leadership coaching

[fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

Mindful Communication for Business Leaders

[/fusion_text][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” style_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””] [/imageframe][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Mindfulness is an art. Mindfulness is an orientation – a way of life – and communication is one of the primary ways we can demonstrate mindfulness.

Communication encompasses more than just the words we speak. It includes our actions, the impressions others perceive while interacting with us, the impact of our written messages, and our body language. Communication is everything that is transmitted from us to others, and it includes both those things we consciously intend to communicate and those things others hear, see, and feel from us (even things we do not intend). Mindful communication is the result of being aware of those messages we send and those that others receive, and creating an environment where open, honest communication can occur. It is pure communication that minimizes misunderstanding and maximizes understanding.

The following actions of mindful communication can help you continue to develop into a mindful communicator in all areas of your life, including your role as a business leader.

Relax

Stress inhibits good communication, and when stress is conveyed by a leader, everyone else perceives it and internalizes it, as well. Prior to any communication in any setting, take an appropriate amount of time to relax – consciously and actively. Take a deep breath through your nose; hold it for a few seconds; let it out slowly. If possible, close your eyes while you do this. If you have a few minutes, read something that will make you laugh, then refocus calmly on the upcoming discussion. How you feel will impact how others feel, so feel good before you begin to communicate.

Prepare

Know what you want to communicate (the overall message, not necessarily the exact words). With the exception of delivering speeches in front of a group, don’t rely on memorized messages; rather, plan the general flow of the conversation and how you want to manage it, but be open to changes that bring deeper, more comprehensive insight and input from others.

Smile

This is advised so often that it tends to be ignored. Even if the topic of conversation is a serious issue, a smile at the beginning of the discussion is critical, to set a tone that will encourage mindful communication. The conversation can be serious and smiles can be scarce during the discussion, but starting with a smile invites others to the conversation.

Listen First

There are rare instances when you will need to give directives right from the start, but those instances truly are rare for those who are mindful leaders. Truly imminent crises are rare; in all other cases, listen first. Introduce the topic, then solicit input.

Understand before You Respond

Listen to understand. Listen until you understand. Restate what is said. Ask for clarification, even when you think you do understand. Your primary responsibility is to understand first. Only after you understand should you seek to be understood.

Share Your Opinion Last

Form your own opinion only after you have heard from others. Give serious consideration to their input, even if you have to pause during a meeting, and reflect on their opinions for a period of time. Never share your opinion first. More than anything else, that will inhibit honest input and limit the possible insights everyone will receive.

Respect Time

Honor people’s time. Start and end meetings on time.

Remember: At the most basic level, people want to be shown they are respected, appreciated, and loved, but they also want to feel respected, appreciated, and loved. How you communicate is more important than simply what you communicate, since anyone can say anything and be completely insincere. You have to mean what you say, and you have to say it in a way that others feel what you mean.

If you are truly mindful of others, others will be more mindful of you and of themselves, and that expanding mindfulness will improve not only how people feel about each other and their jobs, but also how they perform their jobs.[/fusion_text][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][/fullwidth]

The Art and Science of Being a Mindful Business Leader

[/fusion_text][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][imageframe lightbox=”no” style_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”none” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””] [/imageframe][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][one_sixth last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][two_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Being mindful, and communicating in a mindful manner, is an art.

Artistry takes dedicated practice. It takes listening and fine-tuning. It takes trial and error. And in the end, your efforts produce works of art – beautiful, unique, individualistic, breathtaking art.

What artists create is undeniably their own, but, to be fully appreciated, art must have an audience. Art that is most powerful is impactful. People walk away from exceptional art inspired in some way. Mindful communication is no different. When done well, it inspires replication by others. The end result of true mindfulness is not confined to you; it spreads to those around you and creates a united, mindful community.

Of course, there are scientific and psychological elements of mindfulness, as well, but, at its heart, being mindful is a state of awareness and benevolent action that is based on observation, impression, instinct, and communication. It is more than just being generally aware. Being mindful is being aware of the subtleties of human sensations and interactions. Mindful communication is an integral aspect of comprehensive mindfulness – the most obvious, fundamental way you convey your awareness of and concern for others.

As a business leader, there can be many things that distract from being mindful. Sales and revenue goals, hiring and firing decisions, rules and regulations, interpersonal conflicts, training requirements: these components of business can overwhelm leaders and cause them to forget about being aware of, and serving others, as distinct individuals. Personal lives can also contribute to a loss of mindfulness.

How can you be a mindful business leader, and why is it important that you do so?

The most successful and appreciated leaders, however, are those who can manage necessary tasks without losing sight of and caring for people: themselves, their families, their colleagues, their employees, their clients, their prospects, their communities, and everyone else with whom they interact.

At the most basic level, people need to feel loved and appreciated. This is universal. If you want happy, satisfied, loyal, long-term employees, the most important thing you can do is to be mindful of them – and to make sure they know that you are.

So, how can you be mindful of the people in your company, and how can you communicate in a mindful manner with them? The following suggestions are broad, because people are different, but working within these general guidelines is a great start toward becoming a truly mindful person and communicating in a mindful manner:

Become a mindful person, not just a mindful business leader.

Mindful business leaders are mindful people. You can’t be a mindful business leader and lack mindfulness in the other areas of your life. Don’t segment or silo your work persona from your non-work personality. Be consistently mindful in all areas of your life.

Remember: People are more than their jobs.

Know your employees as people first and employees second. If you lose sight of their individual humanity, they will become numbers or cogs in a system, and they will feel that emotional disconnect when you communicate. They will know you are aware of, but not mindful of, them.

Communicate with people.

Communication is a two-way street. Mindful communication requires talking with people – not merely at them – and listening first to understand, not to respond. It is a process of soliciting input and valuing that input enough to consider it carefully and consciously. It involves getting to know how and why people think and see and feel, not just what they think.

Understand and respect differences.

Differences make up the uniquely blended colors on the canvases of our lives. It is impossible to be fully mindful of others without understanding and respecting the things that make them unique. Consciously focus on creating a diverse employee base in as many ways as possible in your location.

Remember, however, that being mindful is not a result of completing a checklist or memorizing key words or phrases. Being mindful is not so much a process of just doing as it is a process of feeling and becoming. It is an art.

Your business can be a manifestation of your vision for the world around you. You might not be able to change the entire world, but you can change your own world. You can make your own amazing art and become a Master Mindful Artist along the way.[/fusion_text][/two_third][one_sixth last=”yes” spacing=”yes” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” class=”” id=””][/one_sixth][/fullwidth]

Mindful Communication for Business Leaders

Mindful Communication for Business Leaders

The Art and Science of Being a Mindful Business Leader

The Art and Science of Being a Mindful Business Leader

Contact

Visit