Mindfulness tips for corporate leaders

A manager or a director or a CEO – these are just positions. Their true quality is leadership. As Srinivas sir says, I don’t want to call them managers, I want to call them leaders.

Managers/leaders are in a unique position inside the company to provide a safe haven for their employees. This is truer now than it has ever been. Managers/leaders can help establish employee trust by integrating routines that anticipate workers’ concerns and address or prevent some of their problems.

There are certain factors associated with employee concern about their mental health –

Personal life issues, relationship issues
Issues with their mental or physical health
or even workplace culture contributing to employee’s poor mental condition
But how do you know what is going on with them?

Regular Check-ins on a one-on-one basis.
Don’t just discuss work, finance, operations, or sales…. No!
Discuss the pressures of their jobs, their workload, any safety concerns, and even personal issues

How to transition from the mindset of being a typical manager to a true leader –

1. Never say – “Here’s your problem, go fix it.” Instead, try empathy and understand the struggle. Because your employee’s struggle is your struggle as well.
2. let the employee vent. Allow the employee time and space to process whatever feeling they’re experiencing. Don’t jump in and intervene immediately away if no one is in danger. It is the manager’s job to warn the employee that their behaviour is unacceptable if the employee says something unpleasant or threatening.
3. Pay attention to what the employee has to say. Show that you are curious!
4. Don’t try to “fix” the employee’s issue and be cautious about offering suggestions. Offering a quick fix can backfire by making the employee believe you don’t understand or, worse, that you don’t care.
5. Don’t use vague phrases like “It’ll all work out” or “I know you can do it.” These kinds of phrases can come across as condescending and out of touch. Shows that you don’t care. These small motivational punches are all backdated now.
6. If the outburst lasts longer than a few minutes – change location, offer a coffee break, resume after some time
7. Be careful and mindful of what is ongoing in your company. (Give Srinivas sir’s 60 years old)
   1. Employee arriving late or absent on a regular basis
   1. Extreme exhaustion, which could indicate sleep deprivation
   1. A considerable change in productivity
   1. Depressed or frustrated most of the time

In general, we must be mindful while eating, walking, reading, or even sleeping.