We thought we would have a little fun with this one and include tips from some of our absolute favorite books. That way not only are you getting some kick-ass highlights, but you can add some good reads to your summer reading list! Don’t forget to comment and share with others who are looking to develop their Mindful Leadership skills!
So without further ado, here they are…
Lesson #1: Take 100% Responsibility for your Life
In his book, The Success Principles, Jack Canfield walks the reader through some very insightful life lessons, in which his top lesson is also our Lesson #1. As Jack states, “There is only 1 person responsible for the quality of the life you live, and that person is you.” Everything you experience today is a result of your past choices. It’s time to let go of blaming and complaining and choose to live the life you want to live instead!
Lesson #2: Know your “why”
Yanik Silver is well known for his work with social impact businesses. In truly believe that in order to create our unique impact and become mindful leaders, we must know our why. As Yanik shares, “Finding your why is the core nucleus and drive for what you’re doing. If you’re answer is to get rich, I’d argue that’s not enough.” Being a mindful leader involves impacting others. Yanik further states, “What actually is best for the whole is best for you – over deliver as much as you can…”
Lesson #3: Your feelings are the fuel
As Rhonda Byrne explains in her book, The Power, “Imagine your thoughts and words are being like a rocket ship, and your feelings are the fuel. A rocket ship is a stationary vehicle that cant do anything without fuel, because the fuel is the power that lifts the rocket ship. Same with your thoughts and words. Thoughts and words are vehicles that cant do anything without your feelings, because your feelings are the power of your thoughts and words!” Think about this for a moment. How you feel about each subject in your life is an exact reflection of what you have been giving out to each subject. So if you are “unhappy with work”, work will only tend to get worse for you. If you are “happy in your marriage”, your marriage will continue to grow and thrive! Be mindful of your emotions and stick to the positive ones!
Lesson #4: Seek first to understand, then to be understood
Society has done a great job of highlighting the importance of communication – verbal, written, spoken. However, we have forgotten an essential piece to becoming a true Mindful Leader – the art of listening. As Stephen Covey shares in his powerful book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “Empathic listening is so powerful because it gives you accurate data to work with. Instead of projecting your own autobiography and assuming thoughts, feelings and motives and interpretation, you’re dealing with the reality inside another person’s head and heart. You’re listening to understand. You’re focused on receiving the deep communication of another human soul.” You will have much success in leadership when those you lead feel valued, understood and supported. Take the time to listen.
Lesson #5: Give authentic praise
How is it that we still live in a world where managers criticize their teams, thinking this will motivate action? Guess what: this doesn’t work anymore! Take it from Dale Carnegie, the master of self-improvement and author of, How to Win Friends & Influence People: “Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be hearty in your approvation and lavish in your praise….If you and I will inspire the people with whom we come in contact to a realization of the hidden treasure they possess, we can do far more than change people. We can literally transform them.” I’d like to add, we can transform the WORLD too 😉
So there you have it ladies! Our top 5 lessons on Mindful Leadership. We hope you learned a thing or two, and can commit to making some positive improvements to your current leadership style.
Share your thoughts, questions, and any other ideas that can help us all on this legacy building journey we are on! 🙂