Mindfulness helps us navigate complexity with clarity, fostering compassion in our interactions, and cultivates resilience in the face of adversity. Research data shows us that Mindfulness improves our mental and physical health, from stress management, cardiovascular improvements, to increasing our work engagement (Bartlett et al., 2021). Mindfulness is an essential prerequisite to successfully develop Leadership traits for personal and professional growth and the success of those in our care.
In essence, mindfulness is the ability to be present and engaged without judgement (Hayes & Feldman, 2004). To gain mindfulness one must first become aware of our emotions, thoughts, triggers, and actions. It is easily overlooked because our daily lives are full of distractions and routines, our work environments are fast paced, with constant challenges and deadlines, people tend to quickly respond to situations as they are usually accustomed to or trained to do. We do this because our behaviors and responses are shaped from an early age, our moral evolution is influenced by our upbringing and surrounding society and culture. As children we accept and model after parent figures, during adolescence we are largely influenced by peers and values are shaped through the influence of culture, society and personality (SĂLCEANU, 2019).
While we now understand where our values, perspectives and responses may come from, we are also able to understand why other people around us do not share the same views, values and responses, this is important because this provides us clarity and focus on the areas of improvement and gives us a choice to evolve.
To foster mindfulness, our toolset must include a time of self-reflection, meditation, deep-breathing exercises, focusing our energy on what truly matters, reaching decision-making objectively with greater insight and clarity, this is a journey that is best traveled with leadership mentors or other leaders who are already on this journey themselves ready to help you along the way. Mindfulness is not a skill that happens overnight, neither is leadership, they require continuous learning and practice inclusive of emotional intelligence, active listening, compassion, empathy, strengthening self-awareness, connecting with others, validating their input and experiences, and building trusted relationships.
As we achieve mindfulness in our daily lives and our work, we become more agile and resilient, we can adapt and navigate complexities with grace and wisdom, when we commit to cultivate it, we will be able to incorporate mindfulness as part of who we are, in our personal and professional life, sharing and inspiring others around us. As the demands of leadership continue to evolve, mindfulness will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of effective leadership, empowering individuals to lead with purpose, inspire and empower.
References
Bartlett L, Buscot M-J, Bindoff A,Chambers R and Hassed C (2021). Mindfulness Is Associated With Lower Stress and Higher Work Engagement in a Large Sample of MOOC
Hayes, A. M., & Feldman, G. (2004). Clarifying the Construct of Mindfulness in the Context of Emotion Regulation and the Process of Change in Therapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 11, 255-262. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bph080
Keng SL, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ. Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011 Aug;31(6):1041-56. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006. Epub 2011 May 13. PMID: 21802619; PMCID: PMC3679190.
SĂLCEANU, C. (2019). The Evolution of Human Values – A Comparative Study of Values in Adolescents and Emerging Adults. Postmodern Openings / Deschideri Postmoderne,10(2), 74–83. https://doi.org/10.18662/po/72