Maria Gonzalez Blog
Mindful Leadership

Self Leadership Is the Key to Mindful Leadership

Since the fall of 2008 we have seen trillions of dollars disappear from the global economy, causing a global restructuring.  Indeed, no economy in the world has been spared, nor has any organization or institution.  Never in recent history have we had so much and lost so much.  This is resulting in new realities for and new expectations from the global population.

At the same time many have experienced disappointment in their leaders, whether they are business leaders, government leaders, celebrities or top athletes.  Never have the highs and lows been so great.  It seems as if the demands of this new world order are beyond the present ability (experience) of most (many) who occupy leadership positions.

The new reality requires all leaders to have an unprecedented presence of mind as a starting point from which to lead.  These circumstances require adaptability, a moment by moment adjustment to the new realities.

At times like these anyone in a leadership position is scrutinized and put under a microscope.  The strict definition of a leader as someone who heads up an organization or a nation is no longer reflective of reality.  A leader is anyone who is in a position to influence another person.  This may be a CEO, the leader of a nation, the head of a professional services firm, a department head in a university or a hospital, a call center manager, a sports coach, a team captain, an athlete, or any celebrity who has the potential to influence others.  Leadership is much less a role than an activity – the activity of leadership.

And in order to be an effective leader of others, you must first start with self leadership.  Self leadership is about being mindful.  By being mindful we can transform our lives and we can transform our organizations, communities, nations, and indeed our world.  The first step to transforming our world is to transform ourselves.  Ultimately, it will be Mindful leadership that will help us navigate through such unfamiliar waters.

And here is some ageless wisdom on the subject from the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu  604BC-531BC:

Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.