Most people in leadership positions aim to guide teams to success, be a positive role model for peers, and work ethically. But at times, self-interest impedes on thoughtful leadership. As businessman and Harvard Business School professor, Bill George so aptly put it, “You know you’re in trouble when you start to judge your self-worth by your net worth.”
This point is not to say that as a leader, you shouldn't consider yourself in the equation of your decisions. You need to be conscious of how you fit into that equation, as well as how it adds up for you and your team. To help you do so, we explored how you can use mindfulness strategies to become a better leader. From defining what success looks like to exploring the greyer areas of decision making, we're here to help you take the reigns with confidence.
Understand the Pretense of Your Position
Unfortunately, horrible bosses have given a bad name to leadership positions everywhere. In a survey conducted by psychologist Michelle McQuaid, the author of Five Reasons to Tell Your Boss To Go F**k Themselves, a staggering 65% of Americans say getting rid of their bosses would make them happier than a salary increase.
The vast majority of Americans are unhappy in the workplace, and many believe their bosses are to blame. Case in point: 70% of the respondents in McQuaid's survey said they would be happier, and 55% say they would be more successful if they got along better with their supervisor. Further, those who disliked their bosses took an average of 15 more sick days per year than their leader-loving counterparts.
While people's assumptions about you may be frustrating, being mindful of those preconceived notions is helpful. Use it productively by asking your team members what they're looking for in a leader, and schedule regular meetings (we suggest quarterly) to receive feedback about your performance.
Realize When Just-This-Once Moments are Becoming Regularities
What are "Just-This-Once" moments? They're times when you make a decision that goes against your better judgment, often due to self-interest, convenience, or peer pressure (yes, peer pressure is alive and well in the workplace). Making moral exceptions can become a slippery slope. It's kind of like an ethics-version of Lay's Potato Chips slogan, "I bet you can't [make] just one."
Take time to reflect at the end of your day. Jot down good ideas, anything you learned, what you did well, what you could improve, your personal and organizational goals, and of course, any moral exceptions you made during your workday that are making you feel uneasy.
If you start to notice these dubious situations stacking up, consider how it’s affecting your team, your customers, and of course, you. Don’t immediately pass judgment, but rather, ask yourself why you're making these decisions. Next, try to determine how they’re making you feel.
If you’re anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop, these decisions probably aren’t aligning with your moral compass. For a clearer view of which direction you’re looking to head, consider the next section careful.
Define What Success Is To You
If money is your only motivator, know that its ability to improve levels of happiness plateaus quickly. According to a 2018 study published in Nature Human Behavior, $60,000 to $75,000 a year is optimal for emotional wellbeing. In fact, those who make over $95,000 a year often experience unhealthy social comparisons, unfulfilling material pursuits, and lower life evaluations.
Success is supposed to make you happier and quench your thirst for progress. However, because money—at least past a certain point—has few (if any) positive impacts on your well-being, you need to define what will bring you a sense of fulfillment. We encourage people to consider the impact they're having on others (both positive and negative), their work-life balance, and if they're seizing the opportunities to donate and volunteer.
Check-in with Your Emotions
Determine if the pressures of leadership are impeding your ability to react appropriately to stressful situations. Simple mindfulness strategies can significantly boost your emotional intelligence (EI). Without tucking yourself away in some corner of the office and unraveling a yoga mat to meditate (not that this is a bad approach; it's just not convenient for many workers), we recommend implementing four, quick mindfulness exercises that help you improve your leadership skills:
Stay Present: Perhaps the best place to start is by unplugging at lunch. Instead of answering emails, checking social media, and texting, focus on the taste of your food, participate in conversations with your coworkers, and take stock of your emotions.
Think Before You Speak: Avoid miscommunications by pausing before you speak. A couple of seconds can save your hours of stress later. Before you speak, do a quick check: Could what I'm about to say be misconstrued, could it hurt someone's feelings, does it accurately communicate what I'm trying to say?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Great leaders still have mentors, are always willing to learn something new, and aren’t afraid to ask for guidance. Asking for help can also show your team a vulnerable side to yourself, that will make you more relatable and approachable in times of need.
Listen to Your Coworkers: As a leader, you should listen more than you speak. However, great leaders analyze more than verbal cues; they also pay attention to body language and demeanor. If you sense coworkers struggling, ask them how they're doing and if there is anything you can do to help. Conversely, don't pressure them to open up if they don't want to. Either way, they'll appreciate your concern.
Be a Better Leader
By being mindful of your position, checking your moral compass, painting a clear picture of success, and understanding your emotions, you'll be a better leader for your team, the organization as a whole, and for yourself. If you're looking to become a stronger leader, reach out to Mindfulness Strategies today to learn about our individualized curriculum and how we're helping businesses integrate mindfulness programs into the workday.