Mindful Leadership Made Easy

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MindfulLeadershipMade Easy
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Great leaders come in many different varieties,
but mindfulness is one quality they have in
common.
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Contemplation and compassion can make you and
your team happier and more successful.
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Thats why many major corporations are training
their employees to be more mindful.
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For example, Aetna says their training increased
productivity by one hour a week and decreased
medical claims by 9 million a year.
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Discover the benefits of greater consciousness
for yourself. Try these ideas for developing your
own mindful style of leadership.
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Developing Mindfulness
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Youll need to focus on your inner self before
you can change your external behavior.
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Training in mindfulness with these activities
will help you to lead by example...
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1. Meditate daily.
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Put aside time each day to sit quietly.
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Focus on the here and now.
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Observe your thoughts without making judgements.
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Start out with brief sessions and extend your
time as your concentration grows.
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2. Breathe deeply.
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Pay attention to your breath. With each
inhalation, draw energy into your body. With each
exhalation, release stress.
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3. Scan your body.
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Search your body from head to toe to find any
areas of tension.
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Unclench your jaw and smooth your brow.

Lift your chest and lower your shoulders.
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4. Slow down.
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Create opportunities to encourage mindfulness
throughout the day.
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Catch yourself when youre starting to rush
around. Pause and make your movements more
deliberate.
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Think about the purpose behind each activity.
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5. Adjust your routines.
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Make ordinary tasks part of your practice.
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Chant while you vacuum or put on your clothes.

Turn your attention inwards when youre stuck in
traffic or waiting for coffee to brew.
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6. Seek instruction.
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Look for meditation teachings online or in your
neighborhood.
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Community centers and yoga studios may offer
introductory sessions for free or at a very low
cost.
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Leading with Mindfulness
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If you like what mindfulness does for you, share
your practice with others. Lead with inspiration
and integrity.
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As you strengthen your communication and
decision-making skills, youll be able to reach
your potential and help others to do the same.
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Adopt these mindful leadership habits...
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1. Listen closely.
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Give your colleagues your full attention during
meetings and casual interactions.
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Make eye contact and ask relevant questions.
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Show that you are interested in what they have to
say.
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2. Take breaks.
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Downtime prevents burnout and increases
productivity.
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Design a quiet space where employees can go to
relax and refresh.
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3. Care for yourself.
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Mindful leadership balances self-care and serving
others.
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Exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and make
sleep a priority.
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Healthy lifestyle habits will keep you strong and
resilient.
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4. Promote wellness.
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Consider starting a formal wellness program if
your company doesnt have one already.
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There are many ways to include mindfulness in
your plans, from posting meditation resources on
your website to observing a moment of silence
before each meeting.
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5. Encourage cooperation.
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An organizational culture steeped in mindfulness
facilitates collaboration and connection.
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Create a shared vision and work together towards
common goals.
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6. Reward innovation.
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Have the courage to think creatively.
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Keep employees informed and engaged so theyll
feel more comfortable discussing new ideas and
experimenting with change.
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7. Continue learning.
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Whatever stage youre at in your career, hold on
to a beginners mind.
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Spend time doing research and taking courses.
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Be open to different perspectives and
constructive feedback.
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8. Provide reminders.
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Daily business needs and frequent interruptions
can make it easy to lose track of mindfulness.
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Create triggers that will help bring you and your
team back into the present moment.
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You might hang posters in the break room and
program an hourly reminder on your phone.
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Looking Forward
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Help yourself and others to feel more connected
and fulfilled.
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Mindful leadership is a skill you can develop
through meditation and hands-on experience.
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