By James Eischen
There is an ancient curse: may you live in interesting times. Certainly, we are living in very interesting times that cause stress, uncertainty, and business disruptions. And yet, there are also opportunities. The best business opportunities arise from solving complex significant challenges. But this is easier said than done.
Mindfulness, the notion of slowing down to focus on our immediate reality for improved observation and problem-solving, has never seemed more relevant. But you are mired in management challenges right now! How can mindfulness contribute? Having owned and operated my own law practice for many years, while also having the opportunity to work as a partner in various law firms, the following are my own immediate observations (with gratitude to the airlines industry and the Red Cross):
- Put the mask on first. If you can recall flying, harken back to that repeated admonition, sometime before or after you’re instructed on how to buckle your seatbelt, that in the event of an emergency an oxygen mask will drop. And you’re told to place that mask on yourself before helping your child or co-passenger. If you are not ok and functioning well, you can hardly help (or lead or manage) anyone else. So, put the mask on first and manage your own anxieties, challenges, and calls for evolved problem-solving. Being a good example of mindful management is a great start. That means working to ensure your immediate needs are met so you can then more effectively focus on the big picture. Are you yourself doing what you want employees/staff/contractors to do?
- Look around you to make sure your surroundings are safe. I just completed my recertification for CPR and first aid for a volunteer high school sports coaching position, and had an excellent live instructor (along with outstanding Red Cross video teaching resources). And with every emergency, the same initial instruction was to first look around and ensure you are safe. Mindfulness means effective and focused observation of what’s in front of and around you. So, before you make big decisions on when to return to work spaces, or how to deal with overhead and evolved staffing needs, take a good solid and hopefully calm survey of your surroundings. What’s really going on? Before doing anything, take time to observe. And accept what you observe and learn. It may be surprising, it may not fit your preconceptions. We’re in the midst of evolution, things are changing rapidly, so to expect and look for the past being repeated may be off-track.
- Now that you have met your immediate needs so you can function, and having taken a calm inventory of what’s going around you, now trust your judgment but remember to retain these important qualities in your management: empathy, and mission. Empathy is sorely missing at times. My CPR and first aid class reminded me of something I used to take for granted, that people are willing to help other people for the greater good. Exhibited empathy is a glue that can bind otherwise very different people together toward a common challenge. And also remember and implement mission. To bring a group of people together, you need an understood purpose for the organization. Make sure you know your own personal mission, and the mission of the organization. That mission is hopefully obvious in your actions, your example, your leadership. It should also show up in your communications, and decisions.
Mindfulness is an honest and open-minded assessment of what’s in front of and around you. So be honest with yourself, and with others, as perceived honestly is another relational glue that can hold fast groups of people working toward common goals. Sometimes honesty is painfully hard. Yet it is incredibly necessary for your own decision making and for effective communications to groups of people with their own goals, fears, and agendas. To get everyone on the same page requires consensus. That is best built with a combo of empathy, mission, and honesty.
Be well! Interesting times can lead to great leadership. May that start with you.