Full transcript
Hello and welcome to LEAD — Leadership Enablement and Development, a new initiative from Nirvedha. This is the show for leaders, all about leadership and its impact. And on this episode: are you interested in strengthening your potential to lead? All of us have the innate ability to live and lead with excellence. We are going to help you with how to be a mindful leader, on this week's show, where you will learn five effective strategies to become a mindful leader. I am your host Sudhakar, a certified executive coach.
Several researchers have been studying leadership for many years and are often asked why we think it is essential. Our lives, our society and our planet have changed rapidly and unpredictably in recent years. If we are to find our way to a better world — a more stable environment, and societies in which all people have access to life's gifts — we need people who can see beyond today, spark hope instead of despair, and draw others into an intentional journey of transformation. Travel the road less taken: the path that requires vision and courage.
It is said that effective leaders are not born, they are made. Mindfulness can be considered one of the most important qualities that one needs in order to become an active leader. Without mindfulness you would miss out on many different things while working as a leader, and you will not be able to influence your followers. On the other hand, mindfulness can contribute towards your personal development as a leader as well.
Here are five strategies that you can follow to become a mindful leader.
The first strategy: mindful leaders find time to engage with introspective practice. To become a conscious leader you should seek the chance to take part in contemplative practice. It can awaken the mental mechanisms in you. Several methods are available for you to take part in reflective practice. Praying, journaling, jogging, hiking, taking long walks, meditating and doing yoga hold a prominent place out of them. In fact, you can take part in any activity which allows you to be at the centre.
The second strategy: mindful leaders always think about the present moment. If you want to become a conscious leader, you should still focus your attention towards the present moment. In other words, you should observe your life as it happens. This would not be an easy thing to do, and you will have to train your mind accordingly to get it done. If you can do it, you would not find yourself getting caught up in the emotions and thoughts when making decisions.
Strategy number three: mindful leaders acknowledge all their thoughts. Metacognition can be considered as one of the essential skills that you need to practise along with mindfulness. In simple terms, this is the ability you need to have to allow your judgements to roll. With the help of metacognition, you will be able to analyse every single moment with your mind's depth. Then you will be provided with the ability to take part in them.
Strategy number four: mindful leaders let their minds wander around. Allowing your mind to wander can also be considered as one of the most effective methods available for you to become an aware leader. However, you should only allow your mind to wander for a short period. In other words, your body will have to be anchored to the present while you let your mind wander. While your mind is wandering, you should never beat up yourself. You need to recognise where your mind is wandering, and you will then have to think about bringing it back in a gentle manner.
Strategy number five: mindful leaders create the bridge between the brain and the heart. Last but not least, you should think about connecting your head along with your heart to become a mindful leader. This would not be an easy thing to do. The distance from your mind to your heart is about eighteen inches, but you will have to take a long journey to achieve it. Therefore you will have to work hard at it.
To conclude, let me talk about a beautiful leader. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. Any one of these contributions would be, and should be, enough. Maathai's leadership inspires us not only with a list of her accomplishments, but with the example she set as a leader — with the clarity and compassion to effect change, and a voiced awareness that each of us has the innate ability to lead ourselves, and each other, into a brighter future.
A famous quote goes like this: in the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness. To reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.
Thank you all for tuning in.