Mindfulness is much more than the latest buzzword in the personal and professional growth-and-development space. It is an ancient practice that has helped countless people cultivate compassion, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. It deepens one’s connection to life and helps improve focus on the all-important present moment. It seems simple, and yet it is quite profound, especially when you consider just how mindless modern life and work can be at times.

I believe mindfulness is becoming ever so popular in business because people are finally waking up to the sad realities of a world where multitasking at a lightning pace has become the norm. Somewhere along the line, good business became equated with “busy-ness,” and our organizational values began to align with taking on too much as the standard approach to work. Corporate life has become extremely stressful, with employees being asked to do more and more every day in an ever-changing environment. This way of working may cause people to become unfocused and unable to operate in the present, which is the only place that matters to be effective and offer your personal best.

Technological advances are supposed to help us be more productive and efficient, but they often act as double-edged swords: apps, devices and the availability of big data make a lot of things easier, but they also divide our focus and keep us from paying attention to the here and now. This adds to the storm of ineffective multi-tasking and mindlessness that rages through many modern organizations.

As a leader, you have to recognize that an ultra-busy, distracted and unfocused workforce will only deter you from achieving your goals and objectives. Mindfulness can make a world of difference in the action-packed world we live and play in. It is not a quick fix that is applied in a single training session or seminar. It must be grown and nurtured as part of the corporate culture in a systemic, sustainable manner and starts at the top with the most senior executes leading by example.‍

Why Mindfulness Is So Important for Organizations

Before you can encourage your people to buy in to the value and concept of mindfulness, it’s important that you recognize the benefits of the practice. Let’s consider what some of these top companies are doing:

• Google implemented a program known as “Search Inside Yourself” in 2007, which helps employees develop new mental habits, increase their focus and improve their self-knowledge.
• Intel launched its “Awake@Intel” program in 2014, which teaches meditation and breathing techniques to employees. It has resulted in a happier, more focused and less stressed-out workforce.
• Aetna launched its “Mind-Body Stress” program in 2012. It focuses on mindfulness and stress reduction, and ensures that employees have access to meditation rooms and classes. The company has seen its employee healthcare costs drop significantly since the program’s inception.
• General Mills introduced its mindfulness program in 2006. It consists of training, a four-day retreat and an intensive meditation class, in addition to organized weekly mediation sessions.

Other successful companies that have embraced mindfulness include:

• Facebook
• Procter and Gamble
• Apple
• Ford
• Bank of America
• Twitter
• McKinsey
• DeutscheBank
• Adobe
• Kaiser Permanente
• Astra Zeneca

This list only touches the tip of the iceberg when it comes to organizations that have implemented mindfulness practices into their core operations. You’ll notice that every single one of them is highly successful, and that’s no coincidence.

When mindfulness is embraced by organizations, business becomes more collaborative, successful and engaging as it also helps improve the overall emotional intelligence of a company’s workforce. It reduces absenteeism while increasing creativity and decision-making skills. It heightens self-awareness and builds trust among individuals and all members of the workforce.

Are you convinced of the power of mindfulness for your organization?  ‍

Becoming More Mindful as a Leader

If you are ready to buy in to the concept of creating a more mindful organization, I have some tips for you to get started.

But first, I think it’s critical that you take the first step yourself. If you truly want to create a more mindful organization, the journey must start with you and other leaders inside your company.

To me, mindful leadership means knowing how to tune in to your own self-awareness, which allows you to respond appropriately to people and situations. Most leaders simply react mindlessly to problems; they don’t approach situations with awareness. When we are busy and stressed, we operate on auto-pilot, which causes us to react out of panic, fear and a mind that is either stuck in the past or too focused on the future.

I would suggest you begin your own mindfulness practice in the manner that’s best suited to you. You may want to begin meditating once per day to cultivate the “witnessing” mind. Or you may want to devote more time to engage with nature, exploring the arts or simply creating blocks of “unstructured” time on your calendar. The point is to strengthen the muscle of your mind, so it can focus on the present moment.

It may be incredibly difficult to stay locked in to the here and now, and that’s normal as the mind is conditioned to distract you with its endless streams of thoughts and ideas. The goal is to notice when you become distracted, and then return to the present moment by refocusing your attention and awareness. The key is to be gentle and forgiving with yourself as the mind is powerful and will naturally draw your attention elsewhere. With practice, you will learn to develop the ability to stay in the present moment and lead your people in a more mindful manner.‍

3 Ways to Make Your Organization More Mindful

Once you start feeling more comfortable with your personal mindfulness progress, you will begin to see remarkable benefits. Your relationships with others may feel different, more meaningful, and the way in which others perceive you will also be different. You will be viewed as someone who truly values others by offering your undivided attention and focus – that sends the message that I value you and your time, and that is priceless.  

Here are a few tips that will help you further develop your own — and your organization’s — level of mindfulness:

#1 — Set a Mindful Example
As a leader, you set the tone for your people. When they see you behaving more mindfully, focused, aware and engaged, they will naturally want to know your secret. Be an example for your people to follow regarding the benefits of mindfulness, and they will engage in their own practice much more eagerly.

#2 — Create Space for Mindfulness
Companies that have a physical space within their offices for meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices have more engaged, focused, relaxed and productive employees. Creating the space is not enough by itself, as you must encourage your employees to take advantage of it and allow them the time to do so.

#3 — Take Time to Refresh and Reflect
As you travel down the road of progress and productivity, it’s easy to forget to take time to reflect and refresh. Pausing for mindful reflection in between big projects and deadlines is a great way to encourage employees to check in with their present state of mind and general wellbeing. Have your people tune in with their feelings and emotions, and really check in with their internal barometers. These occasionally pauses allow people to catch their breath, re-center themselves in the present and re-engage with their professional passions once again.

These tips may seem surprisingly simple, but they can produce profound outcomes. There is a lot more you can do to instill a more mindful culture, and these ideas will get you started, which doesn’t require a huge investment of money or time. If you want to be a high-performing organization, then follow the leaders in this space such as Google or Apple or the various other companies I have listed in this article.  ‍

Are You Ready to Create a More Mindful Organization?

The benefits of mindfulness can help individuals tremendously, but it can also elevate an entire organization’s performance — and it begins with you as a leader.

If you are curious about how mindfulness can transform you and your organization, I’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and let’s chat. Or simply leave me a comment here.

Contact me today at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca to learn more.