Search the world of business far and wide and you’ll find that every thriving company has one thing in common: each is led by an extraordinary Chief Executive Officer who drives the company towards success, every single day.

The role of CEO is extremely vital to the health of the business. With the wrong person at the helm, any business is destined to go off course. Put the right person in the role of captain and they’ll carry the team to victory. CEOs hold years of experience and have built the skills necessary to lead themselves, their people, and their businesses.

Worksite wellness isn’t only a job cut out for Wellness Directors and Human Resources teams. Its success within an organization boils down to the involvement of the entire company, and, as leader of the pack, CEOs set the course for how impactful their wellness programs will be.

Here’s what we’ve learned about the Chief Executive Officer and how he or she impacts worksite wellness.

NUMBER ONE: CEOS ATTRACT FOLLOWERS.

First and foremost, participation starts from the top. When a company’s leaders are religious about using the company programs, the employees show higher participation rates. If your wellness programs are cool enough for the CEO, they’ll be cool enough for your people. Flexible fitness options like Peerfit allow employees to take boutique fitness classes with their coworkers. CrossFit with the CEO, anyone

NUMBER TWO: CEOS ARE GOAL-DIGGERS.

As with any program, goals should drive your worksite wellness programs. CEOs help their teams set realistic goals and hold them accountable for achieving those goals. The CEO should regularly evaluate their company’s worksite wellness programs, which will in turn help drive the program to success and further encourage his or her involvement. And, if you need a refresher on why it’s important for CEOs to be involved, re-visit point number one above.

NUMBER THREE: CEOS GIVE GREAT STRATEGIC ADVICE.

Once the CEO becomes invested in the program’s success, they can offer sound advice and strategies that will make the program even more successful. Of course, the wellness director is still expected to manage and implement the program, but the CEO might be able to offer them an insight they didn’t have before.

NUMBER FOUR: CEOS LEAD THE OTHER LEADERS.

This one’s simple. The CEO’s involvement in your worksite wellness programs leads the rest of the leadership team to be just as involved. If the head honcho plays a role (no matter how small) in implementing the company’s wellness programs, the rest of the C-Suite will follow suit. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: participation starts at the top and trickles down. Get the CEO on board. Get the rest of the leadership team on board. Get the employees on board.

NUMBER FIVE: CEOS SET THE TONE FOR THE COMPANY CULTURE.

The CEO helps shape and define company culture, and, successful worksite wellness programs happen when wellness becomes an integral part of the company culture. CEOs who truly value health and wellbeing make it a fundamental culture piece. This culture shift won’t happen overnight, but, with the CEO invested in making it a reality, the process will be much quicker.

CEO's, listen up. If you want your worksite wellness programs to produce the same old lackluster results, keep your head down and, please, stay out of them.

If you want to create a healthy, thriving culture of wellbeing, get involved with your wellness programs. Ask questions about their successes, offer advice and guidance for implementing them, and, most importantly, use them yourself. You know that old saying “talk the talk and walk the walk”? Time to start living it.