Mindfulness - a key to Leadership Development
Mindfulness is "being present". It is the process of what is happening within us and around us moment by moment. In essence, it is a "Mind Management" process - centering ourselves, allowing our mind to filter out the clutters and becoming more focus.
This is a leadership skill that must be mastered over time. You may wonder how would you know that you have mastered such fine art. One obvious telltale is to find that people follow you as a leader because of who you are and what you represent. It is a powerful position to be in - and such wisdom has already been told by Lao Zhi over 5000+ years ago:
To know the others is intelligence;
To know yourself is true wisdom;
To master the others is strength;
To master yourself is true power.
The concept of “emotional intelligence” was first introduced and articulated towards the end of 20th century. EQ became the buzz word for talent and leadership development. However, in 21st century, EQ is just the entry level of leadership development. We are now looking further into the individual leader’s “cultural intelligence” and “spiritual intelligence”. Ultimately, the world starts with “I” and “my perceptions” and then “how I relate to the others”. In the end, it becomes “One” and the “Oneness”.
In the corporate world, the “Oneness” is all about the team – my team, your team and our team etc. In other words, it is a simple math – that when each team member knows himself or herself well and able to master himself or herself, you have a powerful and high performing team.
Mindfulness is a useful tool and good starting point for you to get to know yourself and to master yourself. As you make it a part of your life journey, you will begin to identify and embrace each present moment of enjoyment (whether you are in a crowd or alone).
Another simple mathematic formula – when you are enjoying every present moment, you are creating and fulfilling a life journey that is filled with content, gratitude and happiness.
Contributor: Stephanie Luo
