mindfulness & leadership excellence...leadership quality meditation – consider someone you...

MINDFULNESSfor LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCEFacilitated By Heather Stang, MAMaryland Healthcare Education InstituteMay 3, 2018

Let’s Get

FOCUSEDBreathing In, I Know That I Am Breathing In.

Breathing Out, I Know That I Am Breathing Out.

“Majority Of Americans Would Rather Fire their Boss Than Get A Raise”

• 65% say firing boss would make them happier than getting a raise

• 70% say they would be happier if they got along with their supervisor

• 73% of people in their 20s/30s feel a bad supervisor negatively impacts their health; 40% of people 50 and older feel this way.

• 60% say they would do a better job if they got along better with their supervisor

• 31% of employees feel uninspired & unappreciated

• 15% feel miserable, bored & lonely

• $360 billion/year lost productivity due to employee/supervisor conflict

FORBES: October 17, 2012 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/10/17/majority-of-americans-would-rather-fire-their-boss-than-get-a-raise/#5dc11fe36610)2012

Why Do You Want

to be a Mindful Leader?

• Improve Mental Focus

• Increase Attention Span

• Increase Clarity

• Make Wise Decisions

• Be More Organized

• Be More Productive

• Positive Impact on Team

• Decrease Time Poverty

• Feel A Sense of Purpose

• Reduce Physical Tension

• Calm Anxiety

• Get More Sleep

• Decrease Fatigue

• Boost Immune System

• Be Less Reactive

• Feel Connected to Others

• Savor Life

• THRIVE!

“A mindful leader embodies

leadership presence by

cultivating focus, clarity,

creativity & compassion in

the service of others.”

Janice MarturanoFinding the Space to Lead

8 Pillars of HappinessIn The Workplace• Balance• Concentration• Compassion• Resilience• Communication & Connection• Integrity• Meaning• Open Awareness

The MSc Health Care Leadership Programme• Leadership in Organizations• Positive Conflict Resolution• Leading Change• Ensuring Quality• Alternative perspectives on Leadership• Leading in a Chaotic World

Christopher JohnsMindful Leadership: A Guide for the Health Care Professions

Servant Leadership

“Servant leadership offers a radically different perspective whereby the leader is servant-first in contrast with leader-first. The role of leadership is literally to service those who deliver the service. Imagine how that type of leadership would shift the nature of relationships within the organisation.”

Christopher JohnsMindful Leadership: A Guide for the Health Care Professions

Mind Full or Mindful?

MINDLESSNESS

Definition of Mindfulness

“The awareness that emerges through paying

attention on purpose, in the present moment,

and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of

experience moment to moment.”Jon Kabat-Zinn (2003)

Two Wings Of“Radical Acceptance”

• The wing of clear seeing: the quality of awareness

that recognizes exactly what is happening in our

moment to moment experience.

• The wing of compassion: our capacity to relate in a

tender and sympathetic way to what we perceive.

Tara Brach (2003)

3 Fundamental Componentsof Mindfulness

• Intention – clear reason for practice

• Attention – direct observation of each moment

• Attitude – open-hearted compassion

Shapiro and Carlson (2009)

Meditation* Mindfulness

EATING

MINDFULMEDITATION

MANTRA

6 SENSES

More Than Meditation

WALKING

INQUIRY

PRAYER

VISUALIZATION

*Mindfulness is always an option!

SPEECH

TASK

RELAXATION

Cultivating Resilience Through Mindful Caregiving: The Continuing Legacy Of Zen Hospice Project (Danielle Pierotti, PhD, RN, CENP, CHPN; Roy Remer, 2017)

“The ability to maintain presence and open awareness in

the midst of stress and human suffering is an invaluable

tool. Mindfulness has the potential to focus the mind,

relax the body, and open the heart, supporting

caregivers to minimize errors, improve assessment skills,

increase their general sense of well-being, and connect

deeply with patients, families, and colleagues.”

Awareness

BREAKTake A Few Full Breaths.What’s Happening Now?

Focusing Roadblocks

• Continuous Partial Attention (Linda Stone, 1998)

• E-mail Apnea (Linda Stone, 2007)

• Smartphones checked 85 – 150 times each day (various)

• Interruption Brain Drain: Average worker gets 11 minutes uninterrupted. It takes 25 minutes to recover. (Gloria Mark, University of California, Irvine).

