Being a Mindful Leader: 16 Mindful Behaviours for Leaders
This last week I have had the privilege of facilitating within a leadership development program for 23 women leaders working in customs/border control in Asia.
It was a joy to support these amazing women, committed to their roles and their professional and personal development as leaders.
We had lively dialogue on the challenges of dealing with difficult staff, colleagues and bosses and how we can remaining calm, mindful and effective within difficult leadership situations. BEING a MINDFUL LEADER was a common theme within these discussions.
In the last few days I have pondered further about what it means to be a mindful leader and have unpacked some specific behaviours that demonstrate mindful leadership. Here are my thoughts.
A mindful leader is one who makes conscious intention to apply the principles of mindfulness (being PRESENT, PAYING ATTENTION, engaged, curious, in non-judgemental way) to their life, work and leadership responsibilities.
A mindful leader practices Mindfulness Meditation on a regular basis and/or incorporates informal mindfulness practices into their day
A Mindful Leader (of self and others) practices PRESENCE, FOCUS and AWARENESS (of self and others) in the following 16 ways:
In meetings, they remain present, they look the speaker in the eyes, they use active listening skills to truly hear what others are saying. They are AWARE of the non-verbal communication of others and what that might be communicating
When listening to others, they notice when they do get distracted by their own thoughts, opinions, prejudices, internal dialogue, assumptions.. and come back to the present moment and being present to others
They notice the silence of those who don’t speak up, not assuming they have nothing to say, and find ways to engage everyone in the meeting
They respond and speak with consideration and thoughtfulness and awareness, mindful of the potential impact of their words and actions
By UNITASKING for periods in the day, turning off electronic devises, email pop ups, social media etc
They recognise and set aside biases and prejudices…and are OPEN to new ideas, approaches, are CURIOUS in conversations, not jumping to conclusions….
They recognise when they are OVERTHINKING, (rehashing conversations, regretting their actions doubt their decisions, worrying about the future….) and engage with their SENSES..(their breath, the sounds or the sensations in their body) to bring them back to the present moment…
By CREATING SPACE in their day for and committing to MINDFUL MINUTES or a PURPOSEFUL PAUSE
They Respond and not react, think before speaking and taking action
They are aware of their personal “triggers”. They practice impulse control by taking a breath, and in doing so, creates a space between trigger and usual “reaction”.
They Have CLARITY of thought, they know/ feel/ intuit what is right action and takes action
They can discern when to take action and when to “let things be” or “let things go”
They are able to make the difficult (but right) decisions, they do not “People Please”…
They do not avoid conflict, or the difficult conversation, they handle it with sensitivity, speak the TRUTH, and act and speak with COURAGE
They are “centred” in themselves, they have an “internal locus of control”.. (most of the time..)
They are not perfect, they are kind and compassionate to themselves when they “get it wrong”.
Of course, you do not have to be in a leadership position to embody these mindful actions - or demonstrate leadership, we all can benefit from remembering and applying these mindful actions.
Copyright (C) Helen Elizabeth Alm 2023.