In today's rapidly changing world, leadership requires more than just strategic thinking and decision-making; it requires emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a keen understanding of oneself and others. Mindfulness has the ability to bring forth these very qualities.
Mindfulness is a practice that invites us to be fully present and engaged in the current moment, without distraction or judgment. Rooted in ancient Buddhist philosophy, it has transcended cultural boundaries to become a universal method for enhancing mental clarity, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. By cultivating awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, mindfulness encourages a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us. And with the adoption of mindfulness into western cultures, an adoption pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zinn through his creation of the "Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction" (MBSR) program in 1979, we have seen (and continue to see) its practices be included in modern leadership toolkits.
In his premier book, “Full Catastrophe Living”, Kabat-Zinn presents seven foundational attitudes of mindfulness. They are: Non-Judgment, Patience, Beginner’s Mind, Trust, Non-Striving, Acceptance, and Letting Go. Now imagine your leaders leading with these attitudes. Imagine yourself leading with these attitudes. Imagine your interactions at work, or at home, or with friends and family, or even with strangers, all being guided by these seven attitudes. What do you think the results would be like? Here’s a hint — statistics would say that the results would be positive for all.
Now that we have the introduction out of the way, let’s get in to each of the seven attitudes and how they can enhance leadership.
1. Non-Judging
The practice of non-judgment emphasizes the importance of observing experiences without attaching labels or taking judgments as reality. Here is a predominant truth, we all have minds that are constantly generating judgments about our reality. When we are not aware of these judgments, our world and interactions become painted by these biases. Without observing and questioning these thoughts, we can come to negate outside experiences and see our opinions as hard set truths.
When leaders are encouraged to bring a greater awareness to their thoughts and opinions, leaders can foster opportunities to see their biases and how those biases impact their realities. Mindfulness studies have shown to increase leaders' objective based decision making, thus promoting an environment where employees feel valued, seen, and heard. Leaders who engage in a non-judging attitude are also more likely to assess situations objectively, reducing biases, and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect.
Real World Example: At Google, the "Search Inside Yourself" program encourages employees to recognize and understand their biases. The program helps in fostering a culture of inclusion, promoting authentic communication, and creating a more cohesive working environment.
2. Patience
Patience is wisdom. It embodies the understanding that, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, things unfold in their own time. Yet, more often than not, our thoughts have a way of overwhelming our minds and clouding our patience. If you’ve ever had a person in a leader role lose their patience with you, or if you have ever lost your patience with someone (or some thing), then there is a likelihood that you know how detrimental it can be to the situation and/or relationship. You might receive words or actions that are out of line, or say or do things that you wish you didn’t. In any event, the loss of patience tends to leave an unfavorable mark.
When leaders intentionally practice patience, they help create a compassionate space where responses are not reactive, decisions are made thoughtfully, and outcomes are more sustainable. Studies on mindfulness have shown to increase leaders’ patience, which then has a positive influence on employee well-being and performance. Through applying the attitude of patience, leaders reassure their teams with confidence, poise, and calm, while also promoting healthier interactions, safer communications, and more thoughtful decision making.
Real World Example: At Aetna, the introduction of mindfulness practices led to improved decision-making by encouraging patience among leaders. Mindful leaders were found to make thoughtful decisions, contributing to a 7% reduction in healthcare costs for the company.
3. Beginner's Mind
When approaching something new, there is a natural inclination for our minds to show an open and fresh curiosity; unclouded by preconceptions, judgments, or expectations based on past experiences. And even if we meet new situations with apprehension or unease, there is still an openness that is of the nature of a beginner. This is the beginner’s mind.
When leaders embrace a beginner’s mind, they are bound to promote creativity and innovation by welcoming fresh perspectives and open opportunities. By bringing attention to their judgments, and actively applying a willingness to see situations freshly, leaders can foster the attitude of a beginner’s mind. This isn’t just hopeful wishing. Studies have suggested that mindfulness can foster a climate that reduces stress and enhances creativity — two key ingredients that are essential for innovative leadership.
Real World Example: Adobe's "Kickbox" innovation process embraces the principle of a beginner's mind by handing employees a "red box" containing tools to innovate without restrictions or preconceived notions, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and openness.
