Often, “mindfulness” conjures up images of stillness in a yoga studio. But fast-paced executives are finding mindfulness and leadership also go hand in hand. Intentionally tuning in to daily tasks, people and events can actually benefit the boardroom as much as it does the boat pose.
Why mindfulness matters
Merriam-Webster defines mindfulness as “the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.” This mindset encourages people to slow down and focus on the present.
For many in upper management positions, slowing down feels more like a luxury than a reality. However, mindfulness can also occur by noticing actions as they happen.
Essentially, mindfulness exists in opposition to moving thoughtlessly from one task to the next and instead prioritizes focus, curiosity and openness. According to leadership expert John C. Maxwell, the highest level of leadership – Pinnacle leadership – requires intentionality.
Maxwell writes in his book The 5 Levels of Leadership Pinnacle leadership “requires longevity as well as intentionality … if you continually focus on both growing yourself at every level, and developing leaders who are willing and able to develop other leaders, you may find yourself at the Pinnacle.” Leaders who practice mindfulness have an edge on the focus and intentionality required to reach the highest level of leadership.
Proven benefits in the field
Business behemoths like General Mills, Target and Google are part of the mindfulness movement. All three companies implemented mindfulness training programs and had improvements in leadership qualities like listening, productivity and decision-making.
Harvard Business Review detailed these companies’ mindfulness initiatives, noting “bringing mindfulness to the workplace has decreased people’s stress levels while improving focus and clarity, listening and decision-making skills, and overall well-being. Perhaps most importantly from a management perspective, mindfulness gives employees permission to think.”
Implementing mindfulness
Today’s leaders need to plan for tomorrow without sacrificing commitment to their day-to-day responsibilities. Though pursuing mindfulness can feel challenging in a fast-paced environment, working to increase levels of focus, curiosity and intentionality is worth the effort.
A few actionable ways you can implement mindfulness are:
- taking the time to practice active listening during one-on-one meetings
- remaining open to a company’s change and innovation trajectory
- prioritizing clarity over speed during big decisions
These small steps can add significant depth to an individual’s leadership skills.
Learn more about improving as a leader (and achieving Pinnacle leadership) with this on-demand Paycom webinar presented by John C. Maxwell. Whether you’re looking to lead your company to the next level or focusing on your own personal management skills, mindfulness can help you get there.