• More To Do In Less Time• Sleep Deprivation• Socially Accepted Distraction

Focusing Benefits

• Decreases Predisposition to Stress-Related Illness (Benson, 2010)

• Improves Executive Attention (Chan & Woollacott, 2007)

• Induces the Relaxation Response (Benson, 1974)

Relaxation Response Benefits

• Angina pectoris• Cardiac arrhythmias• Allergic skin reactions• Anxiety• Mild & moderate depression• Bronchial asthma• Herpes simplex• Cough• Constipation• Diabetes mellitus• Duodenal ulcers• Dizziness• Fatigue

• Hypertension• Unexplained infertility• Insomnia• Nausea & vomiting during

pregnancy• Nervousness• Pain (backaches, headaches,

muscle pain, joint pain and more)• Postoperative swelling• Premenstrual syndrome• Rheumatoid arthritis• Side effects of cancer• Side effects of AIDS

Relaxation Response

Revolution

“When the mind is focused, whether through meditation or other repetitive mental activities, the body responds with a dramatic decrease in heart rate, blood pressure (if elevated to begin with), and metabolic rate – the exact opposite of fight-or-flight response.”

Benson (1975)

“…I was surprised as many of my colleagues when we found that the relaxation response could alter gene activity – the way that genes express themselves and thus influence the body.”

Benson (2010)

“My Mantra” Meditation

1. Consciously relax what you can2. Pair your mantra with your exhale3. Repeat your mantra each time you breathe4. Start again each time you forget (“Oh Well”)

Additional Focusing Practices

• Counting• Transcendental Meditation / Mantra• Breath Meditation• Tratak• Sound Meditation• Mindful Eating• Just This Task

1 st FoundationOf Mindfulness

BodyBreath Awareness

Body Scan

Sensory Awareness

Yoga / Yoga Therapy

2nd FoundationOf Mindfulness

FeelingsThree Feeling Tones

Awareness of “Add-Ons”

Meditative Inquiry

3rd FoundationOf Mindfulness

MindLens of Perception

Preference & Prejudice

Non-identification

The Negativity BiasOur brain detects negative information more rapidly than positive information (Yang et. al. 2007)

• We spend a lot of time running• from kittens disguised as tigers.• This wears down our immune • system much like an engine 20,000• miles overdue for its oil change.

4th FoundationOf Mindfulness

MentalObjects

Descriptive & Prescriptive

Liberation From Suffering

Mindfulness Roadblocks(The 5 Mental Hindrances)

• Sensual Desire, Greed

• Ill-will

• Sloth (Physical) & Torpor (Mental)

• Restlessness & Remorse

• Skeptical Doubt

Mindfulness Benefits

• Lateral Prefrontal Cortex: Assessment Center

• Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Me Center – Empathy

• Anterior Cingulate Cortex: Motivation

• Insula: Gut Feelings

• Amygdala: Fear Center Shrinks

• Neocortex: Creativity

(Hanson, 2009)

“With equanimity, what passes through your mind is held with spaciousness so you stay even-keeled and aren’t thrown off balance. The ancient circuitry of the brain is continually driving you to react one way or another - and equanimity is your circuit breaker.”

Rick Hansen, Ph. D.

The Practical Neuroscience of Buddha’s Brain: Happiness, Love & Wisdom

Occupational Benefits

• Mindful Leadership In Interprofessional Teams (Bell & Clark, 2018)

• The Transformation to Open-Heart Skills and Mindfulness in Healthcare Using the INTOUCH Model (Ellis, 2017)

• The Role of Individual and Collective Mindfulness in Promoting Occupational Safety in Health Care (Dierynck, et al., 2016)

• Nurse Leader Mindfulness Meditation Program for Stress Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Pipe et al., 2009)

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial (Shapiro, et al., 2009)

Classic Mindfulness Practice

1. Find Your Seat2. Brief Body Scan3. Set Your Intention4. Focus on Each Exhale5. Let Go Of All Technique6. Be Mindful of “Add-ons”7. Begin Again and Again and Again

Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy,

courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of

hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we

want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more

meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.

