Being a Mindful Leader - The Power & Benefits!

Hey there! You know how some days at work you’re just “there”? Like, your body’s in the office, but your mind’s completely elsewhere – maybe on a beach somewhere?

I know that feeling well. A boss once told me, “Simon, when you are on, there is no one like you. But, when you are off, who knows where you are?” I spent years figuring this out and fixing it.

Want to be a different kind of leader, one who's in the present moment—one who’s not just physically present but also emotionally and mentally? That’s what you will be when you practice mindful leadership.

Picture this: You walk into work, and instead of diving straight into emails and meetings, you take a moment to breathe, center yourself, and set your intentions for the day. I know, I know, a lot of you suddenly went, “Well, this sounds a little woo woo.” But it’s powerful. You’re a leader who cares, listens, and makes thoughtful decisions. Mindful leadership practices help you stay calm and increase your resilience.

So I promise you, this isn’t some “woo-woo” BS. It’s practical, doable, and transformative for everyone around you. Your team will feel it, your clients will notice it, and even your family will appreciate the more “present” you. You may find your team joins in with you.

So, are you in? Ready to explore a new, more mindful way of leading? Excellent, because we’re diving in headfirst, and you’re coming with us!

The Pillars of Mindful Leadership

Self-Awareness

Many say they are self-aware, but very few are. This has been a hard lesson for me. You will know you are when you snap at someone and then think, “Whoa, where did that come from?” I live by this; it has taken decades to get here. I try to assess every reaction - especially my bad ones.

When you can reflect in the moment and clarify why you did something a certain way, you have moved toward being fully present. Trust me, this will make a huge positive difference in your and your team’s lives.

Being self-aware doesn’t mean you have to meditate for hours or keep a diary (although, if that’s your jam, go for it! I try to). It’s more about tuning into your emotions and thoughts – knowing what makes you tick, what triggers you, and what behaviors it causes.

These behaviors are not new to you; you have built them over a lifetime, so you may need to dig deep to find that trigger. Trust me, it’s not easy.

When you’re self-aware, you’re not just a better leader but a better human. The compassion and confidence you will show in the workplace will give everyone a sense of calm (and help with your stress levels).

Having the skills to catch yourself before you snap at a team member or realize why a particular project is making you anxious. It’s like having a cheat sheet for life.

Wisdom and Self-Mastery

I know “wisdom” sounds like something from a fortune cookie, but if it worked for Marcu Aurelius and the Stoics...

Wisdom is about something other than knowing all the answers but learning how to find them. Many leaders feel they have to know everything and respond like experts. Mindful leaders focus on the job and the person. They create excellence by giving their full attention to the emotions they are experiencing.

Leadership excellence is the ability to look at a tricky situation and think, “How can we tackle this in a better way that’s fair to everyone?” A great leader will look at the bigger picture and look to their colleagues and employees for the answers they don’t know.

Self-mastery is the next level up. It’s about not letting your impulses or moods dictate your actions. Ever had a boss who was all over the place, mood-wise? Not fun, right? Self-mastery helps you be the steady hand that guides the ship, no matter how stormy it gets. Develop this, have the presence of a mindful leader, and watch the ripple effect of innovation and creativity spiral outwards in your organization.

Compassion and Open-mindedness

Okay, let’s talk about compassion and being open-minded. This doesn’t mean you’re a pushover; it means that you have emotional intelligence and empathy for your team. You care about the people you lead. You listen, you empathize, and you make decisions that take everyone’s well-being into account – it is the ability to be human-centered.

Open-mindedness rounds you out. It’s listening to new ideas, even if they challenge your beliefs. It’s what turns a good leader into a mindful leader. When employees have ideas that challenge you, look for the reason why. You want to encourage creativity and innovation, not stifle it.

The Benefits of Being a Mindful Leader

Enhanced Connection with Team Members

Do you know that warm, fuzzy feeling when someone really “gets” you? That great leader in our careers that we can all name and remember for how they made us feel? Sound familiar?

Imagine spreading that vibe throughout your entire team. When you’re a mindful leader, you’re not just their boss – you’re part of the team. You’re in the trenches with them, understanding their challenges, celebrating their wins, and hopefully having fun along the way.

When your team feels connected to you, they’re more likely to go the extra mile. A trick here is being vulnerable; let them get to know you on an emotional level. Your team wants to be on the journey with you, not for you.

Remember - as a leader, YOU work for THEM, not the other way around. Your job is to clear the path and make their job easier.

Effective Change Management

People get nervous when they encounter a new software system or a complete company overhaul. But as a mindful leader, you have a secret weapon: empathy. You understand that you’re there to guide your team through it step by step.

I have been through many changes. They are a huge opportunity, and your team's ability to see this is up to you.

It’s not about saying, “This is happening; deal with it.” It’s about saying, “I know this is tough, but we’re going to get through it together.”

Making Value-Aligned Decisions

What are your values? What are the organization’s values? Whether you are the Vice President or CEO, your teams want to know that you will hold true to your values, which hopefully align with theirs.

As a mindful leader, your values guide you. The organization can share its knowledge in its leadership training. However, your values are what make you you. When you are focused on human-centered decisions, your values are your lens. Your values are not the bottom line but rather the impact of your decisions on your team, your clients, and even yourself.

The best part? When you make value-aligned decisions, you sleep better at night. There is no tossing and turning, wondering if you did the right thing. You know you did, and that’s a feeling money can’t buy.