4. Trust
When it comes to leadership, trust is an attitude paramount to a team’s success. If you have ever worked under a leader that lacked trust, whether it was in you or your teammates, then you probably know how destructive a lack of trust can be to interconnected relations. When leaders lack trust, not only do they limit the abilities of their team, but they also undermine the confidence and support of the team.
The attitude of trust focuses on trusting oneself and one's intuition, as well as giving that same openness of trust to team members (or friends, partners, family members, etc). By welcoming a trusting attitude into their leadership, leaders are able to facilitate a sense of authenticity through drawing on their self trust and inner wisdom while inspiring others to do the same. Leaders can practice the attitude of trust by communicating openly, admitting mistakes, protecting confidentiality, and demonstrating self-confidence and authenticity to their team— all of which have the potential to strengthen the relations between team members.
Real World Example: The U.S. Army employed mindfulness training to enhance trust among team members. This program, called Mindfulness-Based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT), has shown to foster cohesion and trust within military units.
5. Non-Striving
Non-striving refers to an attitude of letting go of the need to actively pursue or change our present-moment experience. It doesn't mean that we become passive or disengaged. Rather, it is about accepting the present moment exactly as it is without trying to get somewhere else or achieve a particular state of mind.
When leaders embody the attitude of non-striving, they are often more responsive and adaptable, recognizing that not all situations require immediate action. Such an attitude can not only reduce stress, but it can also foster compassion and insight. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices can help in developing a more balanced and adaptive leadership style.
Real World Example: Intel's mindfulness program, "Awake@Intel," emphasized non-striving to allow employees to focus on the present moment without an obsession with end results. This resulted in higher levels of creativity, collaboration, and overall job satisfaction.
6. Acceptance
Acceptance is the acknowledgement of things as they are. If you’ve ever been in a situation where a leader lacks acceptance, it’s possible that you saw their leadership disappear. And if you’ve ever noticed your own lack of acceptance in a scenario (or scenarios), it is likely that your ability to lead clearly became muddied by the defiance of what is.
Leaders that practice acceptance can navigate change with grace and resilience, fostering a more accepting and adaptable work environment. Acceptance helps take one’s identity out of the equation, allowing leaders to approach issues more objectively, and with greater creativity. Acceptance also helps absorb the shock of setbacks, decreasing the likelihood of discouragement while increasing resilience. Through the practice of mindfulness, leaders have shown enhanced resilience among healthcare professionals, reflecting the wider applicability of acceptance in leadership.
Real World Example: Ford Motor Company's Executive Chairman, Bill Ford, has openly spoken about his practice of mindfulness and its role in his leadership. He credits mindfulness with helping him lead Ford through the 2008 financial crisis by cultivating acceptance and resilience.
7. Letting Go
I find that letting go is often a misunderstood attitude because it is also an expression of a physical action — to let go. For this reason, I find it helpful to reframe letting go as letting be. Letting go requires that we let be with what is; it involves releasing attachment to outcomes, experiences and thoughts. For us to accept a new moment, we must be willing to let go.
When it comes to the role of a leader, leaders can become more flexible and adaptable through the practice of letting go; focusing on the present and future instead of being tethered to the past. What does this do for the teams and relationships? By letting go, leaders can model flexibility and adaptation, two qualities that are key in navigating new challenges and ambiguities. Letting go also allows individuals to release past short comings and manage workloads, allowing for recovery and reducing stress and burnout. By implementing a practice of mindfulness, studies have shown enhancements in well-being and adaptability among leaders, supporting the importance of letting go.
Real World Example: General Mills implemented a mindfulness program emphasizing letting go. Leaders were trained to release attachment to past mistakes and focus on the present, resulting in improved decision-making and leadership effectiveness.
In a world that demands innovation, empathy, and adaptability, the integration of mindfulness into leadership practices offers a transformative pathway. The seven attitudes of mindfulness—Non-Judging, Patience, Beginner's Mind, Trust, Non-Striving, Acceptance, and Letting Go—serve as guiding principles for leaders, helping them foster an environment of creativity, inclusion, resilience, and authenticity. By embracing these attitudes, leaders can build stronger relationships, make more informed decisions, and navigate the complexities of our ever-changing world. The success of mindfulness in leadership, as evidenced by various organizations from Google to the U.S. Army, underscores its relevance and effectiveness. As we continue to explore the frontiers of human potential, mindfulness stands as a timeless practice, poised to shape the future of human-centered leadership.