Leadership Secrets - The Softest Skill

"If you can manage your mind , you can manage the whole world."

The Mind is a complex instrument, infinitely more complex than say a mobile phone. Like a mobile phone, the mind operates in different modes, 5 modes, some of these modes are not harmful, but some are.

Mode 1- Analysis and wanting proof

In this mode, the mind is constantly engaged in arguments, in searching for proof, in knowledge and in analysis. Getting stuck in this mode, can lead to over analysis and paralysis, too many doubts and can lower your energy.

A wise person once said - sometimes you need to act when you definitely know your action is going to work, however, many times you need to act from a space of trust and faith i.e when you don't know. Life is a combination of both.

Mode 2 - Misconception

In this mode, the mind makes wrong assumptions, many times about people e.g Person A does not like me, Person B does not respect me, Person C does not love me , the world is not a good place etc. etc.

Getting stuck in Mode 2, where you have misconceptions about people , about society , about the nature of the world etc., can destroy your relationships, reduce your sense of belonging and negatively impact team work.

Mode 3 - Fear and Fantasy

In this mode, the mind get's paranoid and is in fear. Unfounded thoughts like, if such a such a thing happens, what will happen to me etc. linger. Also, the mind may be in fantasy e.g after few years I will be a king, a fortune will come my way, I will be the richest man in the world etc.

Getting stuck in this mode, can keep you away from taking real action in the real world and can be a big time waster and energy waster.

Mode 4 - Sleep

In this mode the mind is in a state of unawareness.

Mode 5 - Memory & Remembering Experiences

In this mode the mind in dwelling on the past and recollecting past experiences. If your mind is in this mode for too long, you may be wasting precious time.

It is very important to recognize that the mind is only an instrument and that we are much more than our minds. Like any instrument, the mind needs to be used appropriately.

Every leader needs to have a sound mind (a sound mind is a slient mind) and it is important to understand the functioning of your mind so that you can be more aware about the modes in which your own mind is working.

Meditation takes you beyong your mind, it gives rest to your mind. Once you go beyond your mind and become a witness to your mind, you are so much more aware of how your mind is working. Once you master your mind, you will be a master mind.

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Note: This article is based on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's commentary on an ancient text called the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. This article is copyrighted.