Do you think you’re a mindful leader? Have you had mindful leaders in your life? The difference between a mindful leader and one that is not mindful is palpable. The impact leaders have on those that follow them is massive!
Here are some adjectives in business and psychology literature that describe mindful leaders: self-aware, other-aware, conscientious, compassionate, collaborative, clear, conscious, humble, confident, intuitive, non-defensive, possesses integrity, strong, balanced, innovative, inspiring, on the cutting edge, and authentic.
The truly great leaders who elicit loyalty and teamwork stand apart. They are not afraid to be themselves or trust themselves. When they make mistakes, they own it. They listen to others’ ideas, even if they don’t agree with them. They surround themselves with smart, capable people. They are not intimidated by them.
Leadership comes to people formally and informally. You don’t have to be recognized as a leader by others or have leadership in your title to be a good leader. Leaders show up in all kinds of ways and settings: communities, families, on sports teams, in the workplace, and beyond. In fact, each person is the leader of their own lives.
Are you showing up as the leader of your own life? Do you embody some of the characteristics of a mindful leader? What behaviors are no longer serving you now and what qualities would you like to emulate and embody more?
When people consider the word discipline and what it means, they often have a sense of dread. Many people associate this with arduousness and suffering. While discipline does require focus and delayed gratification, the results can change your life. You do have to get out of your comfort zone and sacrifice sometimes, but it’s worth it when you reach your goals.
How do you relate to discipline? Do you consider yourself a disciplined person? What feedback would your friends and family offer? When you set goals, do you trust yourself to follow through and stay on track?Some strategies that can help with discipline if really want to achieve your goals include:
– Remember your “why.” Keep the endgame in mind. How do you want to feel? What do you want to experience?
– Who are you doing this for? Is it for yourself or others? If you’re doing something that others think you should do but you’re not personally invested, it likely won’t stick.
– Manage your stress. If you are in an acutely stressful period like a divorce or job loss, it’s much harder to practice discipline. Address your mental and emotional needs first before setting goals.
– Get support. Are there people who have achieved these goals already? What did they do? What worked? How did they navigate setbacks? Trust that people want to help and see you succeed.
One caveat about discipline is that any strength overdone becomes a liability. Rigidity around goals can cause suffering for you and those around you. Only you can determine this. Check in with yourself to see if the discipline you’ve chosen to implement is uplifting you or not.