CEOs not just showing off performance in the board room - Business First of Columbus:

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She should know. She’s not only a company chief, but she recruits CEOs as part of servicea offeredby Columbus-based , an executive searc firm. Recruiting on the basis of one’e physical health or appearance is discriminatoryand illegal, she But, there is an expectation that today’s CEOs are physicallt fit and represent the self-discipline neederd to be an effective “Making those kinds of decisions, you have to be very McIntyre said. There’s no arguing companies generally prefere physicallyfit employees, although fitness never is documented in a job she said.
Generally speaking, physically fit employees are more better focused, have fewedr absences and, very importantly, cost less to “It follows the dollars there,” she said. Assuming a company’x culture embraces health and fitness, the company CEO must represent that said McIntyre. There’s also a matter of CEO is a difficult position requiringt a lot of energy and focus gained fromphysical fitness, she As a CEO – the McIntyre Co. has six employeews and is a partner with Penrhyn Internationalk comprising 21 partnerfirms – McIntyre is committexd to her own fitness program, which focuses on a regulard regimen of cardiovascular exercise.
She built her company with health in mind and provideds her employees with access to gym facilities and James Hagedorn, chairman and CEO of the Marysville-basedr , agrees. “It’s abouty doing the right thing foryour employees,” he said. “CEO s are in the best position to demonstrate how wellness is and can be a part ofthei organization’s culture.” Hagedorn said companies need to invest in and implement a culturr of wellness in their companies and removd barriers for employees who may not otherwiss adopt a healthy lifestyle. It’s not just abouft money, he said, but Scotts’ healty care costs do trend belownational averages.
The company has drawnh national attention forits anti-smoking which bans workers from not only on company but anywhere, even at home. It also has invested millions inwellnesd initiatives, including a medical and fitness center across from its headquarters. Hagedorn, whos company has 6,000 employees globally and approximately 1,100 in Central Ohio with $2.9 billioh in 2008 revenue, believes in leading by Physical fitness is a regular part of his He said he uses a Stai Master each morning and trains with weightse every other evening based on a progra histrainer created. “ can’t ask our associates to take wellness seriouslt and exercise regularly ifI don’t said Hagedorn.
“A focus on overall wellness sharpens my He can’t speak for all CEOs and theirt wellness programs, but Hagedorn knowzs that CEOs are in the best position to change the wellnesa of their organizations, beginning with themselves. he said, can provide information and guidance to theirr organizations on how best to use benefit plans and how to incorporate more healthy lifestyles into their workplac eand lives. “And, executives can set the said Hagedorn.
Many companies hire CEOs specificallyt to create a cultureof wellness, said Dave president of the Cleveland-based Advantegrity LLC, a retained executives search recruiter with more than 20 “The board will find someonw who represents the desired culture,” he said.