What is mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about awareness that emerges through paying attention to purpose. The attention to the purpose is always in the present moment, and non-judgmental, so that experience unfolds moment by moment. When one thinks of mindfulness’s impact on leadership, and how leaders can utilize mindfulness, it can bring change. We discuss the four important steps, and how they benefit leadership.
How to achieve mindfulness
Leaders or people with leadership roles can reimagine the process that clarifies reality. Often, one is judgemental of scenarios and makes biased decisions. To overcome that, the leader can look at the matter without emotional attachment, increasing cognitive capacity and flexibility to deal with the situation The clarity and enhanced cognition, gained through being non-judgemental, paves the way for leaders to have more knowledge and skills. It helps in improving the leader’s problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Once the leader is mindful of his/her actions, it increases the ability and the workforce also takes the leader as competent and efficient. A leader who is mindful of their organization, and employees stand a better chance to deal with them efficiently.
Four steps to be a mindful leader
Mindful leadership is easy to achieve. There are four easy steps involved.
Focus
Focus implies that leaders are attentive when there is a time to solve the problem. Therefore, mindfulness involves leaders focusing on something specific such as their breathing pattern. Following their breathing pattern, they can focus and pay attention; if the attention shifts, they can redirect it.
Clarity
It helps us to see whatever is happening with clarity. It is only possible when leaders are conscious of their biases and conditioning. When leaders have clarity, they are not rigid in their approach.
Creativity
Creativity is all about being open to spaciousness. Everyday leadership at the organization is all about busyness and to-do lists. It is natural, but that much hectic work limits the ability to be creative. Mindfulness helps in achieving creativity as one is reflective of their own job.
Compassion
It helps leaders to make choices with the understanding that everyone is a part of the team. When leaders have compassion, they understand that not everyone is the same and they need to deal with everyone differently.
Benefits of a mindful leader
A mindful leader is aware of their organization, workforce, and the emotions and expectations of the workforce. It is also about controlling their emotions and stress, especially in an uncertain situation. A leader can do mindful journaling, observing and identifying their thought patterns to better understand themselves. Once they understand themselves better, they can lead the workforce effectively.
