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LEADERSHIP IS A STATE OF MIND: HOW DO YOU MIND YOUR STATE?

April 14th, 2011

I believe leadership is a state of mind. If you believe leadership requires authenticity, then you behave in ways that are true to your core values or beliefs. If you believe leadership requires love, you behave in ways that honor, value, and uphold the other. If you believe leadership is the ultimate pinnacle of power, you behave in ways that oppress.

Once during a leadership workshop, I asked participants to “look inside” and reflect on whether they projected darkness or light. One participant asked “Why should I do that?” He went on to say he was concerned that he might look and find nothing! My response went something like this: “We are what we believe. The difference between the poor, the good, and the truly great leader is the extent to which someone is willing to look inside.We spend a great deal of time looking outward, but not much reflecting on who we are; which is an act of courage.”

Mindful leaders look inside. Some do it by meditating, others by journaling, and some by taking time each day for reflection. The method is not as important as developing the capacity to truly be self-aware, to know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for, and to understand the difference you want to make in the world.

Take the mindful leader challenge. Start small if you haven’t perfected the art of reflection. Take time each day to:

1. Capture learning and insights. Three basic questions are all that’s needed: What went well? What didn’t? What lesson should I take forward? Those who stop to capture learning and insights are more grounded, more effective, and less reactive.

2. Pause: Stop, breath, relax, let go, be still. Close the office door and take 5-10 minutes; take a walk and sit silently on a bench, or take some time before or after the workday. Those who have the capacity to let go are more mindful, less stressed, and more compassionate.

3. Be grateful: Stop to capture the good. Notice all the things for which you are grateful. The more you do it, the longer the list becomes. Those who reflect on those things for which they are grateful are more satisfied, have a better relationship with work and the world, are more optimistic, and resilient.

4. Be intentional. Start each day with one question. What one thing will I do today to truly make a difference at home, at work, in the world? The tasks are often small; the difference can be enormous.

The world will be better for your efforts. Go ahead, look in side. You’ll find a different you, a more intentional leader, and a noble soul giving of your time, energy and passion to make a difference.