A conversation with Nova

Most workplace struggles – like stress before deadlines or tough conversations—never hit dashboards. Nova is designed for those moments, giving people real-time space to reflect and get practical support before pressure turns into problems.

In every organization, there are moments that never make it into dashboards or quarterly reports – the quiet stress before a big meeting, the worry that lingers after a tough 1:1, the late-night overthinking, the weight of returning from time away.

These moments matter. They shape performance, culture, and wellbeing long before anyone labels them as “issues.”

Nova was built for these moments.

Designed by Unmind’s psychologists and clinicians, Nova gives employees and managers a safe, accessible way to pause, reflect, and find practical guidance in real time. It doesn’t replace human care – it supports people before they reach that point, catching everyday struggles early.

Across the organizations we partner with, here’s what that support looks like from the outside looking in.

The exchanges below are brief examples – snapshots – of Nova in action. They demonstrate the immediate, in-the-moment support Nova provides. While the full conversation would involve more reflection and guided effort, these moments are crucial for helping people pause, re-center, and begin navigating their challenges with greater self-awareness.

Employees don’t only feel overwhelmed during major cycles. It often shows up on an ordinary morning, buried under emails, deadlines, or expectations.

A team member starts the day with a full schedule and a week of client presentations on the horizon.

Employee: “I’m nervous about a busy week with lots of client presentations. Any suggestions for calming my nerves?”
Nova: “Let’s slow your thoughts down. We’ll take a quick breathing reset, then break the week into manageable parts so nothing feels too heavy.”

Another employee is trying to shift back into work mode after time off.

Employee: “How do I protect my energy while being productive after a week of holiday?”
Nova: “Let’s anchor your day around one high-impact task, one quick win, and one boundary to keep you grounded.”

This immediate support helps employees navigate and manage stress as it arises, allowing them to stay focused on what matters.

Leaders carry responsibility. They don’t always carry confidence.

Manager: “Someone on my team seems off. I’m not sure how to bring it up.”
Nova: “Lead with curiosity. Ask how they’re feeling, not just how work is going.”

Manager (follow-up): “What if they shut down or just say they’re fine?”
Nova: “That’s okay. Leave the door open. Try: ‘No problem – if anything shifts, I’m here.’ Then follow up later in the week. Support isn’t about solving in one moment – it’s about safety and consistency.”

Manager: “A team member has returned from parental leave. What’s the right way to support them?”
Nova: “Start with what they need, not assumptions. Try: ‘What’s been hardest so far?’ or ‘How can I make this easier?’”

Manager (follow-up): “I worry about putting them on the spot – what if they don’t want to open up?”
Nova: “You can give options. For example: ‘We can talk now, or I can check in later once you’ve settled in.’ Let them choose their moment. Autonomy makes support feel safe, not intrusive.”

These small adjustments help  leaders feel more confident and teams feel more understood.

Burnout rarely arrives all at once. It builds slowly, through long evenings, shifting boundaries, and the feeling of being unable to pause.

Employee: “I’ve been working late every night. I think I’m burning out.”
Nova: “It sounds like you’ve been running on empty. Let’s look at what’s driving the pressure and what could shift this week.”

Or through the pressure to keep saying yes:

Employee: “I’ve said yes to too many things. How do I say no without sounding flaky?”
Nova: “Be honest about your capacity and offer an alternative. Clear communication protects your energy and builds trust.”

And even during high-performance periods:

Employee: “I’m heading into a huge deadline and feel burned out, but I can’t slow down yet.”
Nova: “Let’s build micro-recovery into your day – short resets, one task at a time, and a clear stopping point for today.”

These moments – small, often invisible – are where the slow build-up to burnout can be managed and re-routed .

Workplaces are full of people doing their best while carrying things no one else sees.

A parent trying to support a child through a big moment:

Parent: “How can I support my daughter who’s nervous about her audition?”
Nova: “Normalize the nerves and focus on effort. Reassurance goes a long way.”

An expat quietly navigating homesickness:

Employee: “I’m feeling homesick. What will help me feel better?”
Nova: “Let’s look at what you’re missing most and create small rituals to bring comfort into your week.”

Someone replaying a difficult 1:1:

Employee: “My 1:1 with my manager went badly and I can’t stop spiraling.”
Nova: “Let’s separate the facts from the interpretation. Then we’ll help you re-center so you can move forward.”

Stress doesn’t always start at work – but it always affects work.

Employees often turn to Nova ahead of performance or development conversations – not because they’re unprepared, but because they want to feel grounded.

Employee: “I have my PDP meeting this week and I’m anxious. Can you help me plan what to say?”
Nova: “Let’s outline a clear win, a growth area you’ve developed, and one meaningful goal for the year ahead.”

A few minutes of structured reflection can change the way someone shows up.

The emotional load doesn’t always end at 5pm. People bring stress home with them and often feel it most when everything else goes quiet.

Employee: “I can’t fall asleep. Can you guide me through something calming?”
Nova: “Imagine a slow descending staircase, releasing one thought with each step. Let’s take it breath by breath.”

Supporting people in these moments helps make the next day more manageable and more productive.

When employees have somewhere to go in the moment, workplaces look different.
Stress peaks soften. Recovery happens earlier. Managers communicate more thoughtfully.

This is proactive mental health at work – support that fits naturally into everyday life and helps keep problems from escalating.

See Nova in action

If you want to understand how early, real-time support could change the way your people work and feel, we’d be happy to show you.