Use mindfulness to enhance leadership skills

Over the past several years, many large corporations, such as Google, Aetna and General Mills, have started implementing mindfulness programs.

What exactly is mindfulness? It’s the ability to stay focused — even with all that’s bombarding your senses at any given moment. It’s about doing things right. It’s about resisting the temptation to multitask. Mindfulness is the practice of honing in on what you’re doing in the moment and moving past all of the distractions in today’s fast-moving society.

Research shows that many people simply aren’t present during important activities throughout the day. In fact, it’s estimated that people on average spend close to 50% of their time each day thinking about something else other than what they are doing. How do we accomplish anything? Studies show all that mind-wandering is not good for creativity, productivity or performance. For leaders, it can lead to a disconnected and poorly engaged team.

Wondering how mindful you are? This quiz can help give you an idea.

In the leadership setting, one of the most important benefits of being mindful is the bonds made with employees. Do you actively listen to your employees when they approach you with questions and concerns? Do you give them your undivided attention? Or are you thinking about everything else you need to do that day while they are talking? Do you glance around the room, at your cell phone or at your watch when someone is talking to you? How well do you know your employees? During the time you spend with them, are you getting to know their opinions and needs, or are you … thinking about something else? Leaders should know that being able to maintain focus and concentration and being able to approach every day mindfully is a life-changing leadership skill.

Therefore, it is important to cultivate mindfulness not only for personal well-being but also to create a positive work environment. Try to incorporate these tips into your daily routine:

1. Set aside time each day for meditation or self-reflection. This can help clear the mind of distractions and increase focus on the present moment.
2. Practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day, which can regulate stress levels and promote relaxation.
3. Incorporate physical activity into daily routines such as taking walks during breaks, which can help increase mindfulness by allowing you to disconnect from technology and connect with nature.

As a leader, prioritizing these tips for mindfulness improvement can help you create a more productive and harmonious workplace culture that supports both individual growth and collective success.