In today’s fast-paced business world, leaders must navigate a complex landscape—balancing strategy, team performance, and personal responsibilities—while maintaining focus and composure. Amid these challenges, mindfulness is a powerful tool to improve leadership, foster collaboration, and drive personal growth. Dorothea Feng of Texas reveals the good news: you’re likely already practicing it in ways you haven’t recognized.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, observing your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without judgment. Dorothea Feng understands it's about tuning into the "now" rather than being distracted by past regrets or future anxieties. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), explains, “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
For leaders, mindfulness is more than a personal wellness strategy; it’s a key driver of better decision-making, stronger relationships, and greater resilience. Dorothea Feng shares that a Harvard Business Review study revealed that 73% of senior executives report feeling burned out, with mindfulness offering a proven way to manage stress and increase focus.
Contrary to common misconceptions, mindfulness is not about meditation cushions, silence, or detaching from reality. Nor is it about clearing your mind of all thoughts. Mindfulness equips leaders to engage fully with their environments, especially during high pressure. It’s a practical tool to bring clarity and calm decision-making without losing momentum.
Leaders often face tough situations that require presence and focus. Mindfulness allows you to engage with challenges head-on while maintaining a steady and composed mindset—which is vital in high-stakes business environments.
Believe it or not, you’ve likely experienced mindfulness daily, especially as a leader. When you’ve been deeply engaged in a strategy session, fully present in a conversation, or found yourself in a "flow state" during work, you’ve practiced mindfulness. Dorothea Feng understands that these moments, where time seems to melt away and your attention is razor-sharp, are what mindfulness is all about.
Jeff Weiner, former CEO of LinkedIn, credits mindfulness as a critical leadership tool: “Mindfulness is one of the best tools I know to develop greater awareness, empathy, and the ability to make better decisions,” he told Business Insider. Dorothea Feng of Texas explains that it’s about optimizing your performance, not slowing down.
Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s backed by extensive research. Dorothea Feng understands that its effects on leadership, teamwork, and personal development are well-documented:
• Reduces Burnout: The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that mindfulness practices can significantly reduce burnout in leaders by helping them manage stress and emotional regulation more effectively.
• Sharpens Decision-Making: A study in Frontiers in Psychology shows that mindfulness enhances cognitive functions like working memory, focus, and problem-solving skills, all critical in leadership roles.
• Boosts Team Collaboration: Research from MIT Sloan Management Review indicates mindful leaders foster more collaborative environments where teams communicate better, build trust, and achieve higher performance.
• Increases Emotional Intelligence: Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, emphasizes the link between mindfulness and self-awareness. Leaders who practice mindfulness are more in tune with their emotions and can empathize better with others, which enhances their leadership effectiveness.
Mindfulness doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your daily routine. Integrating small mindfulness practices into your leadership style can profoundly impact your effectiveness and your team’s success. Dorothea Feng of Texas provides five strategies to incorporate mindfulness into your leadership practice:
1. Intentional Meeting Openings: Start meetings by setting a clear intention for what you aim to achieve. Instead of jumping straight into the agenda, take a moment to establish focus by asking participants to reflect on the key objective of the meeting. This helps align everyone’s attention and encourages purposeful engagement, setting the tone for a more productive discussion.
2. Active Listening: One of the most powerful ways to practice mindfulness as a leader is through listening. During meetings or one-on-one conversations, resist the urge to plan your next response while the other person is speaking. Focus entirely on what they’re saying. This deep listening builds trust, encourages open dialogue, and leads to better decision-making.
3. Pause Before Decisions: Leaders often feel pressure to make quick decisions, but mindfulness encourages pausing before responding. Whether it's a high-pressure scenario or a routine decision, a moment of reflection can lead to more thoughtful and strategic choices. This pause could be as simple as counting to five before giving your final word.
4. Awareness of Emotional Triggers: Mindful leaders know and manage their emotional triggers proactively. When faced with stress or frustration, instead of reacting impulsively, recognize the emotion, pause, and choose a measured response. This emotional regulation improves personal resilience and inspires calm and stability within your team.
5. Cultivate a Mindful Culture: Encourage your team to practice mindfulness in their work routines. This could involve scheduling brief moments of reflection between tasks, encouraging mindful breaks during long meetings, or offering training on mindfulness practices. A mindful culture fosters creativity, reduces stress, and leads to higher engagement across the team.
Mindfulness isn’t limited to professional settings—it can also accelerate personal growth. Mindfulness leaders are more likely to develop greater self-awareness, manage emotions effectively, and foster a growth mindset. According to a report by Korn Ferry, leaders with high self-awareness are 83% more effective in achieving business outcomes.
When leaders integrate mindfulness into their daily lives, they experience higher mental clarity, emotional balance, and personal fulfillment. Dorothea Feng explains that this, in turn, enhances their ability to lead others and build strong, successful teams.
1. Start Small: Start with five minutes of mindfulness daily. Starting small builds consistency, Whether during your morning routine or a moment of pause before work.
2. Be Consistent: Attach mindfulness practices to daily tasks like checking email, walking between meetings, or before important decisions. This ensures mindfulness becomes part of your regular leadership routine.
3. Track the Impact: Reflect on how mindfulness improves leadership effectiveness. Whether you’re experiencing less stress, making clearer decisions, or fostering better team relationships, take note of the changes over time.
Your Call to Action: Begin Today
Mindfulness isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. As a leader, it equips you to navigate challenges clearly, engage deeply with your team, and make more strategic decisions. The Vietnamese Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh said it best: “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
So, why not start today? Pause. Take a deep breath. And focus on where you are right now. By making mindfulness part of your leadership toolkit, you’ll create a more focused, resilient, and successful team—and experience personal growth.
Dorothea Feng of Texas
Dorothea Feng is a distinguished executive with over 31 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical, medical, and hospitality industries. She holds both a Master’s and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Houston, and her career has been defined by excellence in sales leadership, strategic marketing, and product innovation. As a motivational speaker and the creator of the 'Four F’s Framework' (Fame, Fortune, Future, and Family), Dorothea Feng has an exceptional ability to inspire individuals and teams to surpass their personal and professional goals. Dorothea Feng of Texas has a deep understanding of human motivation and a visionary approach, which positions her as a trusted expert in unlocking potential and driving success. Dorothea Feng's leadership has been instrumental in the successful launch of numerous products, and she has a proven track record of exceeding sales goals while fostering the growth and development of emerging leaders. Connect with Dorothea Feng on LinkedIn for more insights into her work and leadership philosophy.
