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1.3 | How do these practices inform or influence your leadership?
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These practices have allowed me to slow down and pause. Instead of immediately reacting or moving to the next thing, I can meet others from a calm and grounded place.
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I am starting to see I can integrate mindfulness more into my day and work and also that it can become more of an ongoing practice (rather than meditating and then going straight into my head at work). I want to work on being more intentional – how I am sitting, listening, my style and the needs of others, how I look after myself – rather than just dashing at pace from one situation to the next. This is easier said than done given the always- on pace and demands of work and family life. So I need to think about how do I ensure these things stay integrated and be reminded that everything can be practice. It feels like the body and being embodied can remind me of all the other elements – and this is also where I need most work.
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From a self-care perspective, I began working with a nutritionist. By eating better and not missing meals, I notice that I have more energy and my focus is sharper. In addition, using the meal plan and grocery list the nutritionist provides ensures that I have fewer decisions to make—the fewer decisions I have to make about day-to-day things, the better.
In terms of my mindfulness of the body practice, I am more connected to how I feel, making it easier to communicate requests to colleagues, friends, and family. This makes me a better leader both at home, at work, and in my community.
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These practices can allow me to drive deeper connections with teams. Instead of driving my points across, stepping back and mindfully listening to others will allow me to have a wider lens of what’s going on in the organization and how we as a team can contribute or need to make adjustments.
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I have earned a reputation for my exactness. In my career, it is a skill that is needed to be successful, however, it has been my inability to bring flexibility and sparkliness to the work environment that has created problems for me. I am able to embody these qualities in more casual or informal environments with my colleagues, however, I think allowing the vulnerability of ‘reducing control’ and joy will bring more connection to myself and others.
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I feel I am now more aware and able to stop myself from overthinking and being in my head and instead have more bias-towards action and being present for others. As a result, I feel more “solid” and confident and not self-critical or perfectionistic when being of service to others.
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These practices are providing perspective, festina lente! I’m developing greater insight into the leadership paradox that is required to live and lead through so much ambiguity, flux and whiplash. I’ve also found myself recognizing when I’m overthinking and just needing to let it be.
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Leadership = the act of leading a group or organization.
My answer to this question is quite simple, brief and elemental. Absent an appropriate and sufficient level of self care in spiritual or mindful practice, plentiful sleep, regular balanced diet and adequate physical fitness I can’t credibly or capably provide leadership to anyone or anything else. Who can lead others if they can’t capably lead oneself?
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Showing up as less reactionary and practicing responsiveness and mindful listening has created more peace for me in my leadership practice. Its helping me to be more aware and present and less overstimulated by the events of the day, problems, questions etc that arise.
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These practices equip me with a better understanding and more patience for how a colleague might be showing up on any given day. It is easy just to just focus on the work, but when approached on a human level, people are happier, feel more appreciated and seen, and the morale is higher. By approaching projects with teams in a holistic way that puts people first, the outcomes are more interesting and exciting. In a leadership roll, I do feel it’s important to elevate voices within my teams and create space for others to thrive in the workplace and feel appreciated.
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I can embrace annoyance at work, just like how I can tolerate physical pains. I need to continue to acknowledge all sorts of feelings without hanging on to them.
I can create space in time of contention, just like how I can create mental space when I feel trapped. I need to have faith that tensions are impermanent, and I have the power to choose to loosen them.
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Nothing to report yet, but I’m feeling good about it!
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Still trying to establish the best time of day.
I hold significant tension in jaw, shoulders, neck. If I can focus on this area first, easier to fall into general body awareness and settle into meditation.
Mind wandering goes towards frustrations and internal “arguments” with people, ideas and planning.
Become very sleepy- I am resistant to body scan practices and natural preference for breathing meditations.
Tried mindfulness of body while driving one day – driving behavior directly reflected my internal state of calm: slowed down and wasn’t so concerned with where I was going. -
Entered above in the wrong section…
Create space between my internal experience and challenging situations to think clearly. I am also able to take in and listen without holding as much judgment. I’m able to finish sentences with more question marks than periods. Energy level and motivation translate to increased productivity and overall feeling of accomplishment and confidence in my work. Complete opposite when my body is not well rested and not taken care of. More internal battles about direction of career emerge when I’m not taking care of myself. -
My mindfulness of the body practice has really reminded me of the importance of grounding meetings before rushing into the busy work, prioritizing productivity over deep, intentional work. Reminding myself that it’s ok to pause and breathe and invite others in the space, group or community to do so with me and resisting the guilt of not being able to do everything has been a great reminder.
This also helps me with my need to jump in to fill the silence from the group with answers, and helps me hold true space for others.
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