Creating a Mindful Work Environment

Conflict gets a bad rap in the workplace. Early in my career, I believed conflict had no place in a healthy workplace. As I progressed, I realized that it was quite the contrary. The lack of conflict isn't a sign of a healthy work culture, rather it is an indication that important debates, discussions and differing viewpoints are being disregarded or suppressed. This insight revealed another key aspect: high-performing teams do not shy away from conflict. They embrace it, leveraging diverse opinions to drive optimal outcomes for customers. What sets these teams apart is their ability to handle conflict constructively. So how can this be achieved? I reached out to my friend Andrea Stone, Leadership Coach and Founder of Stone Leadership, for some tips on effectively managing conflict in the workplace. Here's the valuable guidance she provided: 1. Pause: Take a moment to assess your feelings in the heat of the moment. Be curious about your emotions, resist immediate reactions, and take the time to understand the why behind your feelings. 2. Seek the Other Perspective: Engage genuinely, listen intently, show real interest, and ask pertinent questions. Remember to leave your preconceived judgments at the door. 3. Acknowledge Their Perspective: Express your understanding of their viewpoint. If their arguments have altered your perspective, don't hesitate to share this with them. 4. Express Your Viewpoint: If your opinion remains unswayed, seek permission to explain your perspective and experiences. Remember to speak from your viewpoint using "I" statements. 5. Discuss the Bigger Objective: Identify common grounds and goals. Understand that each person might have a different, bigger picture in mind. This process can be taxing, so prepare beforehand. In prolonged conflict situations, don't hesitate to suggest breaks to refresh and refuel mentally, physically, and emotionally. 6. Know Your Limits: If the issue is of significant importance to you, be aware of your boundaries. For those familiar with negotiation tactics, know your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). 7. Finalize Agreements: Once an agreement has been reached, continue the engagement to agree on responsibilities and timeframes. This ensures clarity on the outcome and commitments made. PS: Approach such situations with curiosity and assume others are trying to do the right thing. 🔁 Useful? I would appreciate a repost. Image Credit: Hari Haralambiev ----- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, It’s about asking better questions. Fighting to get heard in the workplace can be exhausting. I’m sure we’ve all experienced: - Drifting off mid-sentence - Realizing no one was listening - Wanting desperately to be heard And the harsh truth is... As leaders, we often create those moments for our teams, without even realizing it. Active listening isn’t just about being polite. It’s about understanding, absorbing, and responding. Yet it’s a skill that often gets overlooked because of: ❌ Time pressure ❌ Mental distractions ❌ The urge to 'fix' things These are real hurdles, but they can be overcome. Here’s how to turn active listening into your superpower: 1. Turn silence into your secret weapon After someone finishes speaking, pause for a few seconds. That silence often encourages them to share more. 2. Echo what you’ve heard Paraphrase: "So what I’m hearing is..." This shows you're engaged and ensures mutual understanding. 3. Ask better follow-up questions A simple 'Why' to explore the question behind the question.  Try: "What options did you consider and reject?" Listening isn’t passive. It’s a choice: ✅ that strengthens decision-making ✅ that improves team dynamics ✅ that builds trust So next time you’re in a conversation, ask yourself: Am I truly listening? Or just waiting for my turn to talk? ♻️ Repost to help your network become better listeners. 🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more.

I took a new approach to work that has 10x’d my productivity that anyone can benefit from. Every interaction you have at work—every meeting, call, or email—should start with this one thing: Intention. It sounds trite, but the two biggest mistakes I see when people get on calls: 1. No clear agenda. 2. Being overly self-interested. The fix? 1 - Make space in your mind! Before the week starts - usually Sunday night or Monday morning - write down what matters for the week. Prepare your mind. Start to put yourself into a position of preparedness and mindfulness about what’s important and stay intent on those goals. 2 - That said, the biggest mistake I personally make week in and week out is prioritizing my own agenda without considering the agenda of others. The times that I feel the most disappointed, the most anxious, the most unfulfilled is when my mind is completely focused on me and my wants. These things seem at odds…but they aren’t if you consider the bigger picture. If I can instead consider how I can be of service to the founders I have invested in, the team I work with, the customers that have chosen to work with us and what they might want in that moment rather than checking off another box on my to-do-list — you will find more agreements (and progress) being made. So, before you hop on the next video call: 1. Ask yourself what everyone wants to get out of this call. 2. Set an intention. 3. Lead with value for them. 4. Then, share your goals. Turn routine calls into intentional, productive sessions. What’s your strategy for making your calls impactful? Share your thoughts below. 👇

Did you know that over 80% of employees are at risk of burnout this year, according to Mercer’s 2024 Global Talent Trends report? With stress and anxiety on the rise, healthcare experts are increasingly prescribing nature as a remedy. So, why aren’t we embracing the healing power of nature in our workplaces? Studies show that even simple changes—like adding plants to the workspace—can boost productivity by 15% and help reduce illness and sick leave, with improvements ranging from 20% to over 60% in some cases. In honour of #WorldMentalHealthDay, here are 3 quick, easy ways to bring some more nature into your workplace: 🍃 Take it outside: Swap a boardroom meeting for a walking meeting. Fresh air + movement = clearer thinking and better ideas. 🏃♀️ Micro nature breaks: Encourage mini-breaks that get people moving and outdoors. One company I know even locks people out of their computers for 5 minutes every hour to make this happen. 🌵 Bring the outside in: Add plants, natural light, and nature-inspired designs to boost mood and productivity. If we want teams to thrive, we need to design environments that do more than support work—they need to support people. How are you bringing nature into your team’s day-to-day? #NatureForWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #Leadership

