BetterUp. However, BetterUp hasn’t disclosed the amount or whether Harry owns stock options or shares.
BetterUp provides companies with coaching programs for employees. Topics covered include parenting, mental health and nutrition. Its app costs around £181 per month for each user.
Google is among the customers, as well as Hilton Hotels and Warner Bros movie studio. Recently, the company announced that it would open a London branch and employ 75 employees.
Harry and Meghan have netted several lucrative deals since their move to California, where they now live in an £11million mansion in Montecito.
Last year, it was announced that they signed a multiyear production agreement with Netflix. This deal covers content such as documentaries and films.
A podcasting agreement was also made with Spotify for the production of content. The contracts could be worth millions.
It comes two months after it emerged that the value of BetterUp has topped £3billion after securing new funding from some of Silicon Valley’s biggest players.
Alexi Robichaux, founder and chief executive of BetterUp. In October, BetterUp raised £220million from investors – valuing the company at around £3.4billion
BetterUp’s headquarters is located at the following offices in San Francisco, California. The value of the start up has topped £3billion after securing new funding from some of Silicon Valley’s biggest players
In October, BetterUp, which took on the Duke as ‘chief impact officer’ in March, raised £220million from investors – valuing the company at around £3.4billion.
Iconiq Capital (a private investment company that has managed billionaires’ money in tech) was one of leaders of this funding round.
Mubadala (a sovereign wealth fund linked to Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed be Zayed) is one of the other backers.
The latest funding round takes the total amount the firm has raised to £441million and follows a similar £92million injection in February.