Zen Leadership: Finding Calm in the Chaos

In a world where it seems like you have to be "hair on fire" to get anything done, what if there’s another way? What if you could be both ambitious AND calm, while leading others with grace, compassion, and a sense of peace? Well, you can. This article gives you a peek into Zen Leadership – a way of leading that doesn't involve barking orders or stressing yourself out. Instead, it's all about being the best version of yourself so others are inspired to follow.

I recently delivered a workshop for clients, Ericka and Jennifer, on this very topic. If you were a fly on the wall, here’s some of what you would have heard about? Zen Leadership and how it can transform not only how you work, but how you live.

What is Zen Leadership, Really?

Let’s start with the basics. Zen Leadership isn’t about telling people what to do. It's about being the type of person people naturally want to support. It’s about trusting yourself, making good decisions, and taking care of yourself so you can take care of others.

So many leaders fall into the trap of thinking they must be busy, stressed, and constantly in motion to be effective. But here’s the thing… you can be calm and still achieve greatness. In fact, being calm may help you achieve more.

How are you showing up every day? Are you calm, or are you letting stress run the show? Are you ambitious yet grounded? Because, yes, you can be both.

Let’s Breathe (For Real This Time)

If there’s one thing you take away from Zen Leadership, it’s this - take a breath. Like, a real one. It's not that shallow, hurried kind of breath you take when you’re rushing around. I mean a deep breath, one that travels all the way down to your abdomen.

During the workshop, I guided Ericka and Jennifer through a quick breathing exercise, and it’s something you can do anytime—at your desk, before a meeting, or even when you're stuck in traffic. I had them place a hand on their heart and breathe deeply, focusing on their heart space. As you breathe, imagine your breath flowing in and out of your heart.

It might sound simple, but the benefits are profound. Within minutes, you can calm your entire nervous system and sync up your brain and heart. Why does that matter? Because when your brain and heart are in harmony, you think more clearly, make better decisions, and are more focused. Plus, everyone around you starts feeling calmer too. It’s like magic.

Ambition Without Anxiety – Is That a Thing?

Absolutely! You know how people say, “I thrive under pressure”? Yeah, no. Most of us don’t. In fact, being in a constant state of stress actually makes you less productive. I asked Ericka and Jennifer if they’ve ever felt like they were getting less done when they were in that “hair-on-fire” mode, and Jennifer nailed it, “I actually feel like I get less done when I’m a hot mess.”

Sound familiar? When you’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to mistake being busy for being productive. But when you’re in that mode, are you really getting your best work done? Probably not. In Zen Leadership, the goal isn’t to eliminate stress (because, let’s face it, stress happens), but to manage it. It’s about finding your center even in the chaos.

What Does Success Look Like for You?

This was a big question I posed during the workshop, “What would success look like for you today?” And the answers were insightful.

Ericka said she strives to be the best version of herself every day. Jennifer wants to learn something new that helps her or her team grow. Success doesn’t have to be something massive. Sometimes, success is simply staying calm in a tough situation or not letting stress dictate your actions.

So, what does success look like for you right now? Not five years from now, but today, in this moment? It might be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before your next meeting or showing up for your team with a calm, centered energy.

Gratitude: The Ultimate Leadership Hack

Gratitude might just be the secret sauce to becoming an effective leader (and human). Studies show that practicing gratitude can literally rewire your brain. It reduces stress, improves sleep, and even decreases physical pain. Yep, that’s right… being thankful can actually make you feel less pain.

When I started my first business, Gratitude Cookies, I wasn’t exactly a shining example of gratitude. I complained about everything. Then a mentor challenged me to read a chapter on gratitude from The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles (great name, right?) twice a day for 30 days. And at the end of those 30 days, my entire perspective had shifted.

I shared a story about how, when my car broke down on Thanksgiving night, instead of freaking out (which was my usual response), I went straight to gratitude. “I’m so grateful we’re only five miles from home. I’m so grateful we were able to get off the highway safely. I’m so grateful a tow truck is on the way.”

Gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about shifting your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s still going right. And guess what? When you’re a leader who shows gratitude, your team not only feels appreciated, they work harder. In fact, research shows that receiving a thank you from a boss can increase productivity by more than 50%. Yet 60% of employees say they never get a thank you at work.

Shocking, right? Gratitude doesn’t cost a thing, but it can transform your workplace culture.

Actionable Steps to Take Today

Where do you go from here? Zen Leadership isn’t something you master overnight. But you can start practicing today. Here are a few quick, actionable steps:

1. Breathe. Like, really breathe. Set aside three minutes a day to practice deep, intentional breathing. Just 3 minutes! It’s like hitting the reset button on your stress levels.
2. Gratitude Check. Start your meetings with a simple question: “What’s good in this moment?” It shifts the energy from chaos to calm.
3. Thank You Notes. Write a quick thank you to someone on your team. Be specific about what you appreciate. Not only will it make their day, but it’ll also boost their productivity and morale.
4. Ground Yourself. Whether it’s standing barefoot in the grass, meditating, or even coloring, find a practice that helps you reconnect with your calm, centered self.

The Bottom Line

Zen Leadership isn’t just for the workplace. It’s a way of being that permeates every aspect of your life. When you show up calm, grounded, and full of gratitude, not only do you lead better, but you live better. And isn’t that what we all want?

Next time you feel the stress mounting, take a breath, find something to be grateful for, and ask yourself, “How can I show up as the best version of myself today?” You might be surprised at how much calmer—and more productive—you’ll be.

Lori Saitz is the CEO of Zen Rabbit, a forward-thinking health and wellness company specializing in helping corporations build healthy and high-performance-focused teams and workplaces. She’s also the host of Fine is a 4-Letter Word. As an award-winning author, speaker, and broadcaster, she has been published in Business Insider and worked with various organizations, including AARP, Insperity, Women in Technology, Infinity Broadcasting, and JK Moving Services.