"I don't have time to meditate" is the most common objection I hear from busy professionals. My response? You don't need 30 minutes in lotus position to be mindful. What you need are strategic micro-moments that fit into the workday you already have. I've coached executives who initially dismissed mindfulness as "not for them" but still needed mental clarity for high-stakes decisions. What they discovered was transformative: mindfulness isn't just about meditation. It's about intentional presence you can access in seconds. Here are five micro-practices you can implement between meetings, during projects, or anytime your mind feels scattered: 1. Three conscious breaths Take three slow, deliberate breaths. That's it. Notice the sensation of air entering and leaving your body. This resets your nervous system in under 30 seconds. 2. The sensory check-in When stress peaks, pause and notice: • 3 things you can see • 2 things you can feel • 1 thing you can hear This pulls you out of rumination and into the present moment. 3. Transition moments Use everyday transitions as mindfulness triggers. Before opening your inbox, starting a meeting, or entering your home, pause for 10 seconds. Feel your feet on the ground. Set an intention for who you want to be in the next moment. 4. Single-tasking For 10 minutes, do just ONE thing. No checking notifications, no multitasking. Whether it's analyzing data, writing an email, or listening to a colleague. Be fully there. Notice when your mind wanders, then gently bring it back. 5. Mindful listening In your next conversation, practice listening without planning your response. Notice how often your mind jumps ahead. When it does, return to the speaker's words. This builds connection and reduces miscommunication. These micro-practices aren't productivity hacks. They're the foundation of purpose-driven leadership. They create the mental space needed for clarity, wisdom, and human connection. The most effective leaders don't separate mindfulness from their workday. They integrate it precisely when the stakes are highest. Try even one of these practices today. Notice what changes. And if you're ready to build resilience and mental clarity that transforms your leadership presence, I've created something for you. Subscribe to my newsletter here → https://lnkd.in/g9ZFxDJG You'll get FREE access to my 21-Day Mindfulness & Meditation Course with practical strategies to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. And feel free to repost if someone in your life needs to hear this.

March 15th of 2016, I was woken up at 4 am by an intense pain in my stomach. Attempting to start my day, I found myself staggering downstairs, only to be overwhelmed by nausea. It was a wake-up call, signaling that something was seriously wrong. This episode led me to a diagnosis that many hard driving professionals are familiar with: chronic stress and burnout, the silent toll of juggling multiple roles. At the time, I was navigating between 3.5 roles 1) being the Director of Business Development at a technology company 2) being an Executive MBA student at USC Marshall 3) being a new father 3.5) enduring a grueling three-hour daily commute from Pasadena to Santa Monica daily This pivotal moment marked the beginning of my deep dive into mindfulness. Until then I have studied various philosophy but never practiced. It’s a journey that transformed not just my personal well-being but also my professional performance. Through studying of classics like “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” immersing myself in multiple meditation retreats, absorbing countless content, and meeting with PhDs, I crafted a suite of mindfulness practices that became my cornerstone for not only managing stress but the source of high performance achievement - hit 120% of my sales goal that year 🛠️It’s became a secret weapon. A very useful tool. Here are some practical steps I've integrated into my life, which I believe can profoundly impact anyone's professional journey: 🧠Mindfulness Practices for High Performance Establish a Daily Practice: Each morning, I dedicate time for box breathing exercise (adopted by Navy Seals) This simple act of returning my focus to my breath whenever my mind wanders has sharpened my focus, improved my emotional regulation, and cultivated a powerful presence in all aspects of my life. Mindful Moments: Wove mindfulness into the fabric of my daily activities. I have blocked off time on my calendar in between back to back meetings. These brief moments for mindful activities between tasks have become a forcing function to reset and recenter. They enhance my engagement and efficiency with each task at hand. Mindful Listening: In every meeting and conversation, I practice fully focusing on the speaker, absorbing not just their words but also their non-verbal cues, without crafting my response in my head. This approach has not only deepened relationships but also ensured that I fully comprehend the nuances of each interaction. My journey underscores that peak performance transcends technical prowess; it's equally about nurturing mental resilience, embracing mindfulness, and fostering a profound connection with our personal value. In the high-stakes realms of management and revenue functions, where success is often quantified by outcomes, goals, and quotas, mindful approach offers a sustainable and fulfilling path to what we do. Helpful material in comment 👇🏼 #selfdevelopment #mentalhealth #mentalperformance #leadership

Every company is different. Every team is different. Every leader is different. Every team member is different. So...leaders, when you bring a new person on to your team, do yourself, the new hire, and existing team members a favor and have everyone , (including yourself), create and share a "How to Work Best With Me" document or email. Having been a people leader several times, I have done this every time a new person joined the team. And it is so important. Let's break down the key elements for both existing team members and new hires to include in their "How to work best with me" comms. For existing team members: 1. Communication preferences: - Preferred communication channels (e.g., email, Slack, in-person) - Best times for meetings or quick chats - How they like to receive feedback 2. Work style: - