The mind does not reside only in the brain, but in the whole body. (Francisco Varela)
Leaders are usually asked to be quick, to be able to react to challenges instantly and effectively, to be ready to embrace change.
What if the alternative to ‘quick determination’ was an approach that applies the principles of mindfulness?
Athletes are well aware that a good sports performance is the outcome of a perfect balance between thoughts, emotions and physical state. Why shouldn’t the same principle apply to a manager?
Mindfulness can be defined as the ability to stay focused on the present, with an open, FOCUSED mind and a compassionate approach to oneself and others.
What are the benefits?
Concentration on the present is the ability to focus one’s attention and thus one’s thoughts. Enhancing this skill therefore means being more effective and quicker.
Neuroscience has shown how the practice of mindfulness strengthens the brain’s grey matter, which is responsible for – among other things – the control of intellectual faculties, the capacity for learning, short- and long-term memory, language, and thinking.
And again, continuous practice modifies the neuronal ‘triggers’ that usually make us react to potential conflicts by using the prefrontal cortex and thus arousing hyperemotional and unconscious reactions: mindfulness helps us to defuse these automatic triggers by activating rational behaviour where emotions are activated with awareness and used to live the present moment to the fullest.
What can Paideia do for leaders?
We design tailor-made courses, where leadership training is integrated with mindfulness techniques, because we think of leaders who are able to overcome bias and make the best use of their potential to experience themselves and their role with awareness.
