Mindful Management

Over the past four years, my Shabbat meditation practice spills over into my work and management.  And really, all these opportunities to learn mindfulness and to study Torah have given me strength and tools to be a strong employee, a thoughtful partner to my colleagues, and a firm and encouraging manager.  As a supervisor, I try to follow the "growth mindset" as described in Dr. Carol Dweck's book Mindset.  I wrote the post Mindset will enhance your life over 3 years ago and it has stuck with me.

I love what I do both professionally and as a volunteer.  I realize that for some people, coming to work is literally their job and when the imaginary whistle blows, they are out of the office and not thinking about it again until they walk in at 8:30am the next morning (or whatever their hours are).  I'm not like that.  I want to know more - what else is out there that can help us be a better team, what kind of speakers will interest my donors, what are other organizations doing to address the same issues and who can inspire me to think more creatively regarding time and project management.

Often in meditation and Torah study, I'll think, "I can use this in my staff meeting." My learning and personal growth in deepening my Jewish spirituality has helped my find balance in my work.  Throughout my career, I have been supervised by a wide variety of managers, all with different personalities and styles.  From all of them, I have learned how to incorporate the best of their styles and learn from their mistakes. 

While there are so many books about professional development, take a moment to find a class or two on mindfulness.  It will help you be more reflective in all areas of your life and will enhance your participation in your professional circles.

Maybe it is time for a wider discussion about mindful management and an opportunity for us to learn together.  Stay tuned as I develop this.