What Is Mindful Leadership?

I just spent the weekend in San Francisco at a conference for Mindful Leadership.  The concept of mindful leadership has emerged as a major trend in the leadership development world and it’s quickly gaining momentum.Over the last few months I’ve asked dozens of clients and colleagues if they know what “mindful leadership” is and nearly all of them said, “I’ve heard of it, but I don’t really know what it is.”  During my research on this topic I’ve found that there isn’t one uniform definition, but I like how Jon Kabat-Zinn’s, a long-time teacher and author on the practice of mindfulness, defines it:  “Mindful leadership is the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally.” Other ways to describe mindful leadership include “being present”, “fully aware”, “engaged” or “focused”.  No matter what language we use, the point is that a mindful leader is fully present and aware in every moment and is therefore able to have access to the data they need to lead more powerfully.I’m not surprised to see the mindful leadership movement gaining momentum given how our attention is stretched so thin by competing demands at work and home.  Numerous studies show that the American worker’s stress level is at an all-time high, while at the same time our overall mental and physical health is on the decline.  All the while, leaders are expected to produce innovative and far-reaching results.  Something has got to give, and right now it seems the first thing that is sacrificed is our  health and well-being.  When we have employees who are tired, stressed, and uninspired, we’re not going to produce creative answers to tough business solutions. Instead, our worn out workforce tends to create more conflict, rework and inefficiencies.During my afternoon breakout discussion at the conference, a group of business leaders and consultants talked about how to bring mindful leadership to the mainstream as a solution to this overarching cultural problem.  Even though we didn’t come up with “the” answer, we agreed on one thing:  a single leader, being fully present and mindful, makes a positive impact.  This certainly has been true for my clients.  When my clients hone their ability to tune in, listen to what their head, heart, and gut are saying to them, and notice the dynamics playing out in the room, their results improve and people are naturally drawn to them.  Across the board the results for my clients practicing mindfulness are the same.  They say, “I feel like I’m in the flow.  Like I’m working less hard, but getting more done.”  And, “I feel happier than I have in a long time.” Or, “Things that used to bother me just roll off of me now.”  These leaders become resilient, stronger, and innovative in unprecedented ways. Over the next several months I will share practices that help you build your mindfulness muscle.  Like any new skill you won’t be perfect at it right away, no one ever is, but over time I guarantee you too will experience flow and sense of groundedness that makes leading (and living) so much easier. Experiment:The practice of mindfulness is based on your ability to be present in the moment and one of the best ways to start being more present is by using the power of observation.  The next time you’re in a meeting, experiment with not multi-tasking and instead, like a scientist, observe as much as you can.  Notice your own reactions, the reactions of others and the direction of the conversation without judging it.  Truly listen and make eye contact with others and see what happens. Just simply notice as much as you can.  You may be surprised by the data you receive and how that will inform your direction as a leader.