YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PROFIT
Dan Simons' TEDx Talk at TEDxFoggyBottom
Why Mental Health at Work is Your Greatest Business Advantage
Watch Dan Simons' TEDx Talk
What is this talk about?
In my TEDx talk on mental health and leadership, I flip the script on how we view mental health at work. It’s not just a soft skill — it’s a critical business strategy.
If you want a truly high-performing company, you can’t ignore mental health, or what I call "the human operating system." This talk is for business leaders ready to challenge outdated norms and build organizations where mental health, performance, and culture thrive together.
In this practical and personal and practical TEDx talk, I share:
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How I helped build a $100M restaurant company — by prioritizing people.
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A proven playbook for creating mentally healthy, high-performing workplaces.
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My own mental health journey as a leader.
Forward-thinking companies treat mental health like food safety, cost control, or any other operational priority — because that’s what it is.
Why this TEDx talk matters for your business
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Mental health is brain health. It directly impacts decision-making, performance, and team dynamics.
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Ignoring workplace mental health drains productivity, fuels burnout, and drives turnover.
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Companies that invest in a mentally healthy workplace culture see measurable ROI:
✔ Higher retention rates
✔ Fewer sick days and call-outs
✔ Stronger employee engagement
✔ Increased productivity and profitability
According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety cost the global economy over $1 trillion each year. Don’t let your organization contribute to that loss.
What You'll Learn
✔ Why HR can’t carry the burden alone — and what mental health looks like as an operations topic.
✔ How to integrate mental health tools into everyday operations in your workplace.
✔ How to outperform your competitors by building a high-performance workforce that encourages people to bring their whole selves to work.
ABOUT DAN
Mental health IS a workplace topic, and as leaders, we have work to do.
From battling a concussion and persistent negative self-talk to understanding his own triggers at work, Dan shares his unfiltered experience as both a leader and a human. His story isn't unique — it's a reminder that every workplace is filled with individuals carrying their own invisible battles.
