Team mindfulness: putting Phil Jackson's "one breath, one mind" philosophy to the test

Team mindfulness: putting Phil Jackson's "one breath, one mind" philosophy to the test

Zip lines. Escape rooms. Improv. Just three popular team building/team bonding activities. Another workplace bonding activity that not only reinforces cohesiveness and collaboration but may also reduce conflicts is team mindfulness. 

Minimizing cognitive bias via mindfulness

Minimizing cognitive bias via mindfulness

While there are scores of studies about the consequences of cognitive bias, little research has been done specifically within the workplace, and how such thinking has an impact on the bottom line. Until now. A 2017 study of 3,570 white-collar college-educated professionals was the first of its kind to quantify the cost of bias.

Sleep better, work better. The mindfulness link.

Sleep better, work better. The mindfulness link.

Odds are you’ve had—or currently have--a boss or colleague who sends emails at all hours of the day and night. Who hasn’t rolled their eyes upon seeing a 2:00 am time stamp upon checking their phone in the morning? Burning the midnight oil used to be a badge of honor. Now, thankfully, we know that getting a full seven to eight hours of sleep a night makes you a better leader and a better worker.

Six management challenges, one all too often over-looked solution

Six management challenges, one all too often over-looked solution

There is no shortage of research conducted by neuroscientists and psychologists, among other experts, demonstrating the impact of mindfulness not only on our personal lives but also on our professional lives. One solution to six of the most common management challenges is mindfulness.

Mindfulness, the lubricant for enhanced learning and retention

Mindfulness, the lubricant for enhanced learning and retention

When you think of the benefits of mindfulness, what comes to mind? Being present? Reducing stress? Quieting your thoughts? Yes, yes and yes. And now we have evidence that mindfulness puts learners in an optimal engagement and retention zone.

Be more like Satya Nadella and mind the empathy gap

Be more like Satya Nadella and mind the empathy gap

How refreshing in these chaotic times to see a CEO of a $250B company on national television (CBS Sunday Morning) speak about empathy and compassion as a business essential. Since Satya Nadella took the reins from Steve Ballmer to run Microsoft four years ago, he has been on a mission to transform the company’s hard-charging and competitive culture to foster growth. And it’s working.

What if our workplaces could become havens of happiness?

What if our workplaces could become havens of happiness?

In these tumultuous times, in which many feel a lack of control, doesn’t it make sense to purposely reduce hostility, incivility and other aggressive behavior wherever we can? The workplace is one of the places where we have this power, utilizing the tools of mindfulness (and other types of training), to minimize negative feelings and aggressive behavior, not to mention initiating a cascade of other positive effects.

Managers: your multitasking does more damage than you imagine

Managers: your multitasking does more damage than you imagine

A colleague shared that he once worked for someone who constantly typed email and texts on her smartphone, not only during weekly group meetings but also during his last annual review. There could be no clearer message that 1) the boss was not paying attention to the task at hand and 2) she had little regard for subordinates. There are also other unintended consequences of such behavior.