Brené Brown

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Mindfulness & Creativity

Meditate to Create: The Impact of Focused-Attention and Open-

Monitoring Training on Convergent and Divergent ThinkingColzato, L. S., Ozturk, A., & Hommel, B. (2012). Meditate to create: the impact of focused-attention and open-monitoring training on convergent and divergent thinking. Frontiers in psychology, 3.

“Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive RigidityGreenberg, J., Reiner, K., & Meiran, N. (2012). “Mind the trap”: mindfulness practice reduces cognitive rigidity. PloS one, 7(5), e36206.

SAVOR YOUR BREAK

• Mindful Eating• Mindful Walking• Mindful Communication

In organizational awareness, you understand the

feelings, needs, and concerns of individual people and

how those feelings, needs, and concerns interact with

those of others and how that all weaves into the

emotional fabric of the organization as a whole.

Chade-Meng TanSearch Inside Yourself: The Unexpected Path to Achieving Success, Happiness (And World Peace)

Benefits of Compassion & Self-Compassion• Less Anxious & Depressed (Neff, 2009)

• Fewer Negative Emotions (Neff, Rude, Kirkpatrick, 2007)

• Less Resistance to Suffering (Neff, 2003)

• Higher Emotional Intelligence (Leary, Tate, et al., 2003)

• Emotional Coping Skills (Rockliff, Gilbert, et al. 2008)

• Reduces Avoidance In PTSD (Thompson, Waltz, 2008)

• Immune & Behavioral Response to Psychosocial Stress (Pace et al., 2009)

The Science of CompassionFor Helping Professionals

Clear Boundaries arethe Key to a Truly

Compassionate Exchange

Our Intention for Service ImpactsOur Physiological Resilience to

Burnout & Stress

Kelly McGonigal (2012)The Science of

Compassion

“Working with emotions during our meditation sessions

sharpens our ability to recognize a feeling just as it begins,

not fifteen consequential actions later. We can then go on to

develop a more balanced relationship with it - neither letting it

overwhelm us so that we lash out rashly, nor ignoring it

because we’re afraid or ashamed of it.”

Sharon SalzbergReal Happiness

Working With Emotions• Recognize - Acknowledge what you are feeling. What is

happening inside me right now?

• Allowing (Acceptance) - Be willing to be present to your

experience, no matter how unpleasant. Whatever you notice, let it be.

(Tara Brach recommends noting “I consent” or “yes” or “this too”).

• Investigate - Unhook yourself from the object or story, so you

can witness the emotion with kindness, and from an unbiased

perspective. Mindfulness of body is a great technique here, as is asking

yourself “what am I believing to be true?”

• Nurture – Offer yourself mercy and care as you would an ideal

best friend. Words of kindness, a gentle caress, or an

acknowledgement of how hard this is are a few ways to practice.

6 Directions of Metta

• Yourself

• Teacher or Spiritual Leader (or Pet)

• Friend or Family Member

• Neutral Person

• Difficult Person

• All Sentient Beings

May you be happy, as I wish to be happy.May you know peace,as I wish to know peace.May you be free from suffering,as I wish to be free from suffering.

Mindfulness For Leadership

integration

How To Practice1. Dedicate A Space For Practice

2. Schedule Formal Practice As You Would

An Important Meeting

3. Set Electronics To “Airplane Mode”

4. Set Your Intention/Aspiration

5. Start Small: 5-10 Minutes (Insight Timer App.)

6. Take Regular Awareness Breaks

7. Find Your “Sangha”

8. Don’t Ever Stop! And When You Do, Just Begin Again.

Heather’s Approach To Mindfulness & Work• Leave Work At Work (Ritual)

• Optimize My Mind (Mindfulness)

• Manage Difficult Emotions (RAIN-C)

• Help My Body Help Itself (Body Scan)

• Develop Compassion for Myself, Co-workers,

Clients & Their Loved Ones (Metta)

• Do One Thing At A Time (Task)

• Write Down Ideas When They Arise (Creativity)

Mindfulness is called a “practice”

because it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Isn’t that a relief?Stang (2014)

Contact Information

Heather Stanghttp://mindfulnessandgrief.comhttp://heatherstang.comheather@mindfulnessandgrief.com

240-397-8080

Twitter: @heatherstangma

Mindfulness for Leadership Downloads

http://heatherstang.com/mhei2018