Mindful management: this is the secret of successful relaxed leaders
Stress, a lot of work and a high level of responsibility: managers in particular suffer from this. If they are chronically stressed, this can spread to the entire team. Mindful management can help bring more relaxation back into everyday life and become more focused.
In Sillicon Valley, relaxation techniques have long been considered a useful tool. The aim is to better prepare your body and mind for the increasingly complex everyday job. “But mindful leadership is more than meditation – and brings benefits for the entire team,” says Siri Frericks, psychologist at 7Mind. Less pressure from superiors, a healthier company culture and clear communication are just a few of them.
Managers are particularly under pressure
Managers in particular quickly feel stressed: they are not only responsible for the success of the company, but also for the well-being of their employees. “That comes with a lot of questions and decisions,” says the expert. Managers in particular are often expected to be a kind of rock in the surf and to see clearly like a captain.
This role can therefore be associated with worries and pressure - especially in times when there are social crises and challenges such as the corona pandemic or the war in Ukraine and its effects.
Managers can also face their own personal and psychological challenges. “All of this can increase pressure and lead to fewer breaks and relaxation spaces and potentially chronic stress,” says Frericks.
Multitasking increases stress
In this context, managers often multitask, which increases the stress. Multitasking is sometimes seen as an important skill, says the psychologist. “But for the brain and psyche, it’s actually a state of constant distraction.”
Multitasking prevents you from concentrating and focusing on what is really important at that moment. “The effectiveness of leadership, leaders and their teams can suffer in the long term,” says Frericks.
Mindful management benefits everyone
Mindfulness can be a helpful practice here. “It not only supports a healthy approach to stress, but can also strengthen the focus of managers and thus their leadership,” says the psychologist. Mindful management can also contribute to more flexibility, foresight, regulation and creativity.
A Chinese-English study from 2020 also came to the conclusion that mindfulness among managers also has a positive impact on the well-being of employees. This is actually almost self-explanatory: if managers react more calmly, for example, this is also passed on to the team.
More balance and inner clarity
Mindful management is about directing your own attention in a certain way – “consciously, in the present moment and without automatically judging,” says the expert. “With a little practice, not only your own balance increases, but also your inner clarity.”
If managers succeed in incorporating these qualities into their communication in everyday working life, this could have a positive impact on the corporate culture, says Frericks. “This means that employees and processes can also benefit from this openness, acceptance and clarity.”
Find low-threshold access
However, sometimes it is not so easy to find the path to mindfulness. “Many people find mindfulness during challenging phases of life with the hope of improvement,” says the psychologist. “Others feel an intuitive interest and follow their own curiosity.”
In any case, it makes sense to choose an approach that suits you and your everyday life. “It's probably a question of type whether I would rather opt for a seminar, a retreat, a face-to-face course or an online training via app,” says the expert.
Lead by example
Sometimes it is also employees who have the feeling that superiors could benefit from mindful management and mindfulness. But urging them to do so doesn't help: on the one hand, employees may be exceeding their own competences, and on the other hand, mindfulness practice requires personal responsibility and commitment. Anyone who feels pressured to train and is reluctant to try it will hardly want to continue it individually.
“But if you want to give a positive impulse towards mindfulness, you have many options,” says Frericks. The best way to inspire others is to talk about your own experiences and how meditation has changed you personally. “If you share your own experiences with others, you can paint a new picture and, in the best case, trigger curiosity,” says the expert.
Linking mindfulness to habits
It is also helpful to invite others to a mindfulness practice. “This could be, for example, mindfulness meditation – via an app during the lunch break or at the start of a meeting,” says the psychologist. “For example, I start almost every meeting with a mindful minute. During this time, all participants can briefly close their eyes and enjoy the silence or briefly check in with themselves.”
Mindfulness is particularly effective when practiced regularly. Ideally, the training can be integrated into everyday life flexibly and with little effort. “Especially at the beginning, it is often helpful to tie the new habit to an existing one and, for example, always meditate after brushing your teeth or at the end of each lunch break,” says Frericks.
[via GQ Germany]