Mindfulness in Leadership:
Mindfulness is a way of being — paying attention on purpose, with curiosity, and an open mind. It means living in the moment and awakening to experience.
Mindfulness has been around for thousands of years but only recently was it fully embraced by the business community as a leadership practice. The concept of mindfulness can be deep-seeded within an organization.
Mindfulness is not about doing things perfectly or getting rid of all anxieties. It is about knowing what works for you and becoming less preoccupied with external distractions. Mindfulness can develop people’s mental skills, which in turn, makes them more effective leaders. Some ways that mindfulness has been incorporated into leadership style includes:
*Leaders can lead meetings in a mindful way by focusing on the purpose of the meeting. When participants know why they are at the meeting, it reduces unnecessary details and helps people pay attention to important information.
*Managers can motivate their employees by not assigning too much work at once. This approach creates burnout and makes an employee less productive.
Managing people’s expectations and giving them time to complete the work is a healthier way of motivating people. Also, when employees feel valued, they will be more productive and committed to their jobs.
*Mindfulness has been used in performance reviews by allowing employees and managers communicate with one another in a non-judgmental way. This reduces the stress that usually comes along with performance reviews.
*Mindful communication -employees can be mindful of their communication with one another which could lead to a more productive work environment. By avoiding distractions and thinking before speaking, communication will be more effective.
Mindfulness is a practical tool for developing leadership skills. It is a way to make a leader more aware of their strengths and weaknesses, while also helping them be less preoccupied with distractions. The main goal of mindfulness is to focus on the moment and be in tune with others around you.
Self-awareness and Mindfulness
In today’s fast paced world, there is a greater need for leaders to be able to make quick, informed decisions. In order to do this effectively, leaders should have a high level of self-awareness and mindfulness in order to make the best decision possible. Mindfulness within an organization can be defined as “the act of maintaining awareness or remembering information relating to our current experience.”
The main goal of self-awareness is for greater individual understanding in order to make better decisions in the leadership role. Mindfulness encourages an individual to accept things as they are, rather than focusing on how they can change things to fit their own needs. This practice allows leaders to be open minded and aware of all factors surrounding them so that when faced with a decision, they are fully prepared to make the best possible choice.
There is a greater need for leaders who can be self-aware and mindful of their surroundings so that they may better understand an organization’s needs and how their decisions will affect those surrounding them. Mindfulness allows organization leaders to focus on what is important so that timely, informed decisions may be made. With this method of mindfulness, leaders can be more effective in their roles.
Organizational Leadership Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the act of focusing on the moment and being aware of one’s surroundings. This practice has been around for thousands of years but was not fully embraced by business until recent decades. When leaders are mindful, they are able to see their organizations from a different perspective. This unique view allows leaders to look at the organization in parts and recognize what needs to be changed and what is working well.
Mindfulness can help leaders focus on the development of their employees, like recognizing any individual skill gaps that may need filling or determining which team members are working well together. Through mindfulness, leaders are able to recognize what is important and act accordingly.
Mindfulness in business was first recognized after World War II when the United States began experiencing unprecedented economic growth following many years of depression. During this time, popular management theories were published that encouraged businesses to focus on allocating resources more efficiently than ever before.
During the 1960’s, a time of social change and turmoil, mindfulness was examined again by academics. This time, rather than focusing on business success, mindfulness was viewed from a more personal level. Mindfulness this time was to encourage individuals to focus on improving their own lives and developing what they felt were meaningful relationships with others.
Summary: Mindfulness allows leaders to focus on what is important and necessary for their organizations, and encourages them to remember that every action has a reaction. This practice brings about an appreciation for all organizational members, as well as helps business leaders deal with stress and complexity in the workplace.
Relationship Mindfulness
Mindfulness encourages individuals to be open-minded and not allow preconceived notions to cloud their judgment. When leaders practice mindfulness, they are able to understand how their decisions affect those around them.
Mindfulness encourages individuals not only to think about the present but also to think carefully about the future consequences of today’s actions. This awareness allows for leaders to make informed decisions that are best suited for their organizations.
At first glance, mindfulness appears to be a selfish act that encourages individuals to focus on their own needs and wants. However, when viewed as a leadership tool, mindfulness allows for leaders to understand the organization as a whole and encourage healthy relationships with each of their employees. When all members of an organization feel valued, they can work more cohesively as a team.
In recent years, psychologists have been looking into ways for parents to teach their children about mindfulness and the benefits that come from being present in the moment. Many schools now encourage exercises for students designed to encourage self-awareness and recognizing what is going on around them. Some universities even offer courses to help students become more mindful of their surroundings.
Mindfulness encourages open communication, healthy relationships, and appreciation for all organizational members. Additionally, mindfulness can help individuals focus on what is important right now rather than getting lost in their own thoughts or fears. This practice can be beneficial to leaders who wish to make informed decisions that best suit the needs of their organizations.
