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leader

Workplace Stress

In this powerful episode of the mentl space podcast, we sit down with David Stockton, CEO of Dulsco Group and the 2024 the mentl awards “Leader of the Year,” for a raw and deeply human conversation that challenges traditional views on leadership, workplace culture, and mental health.

With responsibility for 23,000 employees, David doesn’t just talk about culture—he lives it. In this candid conversation with mentl founder Scott Armstrong, David shares his personal journey, including a difficult period in 2019 that triggered a deep re-evaluation of his own mental health, leadership style, and the kind of organization he wanted to build.

💬 “If I’ve got my mental health space right, then everything else—personally and professionally—just works.”

Through his lived experience, David has emerged as a champion of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. And the results speak for themselves: a 3.5x growth at Dulsco since COVID, high retention rates, and a workplace culture built not just on performance, but on purpose and care.

🔍 In this episode:

  • How David’s personal mental health struggle shaped a new leadership philosophy
  • The importance of leaders being “umbrellas”—protecting their teams without burning out themselves
  • Why fostering emotional intelligence is now a top skill for modern leaders
  • How to balance empathy and accountability for long-term, sustainable growth
  • The ROI of caring: how prioritizing well-being has driven business success for Dulsco

David’s honesty about his past—working through stress that led to heart issues, shedding the outdated “tough it out” leadership mask, and seeking professional help—offers a powerful roadmap for other leaders feeling the pressure to “have it all together.”

💬 “Nobody wants to die efficiently. You’ve got to be an efficient business, but also invest in your people.”

Whether you’re a CEO, a team leader, or simply someone passionate about building healthier, more human workplaces, this episode is packed with wisdom, reflection, and practical advice.

🎧 Listen now and discover why, as David puts it, “it’s good business to be a good business.”

👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to support more open conversations like this.

📢 Join the conversation: What does mental health mean to you as a leader? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

#TheMentlSpace #DavidStockton #Leadership #MentalHealth #WellbeingAtWork #Dulsco #CultureOfCare #EmpathyInLeadership #SustainableSuccess

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