Mindful Actions

2009-03-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

In our role as leaders, and in our personal lives, I believe we need to examine the link between mindfulness and action. In other words, when I possess a certain wisdom about leadership and how I influence others, how do I insure that my behaviors will actually reflect that personal understanding?

You may have had a similar experience, but there are times when I realize that my true values, passion and beliefs don’t work their way out into my actions. And even more importantly, if they do, it can be hit and miss.

So, the question, in part, becomes how to insure that my inner wisdom becomes a “style” of life – not just an idealistic dream! And what gets in the way of actualizing this inner potential?

Part of the answer centers on our level of conscious awareness of our being – our thoughts, feeling and actions – and how those emanate from deeply held values. For many of us, the need to spend time developing these on paper becomes an invaluable exercise. And then, we need to practice, on a moment by moment basis, what we have learned and what we want to express to others.

For others, the challenge involves overcoming inner conflicts that keep us from being our best. Lack of confidence, for example, can inhibit our desire to reach out and support, confront or even interact with others.

And many people hold onto limiting beliefs about themselves and others that can keep their hidden talent and spirit in check. Believing, for example, that I am “powerless” to effect change, certainly limits my efforts toward leading positive change efforts.

Finally, for some the challenge is developing a skill set that carries deeply held values into tangible behaviors. The need here is for competencies that can be learned and thoughtfully implemented.

Perhaps the best starting place in examining this in your life would be to imagine your “ideal” self as a leader – the kind of person that, if everyone were to experience you this way, would actually reflect your deeply held beliefs about yourself, people and the positive influence you want to have in their lives. Then, simply examine the consistent behaviors in your life that would accurately depict this in all your interactions with others.

Any exercise that raises your awareness of the “real you” inside – the kind of person and leader you are and want to be – expands your level of mindfulness and the gifts you have to give others! The actions that carry these inner traits into real interactions become your next, best challenge.

A "Mindful" Mindset

2009-02-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

I believe that when I'm at my best, I operate out of a conscious and deliberate mindset about how I influence people and business culture. In other words, good leaders "know themselves" and are intentional in their actions and interactions with others.

Although this may sound extreme, for me it comes down to being "intentional" about each and every conversation and interaction with others - being mindful about what I am trying to accomplish in the relationship or communication with that person or group. I am at my best when I focus on these key outcomes - asking myself what kind of result do I want with this person/group and what kind of relationship am I trying to carve out.

My assumption is that the best relationships I have come as a result of this "mindful" effort - as a leader and person, my best effort comes from being deliberate - trying to create positive relationships with others and move them in good ways by what I say and how I say it!

This means I have to be not only mindful in my efforts to influence others, but contemplative about each relationship and the choices I make about how I talk and communicate with each person. Ultimately, this allows me to also be mindful of my passion and values and what defines me as a person - when I'm at my best - and when I'm at my best as a leader!

Building a Community of Mindful Leaders

Mindful Actions

A "Mindful" Mindset