The mindful leader advantage

The mindful leader advantage

Organisations worldwide are seeing the advantages of bringing mindfulness into the workplace, particularly when led from the top. High-performing political, sports and business leaders are taking up the practice in droves, and the benefits are convincing.

For more and more leaders, mindfulness is a practical skill they can use to effectively navigate challenges in an increasingly fast-paced and complex world, where professional environments and stakeholder needs can swiftly change. And the word is spreading, with many leaders seeking out better tools and techniques to bring more mindfulness into their working life.

New Zealand-based professional workplace mindfulness consultant and leader coach, Kerene Strochnetter, says she has seen first-hand the value of bringing mindfulness into the workplace.

“In terms of positive, practical outcomes, you can see how mindfulness practices offer benefits across the board for professional organisations and industry.

“When leaders bring mindful practice into their places of work, it has positive outcomes for everyone, from employees to clients to tax payers and other stakeholders. I continually see it transform people, how they work, and what they achieve.”

Major mainstream institutions such as banks, government departments, insurance companies and manufacturers are putting mindfulness programmes in place for both senior leaders and staff, aiming to build resilience, improve decision-making and encourage flexible thinking.

These initiatives are backed up by a growing raft of scientific research, which offers compelling evidence about the range of mental and physical health benefits brought about by increased mindfulness. Participants report benefits such as reduced stress and more ability to remain calm and engaged during challenging situations.

The mindfulness movement is broadening globally, with the United Kingdom political scene being one example where the practice is taking hold. Leading British MP Chris Ruane has long-time personal and professional experience of the rewards that mindfulness can bring to notoriously high-stressed, fast-paced environments like politics and government organisations.
He’s a big believer in the practical power of mindfulness, and spreads the word far and wide about the benefits, especially for those in leadership positions.

As he told The Guardian in October last year, mindfulness helps him make better decisions: “If you make decisions from a position of balance and equilibrium, it is far better, not just for personal but political decisions that affect a whole nation.

“In times when you have political leaders who may not be making political decisions from a position of balance, it doesn’t do them, their country or the world much good.”

In March 2018, Mr Ruane joins an impressive line-up of business leaders and mindfulness experts from around the world speaking at New Zealand’s inaugural Mindful Leaders conference in Wellington.

Other speakers at the two-day forum include Dr Craig Hassed from Monash University, Heather Kean from Goodman Fielder NZ, and Mike Bennetts, CEO at Z Energy.

Conference organiser Andrew Morrison, a Wellington-based mindfulness coach and trainer, says the event offers a unique opportunity for New Zealand leaders and professionals to gain access to networks, tools and techniques specifically aimed at furthering mindful business practice.

“Evidence shows us that when mindfulness is present, people are more engaged, more resilient, and less reactive.
“It also helps people maintain perspective and be resourceful in environments where the need and priorities are rapidly changing.

“There’s no doubt that mindfulness is a skill a leader should want to develop, and something that has many benefits both professionally and personally. The Mindful Leaders conference is aimed at promoting exactly those benefits and developing those skills.”

Mindfulness also reflects a growing desire in New Zealand business and government sector circles to – in the words of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – “bring kindness back” through a more empathic style of government that transcends political divides.

This means seeking greater collaboration and more sustainable solutions to complex problems such as climate change, the housing crisis, and child poverty.

Given the increasingly global nature of the issues and challenges facing countries like New Zealand, exploring more enlightened options such as mindfulness to help leaders operate at their best seems the right way to go.

For more information about the Mindful Leaders conference or to register visit: www.mindfulleaders2018.co.nz
References
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/13/politicians-meditate-commons-mindfulness-event
http://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org.uk/

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