Mindful Leadership Are you working in a company or law firm where leaders take time to sit still? Do leaders in your company or law firm have a calm and optimistic presence under pressure? One of the most powerful questions one can ask is "Does our company culture support mindfulness?" Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent leaders are self-aware and reflective.
Leadership through Mindfulness Mindfulness meditation has long been practiced by Buddhists and others seeking greater calm and peace of mind.
Take time to sit and be still.
Stressed-out executives need a way to reconnect with themselves to become more open and more effective.
Mindfulness meditation addresses a wide range of topics, including: o How to heal toxic workplace cultures where anxiety and stress impede creativity and performance o How to cultivate courage and confidence in spite of workplace difficulties and economic recession o How to pursue organizational goals without neglecting what is happening here and now o How to lead with wisdom and gentleness, not only with ambition, relentless drive and power o How a personal meditation practice develops your innate leadership talents In times of recession, experts make a strong case against panic and pessimism.
There is no better way to combat fear than to engage in the ancient practice of meditation, which enjoys a longstanding record of success.
Even if you tend to shun New Age principles, this may be the time to keep an open mind and learn the tenets of mindfulness meditation.
For many, the idea of pausing during a frantic workday to stop and sit still may seem absurd.
As you stare down project deadlines and unpredictable time demands, this suggestion may seem unreasonable to you.
But many U.
S.
and global workplaces are adopting mindfulness meditation.
People are taking time to simply sit still and practice it: - Companies like Raytheon, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Nortel Networks, Comcast and prominent law firms have offered employees classes in mindfulness meditation.
- Executives like Bill Ford Jr.
, chairman of Ford Motor Company; Michael Stephen, former chairman of Aetna International; Robert Shapiro, ex-CEO of Monsanto; and Michael Rennie, managing partner of McKinsey & Co.
, meditate and consider the practice beneficial to running a corporation.
So, while some may view stopping and sitting still for 15-30 minutes an absurd prospect, it may be just the solution to prevent burnout and stress, especially in tough economic times.
Recent research highlights the many benefits of mindfulness meditation: 1.
Repaired immune systems 2.
Heightened emotional intelligence 3.
Reduced anxiety and depression 4.
Sustained levels of joy and satisfaction 5.
Greater career resilience 6.
Improved cardiovascular health 7.
Fewer days lost to illness and stress Scientific studies indicate that practicing mindfulness is just plain healthy.
Apart from the published research, leaders who do it experience a wealth of benefits.
The millions who pursue mindfulness meditation are rediscovering what it means to be human.
But practicing meditation requires practice.
It demands vulnerability and heart, rather than ambition and achievement.
 It may be difficult at first for hard-driving, results-oriented executives.
Becoming a mindful leader requires you to explore the intimacy of sitting still and learning how such a simple act can transform your complicated, demanding workplace.
Working with a seasoned executive coach trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i and CPI 260 can help you become a more inspiring and mindful leader.
You can become a leader or who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become happily engaged and aligned with the vision and mission of your company or law firm.