Mindful Leadership: The Skill Every Leader Needs Now
When you consider the definition of the word 'leader', perhaps you think of a work title like Director or CEO. Or maybe you think of the person in your organization with the most day-to-day responsibilities, or perhaps the biggest budget. If you stop for a moment, however, and think about what really defines a leader, you might come up with a different answer. Perhaps you begin to think of leadership characteristics. For example, a leader is a good communicator, or someone with the ability to gain consensus in a group. You might include adjectives like compassionate or creative. A person with these strong characteristics may or may not be the person with the highest level title or the biggest budget but they unquestionably are a leader. They have an impact, they sway the group. So, what then, truly is at the heart of defining a leader? Very simply, a leader is someone who has an influence on others. True, impactful leadership is all about influence.
Am I a leader?
The short answer is 'yes'. Every person, for better or worse, has an influence. Every action you choose to take and every action you choose not to take has an influence. The words you say, and the words you choose not to say, also have an influence, for better or worse. You are a leader. And your leadership, or influence, is not just at work. You are a leader in all aspects of your life. You lead your own life with your choices, you lead in your family and you lead in your community. Now, what kind of leader are you? Are you leading more often 'for better', or more often 'for worse'?
The truth is that we all do both. Sometimes our influence has a positive impact, and sometimes it has a negative impact. When I am working with leaders, the 'for worse' part most often arises when we are feeling tired and/or stressed. We say or do things that we later regret, we don't bring our best thinking to a situation and later find ourselves wondering 'how could I have ever thought that was a good idea?'. Or, why did I say that? When we are suffering from fatigue and stress, our brain isn't at its best so we aren't at our best.
Mindful Leadership Training Changes The Status Quo
This is where mindful leadership training comes in. This training teaches us to be present in the midst of the chaos of a typical day. Rather than react to the stress and fatigue, we cultivate the ability to make conscious choices that are more often 'for better' and less often 'for worse'. We learn to notice when our bodies are reacting to stress, fatigue or overwhelming obligations, and we learn to stop and give ourselves some space to return to our best selves, rather than react. We learn to respond.
Let's explore an example. You arrive at work late because the trains were delayed, there are 3 people waiting at your office door, and you have a message from your child's teacher that she needs to speak with you as soon as possible. A typical day, right? Add to that the fact that your yearly budget presentation is due tomorrow and you are still waiting for some numbers from accounting. Your neck muscles begin to tense, and your heart beat begins to rise. In your mind, you are beginning to write full length feature films about all the 'horrors' that are about to fall on you… Can you be expected to make your best choices in this scenario??? Absolutely not and yet we try to do just that.
Mindful leadership training starts by honing your ability to notice those signals from your body and treat them like flashing early warning signals. You then learn to take a pause, a Purposeful Pause, as I call it. In that Purposeful Pause, you bring your attention back to the present using your breath as an anchor, which calms things down enough to allow you to be your best self…focused, clear and compassionate…when making decisions.
If you would like a taste of the training, see the link below:
Mindful leadership training is not a tool, it is a training of your mind's innate capabilities so you can meet the chaotic moments of our days with all of your talents, expertise and heart. We need this kind of leadership now more than ever. We need the kind of leadership that influences 'for better' more often than 'for worse'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
16 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Best Wooden Bed Frames That Bring A Natural Element To Any Bedroom
Having a sturdy bed frame makes a difference in caring for your mattress and even your sleep quality, as poorly constructed options may wobble or creak with every movement. A wooden style brings a cozy, natural aesthetic to any bedroom while providing a solid foundation. The best wooden bed frames have strong slats that are close enough in distance to properly support your mattress and are made with quality materials that stand the test of time. Our top choice is the Thuma Classic Bed Frame, a premium, hand-crafted pick that features sustainably sourced materials and a tool-free setup. The best wooden bed frames offer effortless assembly and long-lasting, high-quality materials. illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer While many wooden bed frames lean toward traditional design, plenty offer modern versatility and functionality, standing out amid the sea of options available online. Below are our editors' top choices, including bed frames they and our team have personally tested at home. Our Top Recommendations Best Wooden Bed Frame Overall: Thuma Classic Bed (Queen) Best Low-Profile Wooden Bed Frame: Article Basi Queen Bed Frame (Queen) Best Sustainable Wooden Bed Frame: Avocado Natural Wood Bed Frame (Queen) Material: Upcycled rubberwood | Headboard: No (optional add-on) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Best for: Those who value sustainable design People who want to bundle a base and a headboard Those who prefer an effortless setup without tools Individuals who want choice of colors and fabric Skip if: You prefer more under-bed storage space (it has nine inches) The Thuma Classic Bed is widely recognized as a top-favorite among editors at Forbes Vetted, making it an easy choice as the best wooden bed frame. Not a handyman? No problem—you don't need any tools to assemble the Thuma bed frame. Its 100% upcycled rubberwood pieces securely latch together using the Japanese joinery technique. Its slats unroll into place for a sturdy center and feature noise-reducing technology to prevent creaks. It sits low to the ground, but it's compatible with Thuma's underbed storage drawers to function as a storage bed. 