Conscious Leadership Starts with This Mindfulness Practice
In 2019, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop called Breathwork before Work for an engineering consulting firm with around 1,000 employees. To my surprise — and delight — the former CEO, an influential figure in the company since the 1960s, chose to participate in this optional workshop. At the end of our time together, he raised his hand and, with a smile on his face, shared that he had been practicing an ancient form of Chinese martial arts —Tai Chi — daily for the past 60 years. Tai Chi involves gentle, low-impact movements that allow individuals to perform a series of flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths; he emphasized that incorporating this form of breath practice into his routine was essential for his success as a leader and CEO, enabling him to manage stress, maintain clarity, and sustain energy throughout the day. Furthermore, he encouraged others to do the same. His story and testimony highlight the profound impact that breath-based practices can have on both personal and professional well-being, serving as a powerful example of the importance that these practices have not only on nurturing individual health, but also enhancing leadership skills and inspiring those around us.
The former CEO's story resonated with others, sparking a new appreciation for the simplicity and power of a daily breath practice and the role it plays in achieving both personal and professional balance and growth. His willingness to speak up in this way highlights the importance of leading by example and the ripple effect that one person's dedication to wellness can have on an entire organization. His testimony demonstrates how gentle breath-focused practices can seamlessly fit into days that feel full and are a welcome addition into corporate settings ready to support a culture of mindfulness, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.
In recent months, I have observed a growing number of conscious leaders emphasize the importance of their daily rituals and habits in achieving success; daily mindfulness practices such as breathwork, meditation, and spending time in nature are among the most widely adopted and recommended. As more leaders embrace these simple, yet profound, practices in the workplace, individuals will feel a sense of empowerment to navigate life's challenges with more ease and grace, ultimately leading to enhanced productivity and creativity in the workplace.
Conscious leaders embrace the present moment and recognize the impact that mindful practices can have on the health and vitality of both individuals and organizations. By supporting a culture of mindfulness, these leaders pave the way for a more compassionate, innovative, and resilient future.
Let us continue to breathe together, creating spaces for everyone to thrive.
Want to join us? Try out one of our 5- to 15-minute mindful breath practices available on the Wild Minnow app available on the App Store and Google Play.
