Have you ever been told to slow down and take a few deep breaths before proceeding to speak or perform a task? These breaths can help clear your thoughts, and proponents of meditation believe this practice offers several additional benefits. Business leadership gurus are beginning to catch on to this idea, as some believe many aspects of leadership can be improved with meditation. Discover five things that meditation may enhance in your professional life.
1. Decision Making
Business leadership begins with making crucial decisions that help take a company to the next level. Are you wondering if you should devote more of your annual budget to marketing versus research and development? What about deciding between the two top candidates for the mid-level manager job? These are just to examples of the types of situations you have to face every single day as a business leader. Luckily, your decision making can be improved with meditation.
A study out of UCLA showed that mediation lights up the part of the brain responsible for gyrification. Gyrification is the name of the process the brain undergoes as humans make decisions. Knowing which direction to move a company is a vital part of business leadership, and meditation can help make you better at knowing how to strategize.
2. Clarity
Meditation may also enhance your thought clarity. As a business leader, you must be able to determine the long-term effects of the decisions you make, but this is difficult to do if your mind is cluttered. Meditation helps you to clear your mind, which makes it easier for you to focus on aspects of the company that are important for long-term success.
3. Empathy
Meditation may help you become more empathetic. One facet of business leadership is having the ability to connect with your colleagues, employees and customers. Meditation can help you become more in tune with the thoughts and feelings of others, which makes it easier to build a rapport with the people you meet.
4. Anti-Stress
Meditation is widely known for its ability to help alleviate stress. Without stress, your brain is more resilient, as it bounces back more easily from high-stress situations. Instead of viewing a situation as stressful, meditation can help you gain a better understanding of the situation so you can work through it rationally.
5. Well-Being
Meditation might improve your overall well-being and physical health. Regular meditation, even just 15 minutes a day, can help boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure and may even stave off alcoholism and substance abuse.
Effective business leadership is a complicated yet essential part of any business. If you or any of the leaders in your organization are struggling, consider using meditation as a tool to help you or your colleagues minimize stress, regroup and get back on the right track.
Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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