'The Thuma bed is the sturdiest frame I've ever owned,' says our tester. 'After a month of sleeping on it, I haven't felt it budge or wobble once.' She also notes that it's squeak-free every time she sits or lies on it, and adds, 'I sleep soundly through the night now and love the look of it in my bedroom.' You can also bundle it with a headboard, cushion board and more. See more in our full Thuma Bed review . Material: Solid wood with eucalyptus legs | Headboard: Yes | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: Optional 3-year Allstate protection plan Best for: Those who want a frame that comes with under-bed storage drawers People who want an attached headboard included Eco-conscious shoppers Skip if: You have a twin or California king bed You prefer more color options West Elm is a premium furniture retailer and its Mid-Century Storage Bed blends luxury with functionality. The kiln-dried wood frame is FSC-certified, meaning the wood is sustainably sourced from responsibly managed forests. The wood has what the brand calls an 'acorn finish,' and the frame is fitted with four pull-out drawers (two on each side) and a lofty headboard. You can store everything from linens and clothing to pillows and blankets underneath your bed to maximize space. With the West Elm bed frame comes white glove delivery (so they set it up for you) and cost is calculated at checkout—it is $279 if I were to ship it to my home in northern California. Material: Acacia or rubberwood | Headboard: Yes | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 5 years Best for: Those who want a variety of stains, materials and sizes to pick from Sleepers who want a high-end, handmade option People who want easy assembly Skip if: You'd like more under-bed space (it has eight inches) You can purchase the Silk & Snow Platform Bed on its own or bundle it with one of four headboard options: solid wood, rattan, cushioned or upholstered wood. The cushioned and upholstered options come in four fabric choices, all of which are removable and washable. The frame is available in either a richly colored acacia or light rubberwood, both sustainably sourced from Southeast Asia—though the rattan headboard is offered exclusively in blonde rubberwood. Like the Thuma Classic Bed Frame, the Silk & Snow frame features Japanese joinery for nearly effortless assembly. It also shares a low-profile design, offering eight inches of under-bed clearance compared to the Thuma's nine. Materials: Rubberwood, pine, MDF and oak veneer | Headboard: No | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 1 year Best for: People who'd like a range of colors to pick from Value shoppers Those who want a traditional, classic look Skip if: You want more under-bed storage space (6-inch clearance) You have a California king bed For the best wooden bed frame with a low-profile design, the Basi Oak Bed Frame from Article is a beautifully crafted pick with a 12-inch height. I used it as the frame in my primary bedroom for three years, and it kept me perfectly supported, stayed quiet and only took my partner and I 30 minutes to assemble (though the brand says it takes 60 minutes on average). With five color stains and four standard sizes available, this simple, minimalist bed frame can fit in almost any room. I purchased the rust velvet headboard with matching floating shelves that double as nightstands for a mid-century-modern, bohemian-chic style. Materials: Douglas fir | Headboard: Yes | Trial: 30 nights | Warranty: 10 years Best for: People who prefer sustainably sourced materials Those who want a variety of sizes Individuals who seek a frame with tool-free assembly Skip if: You want the option to return it without paying a 20% restocking fee The Avocado's Natural Wood Bed Frame has a clean and blockish design with an antique, aged look and is handmade in the brand's Los Angeles factory with wood reclaimed from 50- to 100-year-old California buildings. The entire manufacturing process, down to sourcing and transportation, adheres to strict third-party guidelines that guarantee sustainability and responsible forestry. The tool-free assembly is designed to be swift and painless, but the downside is if you decide to return the frame, Avocado charges a 20% restocking fee—unless you exchange it for an item of equal or greater value. Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep writers, contributors and editors have written hundreds of articles dedicated to the topic of sleep and stay on top of the latest happenings within the sleep space. Author of this story McKenzie Dillon, Forbes Vetted mattress and sleep editor, is a certified sleep science coach and has been writing in the health and wellness space for over five years. Bridget Chapman is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted and a certified sleep science coach. She's tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products, including bed frames. We spoke with Andrea Sinkin, professional interior designer and owner of Andrea Sinkin Design, on the qualities to look for in a wooden bed frame and tips to consider while you're shopping. To select the best wooden bed frames and their superlatives for our roundup, we used our own collective experience with bed frames and top-rated brands in the industry, expert advice and considered feedback from verified customers. We used insights from Dillon and our team who have tested different models listed in our roundup. We focused on important specs, including ease of assembly, trial and warranty period and quality of materials. We made a point of including wooden bed frames with and without headboards and storage options in varying price ranges. We read through hundreds of customer reviews to see what people like—and don't like—and only included wooden bed frames with a 4-star rating or higher. A bed frame supports the weight of you and your mattress and can help tie a bedroom together, so it pays to devote some time and research to your purchase. Wood Type Not all wooden bed frames are built alike—the type of wood used helps determine quality, longevity and durability. 