The Mindful Connection – March 10th 2022 at 11:00am to 11:45am

At the last Mindful Connection, there was consensus amongst participants on the value of group practice and creating a safe space to explore mindfulness through experiential learning.

Vulnerability was explored during the reflective time. What does it mean? How does vulnerability benefit the workplace? And ways on how mindfulness supports vulnerability? Participants used the following words to describe vulnerability:

– Being authentic
– Showing up acknowledging fears
= Acknowledging your strengths and Limitations

In Breni Brown’s book Dare to Lead she writes to be vulnerable you need to take off your armour. Vulnerability is about emotional exposure. Only when a psychologically safe work environment is present will employees show up being their authentic selves. Without the safe space, employees will continue to wear their armour. Vulnerability builds trust and deepens relationships. Creating a team where participants can be vulnerable makes for challenging discussion, supports creativity, and opens people to change.
However, one participant rightly pointed out, employees and leaders alike need to embrace vulnerability for it to impact change and create a supportive workplace culture.
Group discussion explored how mindfulness teaches self-awareness skills which gives you insight into your vulnerability, and how vulnerability feels for you. Such information supports you in relating wisely to your vulnerable self.
It was agreed within the Mindful Connection community vulnerability is a strength of character. It is brave to show up and acknowledge your fear at work. However, unless leaders create a safe space for employees to be vulnerable, it won’t happen.

A great discussion took place at the last Mindful Connection. After group practice and the appreciative inquiry session, participants shared their experiences. The infamous mute on error happened during part of the guidance 0: and this made for an interesting discussion on how this experience landed with participants.

Presence, self-awareness, and social awareness are skills we cultivate through regular mindfulness practice, which contributes to building emotional capital. Such skills are a necessity as organisations manage the challenges posed by the pandemic and navigate remote working.

The reflective theme was on how to cultivate presence and self-awareness in the workplace. The following key points emerged from the group.

1. Encourage a minute pause before a meeting.
2. Purposely, with awareness ground yourself before a conversation to cultivate deep listening.
3. When finding you are rushing through tasks, PAUSE, intentionally take a few deep breaths, redirect the attention to the task at hand.
4. Consciously acknowledge and celebrate your achievements.
5. Reflect, non-judgementally when events don’t go as planned, be aware but do not let the inner self-critic dominate should it arise.
6. Notice when the monkey mind is driving behaviour.