How My Mindfulness Practice Helps Me Be a Better Leader
I learned early in my career that just because you manage people doesn’t mean you’re a leader. I also realized that organizations haven’t always prioritized the difference; whether a team’s “leader” was truly leading or simply managing often didn’t seem to matter.
But what’s become increasingly clear to me, especially in recent years, is that for teams and organizations to thrive, the individuals guiding them must have true leadership skills. Leaders do more than approve timecards, write reviews, and manage workflows.
When you think about it, leadership isn’t just about the business work, it’s also about the emotional work of a team. Leaders are the ones who get the call when someone is ill, loses a loved one, celebrates a big win, or finally takes that dream vacation they’ve been planning. Good leaders ride the ups and downs alongside their teams. They show up - for the work and for the people doing it.
I think many people never bridge the gap between manager and leader because of this very reason. Leadership comes with an extra layer of emotional responsibility. You hold more…and that can be heavy.
Because I’ve had more managers than leaders throughout my career, I made it my personal goal to become a true leader. To help people at different stages of their journey figure out what matters most to them - and help them get there. Sometimes that means mentorship. Sometimes it’s listening. Sometimes it’s connecting them with others or creating space for their growth. My goal is always to help people succeed, even if that means they eventually move on from my team or company.
The more I’ve embraced leadership, the more I’ve leaned on my mindfulness practice to support me. Leadership, at its best, requires emotional balance, and mindfulness helps me stay centered. As leaders, we absorb the emotions and energy of others. Mindfulness helps me release what isn’t mine, so I don’t carry it with me or burn out from it.
I find small ways to let go of what I take on from others; to keep it from settling in my mind or my body. Sometimes that looks like physical activity. Sometimes it’s energetic release. And sometimes it’s as simple as closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and reminding myself to let it go.
The benefit isn’t just personal. When leaders release what doesn’t serve them, it benefits the entire team. It creates space to hold what comes next…and there’s always something coming next.
Lately, my favorite mindfulness practice has been taking unplugged walks. In an age where everyone walks with headphones in, catching up on podcasts, YouTube videos, or phone calls, I try two or three times a week to walk with no distractions. Just me and my dog.
These walks help me notice what’s around me, tune into my senses, relax my shoulders, slow my breath, and let my brain process all the noise of the day. It’s a small act that creates big space - mentally, emotionally, and energetically.
Is mindfulness the solution to everything? Absolutely not. But is it a powerful tool for anyone who leads, or wants to lead, others? Yes, absolutely.
3 Mindful Leadership Tips
1. Pause before you react.
When a challenge comes your way — whether it’s a tough conversation, a last-minute change, or team tension — take a breath. A single mindful pause can shift you from reacting emotionally to responding intentionally.
2. Create space to process.
Schedule time, even 10 minutes, to step away from meetings, messages, and decisions. This space helps your nervous system reset and gives you clarity before moving on to the next thing.
3. Be fully present with your people.
When a team member comes to you, give them your full attention. Listen with curiosity instead of preparing your response. People feel when you’re truly present — and that builds trust faster than any leadership book ever could.