How to Cultivate Mindful Leadership

Mindfulness Practices for Leaders

So, you’re pumped about becoming a more mindful leader—incredible! But where do you start? This is not about becoming a Buddhist monk but about developing a daily routine that includes mindfulness training. Start in your own life before trying to develop workplace mindfulness.

A great meditation practice is to focus on your breath. Follow your breath in and out. As thoughts enter your mind, simply acknowledge them and go back to your breath. This will train your attention like you train your biceps: consistency and repetition.

Even just acknowledging what you are grateful for helps. My husband and I had our house flood; we have been out of it for many months as it is rebuilt. I am grateful for this; we now have the chance to rebuild it how we want – on insurance money.

Books and Resources on Mindful Leadership

There are so many books on mindfulness and meditation. From classics to new age. Here is a link to some: https://www.mindful.org/10-mindfulness-books-youll-want-to-read-this-fall/

My personal favorite is podcasts and meditation apps. I am currently devouring the guided meditations on the Expand app.

Ask friends what they read and listen to. I will regularly post my new finds here and on my social media. Better yet, set up a team list and share it with each other!

Balancing Work and Personal Life Mindfully

Let’s remember that being a mindful leader isn’t just a 9-to-5 gig; it’s a lifestyle. Do a mindful leadership training course, practice mindfulness meditation, and always try to be present.

Practicing mindful leadership will give you the ability to focus on what is important and not just the loudest voice, which is quite often your own.

The goal of this is to give you clarity on the world you live in. Create the skills to reduce your stress and lead your organization’s employees at the moment – your business results will see it for the positive.

You must also bring that same awareness and compassion to your personal life. Think about it: How can you be more present during family dinners? Or more engaged in your hobbies? Trust me, the benefits spill over into every area of your life.

Your workplace and employees will respond by focusing on mindfulness and becoming mindful leaders. Their lives and your colleagues will feel your presence in a whole new way.

Mindful Leadership in the Digital Age

Navigating Remote Work

Ah, remote work is the dream for some, but it is a challenge for others. But here’s the thing: Being a mindful leader in a remote setting is totally doable. It’s about staying connected, even when you’re miles or continents apart. Regular check-ins, virtual coffee breaks, or even a quick “How’s your day going?” message can make a world of difference.

A mindful leader understands that they are responsible for driving a good culture, not their teams.

Virtual Team Building:

During the pandemic, we were all beyond bored of the Zoom games; however, there are some really fun alternatives.

My organization loves the My Virtual Mission game. Employees form groups of team members who compete to get to a destination virtually. You can run, ride, Zumba, or any other form of movement. Each person gets a sense of leading their team to victory. The more employees and leaders you get involved, the more ability you have to build bonds and relationships.

Setting Boundaries:

Mindful leaders know that home is also the office; it’s easy to blur the lines. As mindful leaders, you set the example by respecting your own time and encouraging your team to do the same. Create a designated workspace at home and make it a rule to “leave” work at a specific time. Trust me, your future self (and your team) will thank you.

Sometimes, your employees may not have the ability to do this. Practicing mindful leadership will give you the understanding to help them and lead them in a way that is stress-free for you both.

Balancing Work and Personal Life Mindfully - Online

We’ve all been there—scrolling through emails while binge-watching our favorite show or answering work calls during family time. But being mindful means knowing when to unplug and expecting your employees to unplug.

Designated ‘Me Time’:

Block out specific times in your calendar for personal activities, such as workouts, reading, or spending time with family. Treat this time as non-negotiable. My hour with my dog in the morning is spent with her and me only. My phone is on Do Not Disturb.

For my team, I placed large blocks of time in their diaries throughout the week. These were times when they could focus on themselves and be creative.

Practice stepping into the shoes of your employees. You may like working at night. Don’t send that email at 11 p.m.; use the schedule feature to send it in the morning. Be aware of the subtle messages these behaviors deliver.

I have seen some leaders have a note in their signature stating they work late and don't expect you to - just don't do it. It sends a dangerous message.

Digital Detox:

Consider a regular digital detox where you disconnect from all work-related devices for a set period. It could be an hour each day or a full day over the weekend. The point is to give yourself a break from the constant digital noise.

A great mindfulness practice is not looking at your phone for at least 30 minutes after you wake up, especially to check work emails. There is science behind this, too - when you wake, your body is coursing with cortisol, the stress hormone.

Checking your email or social media as soon as you wake up sets you up for a bad day.

Jeff Bezos doesn’t take any meetings before 10 a.m. This is his time to potter and relax. He understands that these practices make him a better person and be in the present moment throughout the rest of his day.

Mindful Transitions:

Create small rituals to transition between work and personal time (I must admit I do love a good Gin and Tonic for this – not recommended, though). It could be as simple as a five-minute meditation session or a quick walk around the block. These rituals signal to your brain that it’s time to switch gears.

Note: I have stopped my gins since I originally posted this article. This is the BEST DECISION EVER!

The most important practice to develop is a bedtime routine and regular timing. You are a better person with good sleep. It is hard to be mindful when you are tired and grumpy from not getting enough sleep.

Today’s Moments are Precious:

Your work will be there tomorrow, but today’s moments are one-time offers. Stop wishing your life away.

Take note of these moments, write them down, and show gratitude that you got to experience them. Your next day is never a guarantee.