How do we facilitate leaders to become authentic, moral, and ethical leaders? In recent years the practice of mindfulness has gained currency as a means for developing self-awareness and is a valuable tool to help people face the demands, difficulties and stresses of leadership. “Mindfulness enables leaders to be fully present, aware of themselves and their impact on other people, and sensitive to their reactions to stressful situations” (George, 2014, Mindful Leadership:
Compassion, Contemplation and Meditation Develop Effective Leaders).
Although mindfulness is an ancient concept from the Buddhist tradition, “it can be taught and practiced without religious beliefs, and is applicable to the challenges of modern-day life” (Gonzalez, 2012, 13).
1.5.3.1 Defining Mindfulness
Jon Kabat-Zinn, director of the Stress Reduction Clinic, and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, states that “Mindfulness is awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, 2012, 1). It recognizes things for what they really are. “Mindfulness is achieved by regulating one’s attention – focusing attention on one’s thoughts and emotions” (Garms, 2013, Practicing Mindful Leadership). The co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Centre, Dan Siegel refers to mindfulness practice as “good brain hygiene” that is as important to our health as brushing our teeth (Garms, 2013,
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Practicing Mindful Leadership). Gonzalez insists that “mindfulness meditation trains the mind to be in the present moment without distractions, and to concentrate on whatever you choose, for as long as you choose” (Gonzalez, 2012, 14). In mindfulness meditation, what the practitioners are trying to do is strengthen and cultivate their mind’s capabilities, just as we train our bodies in physical exercises (Marturano, 2013, Simple Daily Tips for Mindfulness at Work).
1.5.3.2 Mindful Leadership
A few pioneers have written books on mindful leadership and some websites promote mindful leadership training programs. Their purpose is to help leaders to
“cultivate self-awareness and compassion by combining western understanding of leadership with eastern wisdom about the mind, developed from practices that have been used for thousands of years” (George, 2014, Mindful Leadership:
Compassion, Contemplation and Meditation Develop Effective Leaders). The main idea of mindful leadership is, with the practice of mindfulness meditation, to help a leader be aware and present and thus becomes more efficient and effective in work and life.
1.5.3.3 Nine Skills for Mindful Leadership
In her book, Mindful Leadership: The 9 Ways to Self-awareness, Transforming yourself and Inspiring others, Gonzalez proposes “that mindfulness is not a technique, it’s a skill - one that you can learn” (Gonzalez, 2012, 9). She has researched nine skills to help a leader reach a greater self-awareness, transformation and inspiration. These nine approaches are as follows:
Be Present: Gonzalez suggests, “Being present is the starting point of being a mindful leader. Essentially, this means being in the present moment regardless of circumstances” (Gonzalez, 2012, 93). “Being present is the greatest gift you can give another person. When you are right here right now, you see things for what they really are” (Gonzalez, 2012, 94). Being present can be shown in mindful listening and mindful speech, which are valuable skills to develop and cultivate as a leader. Mindful listening and mindful speaking are very powerful ways to communicate, reduce or eliminate misunderstandings (Gonzalez, 2012, 98).
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Be Aware: Being aware has many layers, but it begins with self-awareness. This means being aware of one’s thoughts and feelings moment by moment, so that a leader won’t be blindsided or hijacked by his/her prejudice or emotions; it also means being conscious of one’s strength and hindrances, aware of how different people and situation affect oneself and visa verse, even how one interacts with his or her surrounding environment: family, team, organization, community, and the planet in general (Gonzalez, 2012, 107). Awareness enables a leader to “maintain sound judgment and make better decisions because moment by moment you’ll see what is arising within you” (Gonzalez, 2012, 108).
Be Calm: The ability to be calm regardless of circumstances is invaluable. “This serves to reassure others that a difficult situation is manageable and under control.
This allows employees to face challenges from the perspective of problem solving rather than from a place of stress and anxiety” (Gonzalez, 2012, 118). By meditating regularly, the brain rewires itself toward greater calmness. With breathing practice and relaxation skills a person can be trained to relax the body and to be calm throughout the day. Many benefits will result from having a relaxed body and a calm mind.
Be Focused: The untrained mind has considerable difficulty in concentrating on anything for a couple of minutes at a time. However, with mindfulness practice, the mind can be trained to concentrate on whatever one wishes, for as long as one desires. This makes a leader highly effective and efficient. And with training and practice a leader can stay focused, whether under stress or in the presence of multiple opportunities or distractions (Gonzalez, 2012, 127-128).
Be Clear: Being clear allows a leader to make better decisions. It is essential to be clear about one’s personal purpose, motives, intentions, thoughts and emotions, the company’s vision and strategic direction, and one’s expectations for oneself and others. Basically, being clear is closely linked to being aware of what is going on within a person and the surrounding world (Gonzalez, 2012, 133).
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Be Equanimeous: This refers to “accepting what is arising in your sensory experience without resisting or distorting it” (Gonzalez, 2012, 143). This allows a person to identify the emotion, noticing where it resides, and how it may be shifting. By being aware in this manner, a leader is in greater control, and in a better position to respond in the most appropriate way (Gonzalez, 2012, 142-143).
Be Positive: According to Gonzalez, “Being positive is an integral part of being a mindful leader. Positivity is multifaceted and includes having a can-do attitude, being of service, and being grateful. It involves being a positive force in your life, your family, your organization, your community, indeed, wherever you have the opportunity to make a difference” (Gonzalez, 2012, 152). A can-do attitude is vital in solving problems or seeking opportunities. Leaders with a can-do attitude know that nothing that is worth doing is impossible. They are optimistic and see possibilities in all challenges. They are inspirational and provide a positive force for their own life and those around them (Gonzalez, 2012, 154-155).
Be Compassionate: True compassion is deep caring without attachment. This involves caring deeply about the other person, but not for the benefit of one’s ego.
This reflects true compassion and real wisdom. “Compassion acknowledges that everyone and everything is connected. The entire world functions as a system.
Whether we are talking about systems theory in mathematics, biology, ecology, the human body, a family, or an organization, everything impacts everything else”
(Gonzalez, 2012, 166). For a mindful leader, the ability to experience and express compassion is critical to create a genuine and good relationship with self, family, organization, community, and the larger world (Gonalez, 2012, 170-173).
Be Impeccable: The final aspect of being a mindful leader is being impeccable in one’s words and deeds. Impeccability includes having integrity, being honest, and being courageous. Being impeccable includes the appropriate use of power,
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not its misuse. It is power used with care and humility. This will engender trust, and trust is vital between a leader and his/her followers (Gonzalez, 2012, 174-175). Spending ten minutes during a busy day “to stop, sit down and be still”
(Carroll, 2008, 6) can be beneficial in cultivating the ability to be present, aware, calm, equanimeous, focused, clear, positive, compassionate, and impeccable. The objective of mindfulness practice is not to become skilled at formal meditation for its own sake, but for it to become a way of living, a being-mindful-in-action, so that a leader is open to the vast reservoir of wisdom inside, and open to new possibilities.