'My preferred vendors and partners look towards quality hardwoods like maple, oak, mahogany, cherry and walnut,' says Andrea Sinkin, interior designer and owner of of Andrea Sinkin Design. 'Softwoods like fir, cedar or spruce are easier to cut and work with, but aren't as high-grade as hardwoods.' Style Not only can a wooden bed frame use different materials and stains, but you can find one to fit almost any function or style. Some wooden bed frames come with under-bed drawers or cubbies within the headboard for extra storage space, while others have a simple, minimalistic look with just the essentials: legs, slats and a support structure. You can also find wooden bed frames with footboards and headboards conveniently attached, which Sinkin recommends so you can comfortably lean back when lying with pillows. She also suggests diversifying the materials in your bedroom to avoid a wooden-heavy look that throws off its balance, and to opt out of matching wooden sets. Assembly The least satisfying part about a new bed frame is having to assemble it. The fewer screws, tools and washers, the better. For a hassle-free setup, consider a wooden bed frame like the Thuma or the Silk & Snow; both use Japanese joinery, a building technique that requires zero tools. You can also often pay an additional fee for white glove delivery, which means a team of professionals set up your bed frame for you. Weight Capacity The most supportive bed frames can hold up to 1,200 pounds or more, while others aren't as sturdy and support up to 600 pounds (including your mattress). Keep a bed frame's weight capacity in mind when you're shopping for a mattress—and vice versa—so you don't overload it. For reference, the average queen-size mattress weighs around 100 pounds. Thuma's popularity can be credited to its ease of assembly, quality workmanship, sustainable sourcing and options for versatility in terms of design, fabric and color. What Is The Best Wood For A Bed Frame? Walnut, oak, cherry, ash and other hardwoods make for sturdy and durable wooden bed frames. While softwoods like cedar and pine are lightweight, they're not as durable in the long run. What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Wooden Bed Frame? With proper maintenance and care, Sinkin says a quality wooden bed frame can last around 25 years or more. Hardwoods like walnut, oak and cherry tend to last longer than softwood bed frames that are made from pine or cedar, which may last five to ten years.
News24
43 minutes ago
- News24
‘It's a movement': Zakes Bantwini set to bring Mayonie Festival to Constitution Hill
Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Powerball jackpot climbs to $643 million. When is the next drawing, and what are the chances of winning?
You have a better chance of getting eaten by a shark than of winning the jackpot. The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $643 million after no one won the $605 million grand prize on Monday. That means there's still a chance — one in about 292 million — that someone could take home the jackpot after the next drawing on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, a person is more likely to get eaten by a shark than win the Powerball jackpot. But, hey, you never know. I need to check my Powerball numbers. What were they from Monday's drawing? The winning Powerball numbers for Monday, Aug. 19, were 15-46-61-63-64, and the Powerball was 1. The Power Play multiplier was 3X. That's a lot of numbers. How do you play? First, purchase a Powerball ticket, which you can do at a local convenience store, gas station or grocery store. (This excludes Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah, where Powerball is not played.) You'll pick a total of six numbers. The first five numbers have to be between 1 and 69 for the white balls. For the red Powerball, you'll pick one number between 1 and 26. You can choose your numbers by filling out a play slip, or you can have them randomly selected by a computer. The drawing of the numbers is held live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET in Florida. Sales cut-off times before the drawing vary by one to two hours, depending on the location. You can watch the drawings here. Let's cut to the chase. How do you win? In order to win the grand prize jackpot, you have to match the numbers of all five white balls (in any order) and the red Powerball number in a given play line. You cannot crisscross play lines or combine numbers from other tickets. Jackpot winners can choose to receive the winnings in 30 yearly payments or as a one-time lump-sum payment. Both are subject to federal and jurisdictional taxes. If players don't match all six numbers, there are still eight other ways they can win a monetary prize with a combination of matching some white ball numbers alone, or with the red Powerball number visualized here. For example, 22 lucky winners won the $50,000 prize for matching four of the white ball numbers and the Powerball number on Saturday. People also have the option to add a 'Power Play' for $1 per play line. This can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times. The multiplier amount is drawn and announced during the Powerball drawing. If there are no grand prize winners on Wednesday night, the cash prize will continue to increase. How many Powerball grand prize winners have there been this year? Four lucky grand prize winners have won big so far in 2025: May 31: $205 million jackpot won in California April 26: $167 million grand prize won in Kentucky March 29: $527 million jackpot won in California Jan. 18: $329 million grand prize won in Oregon Solve the daily Crossword
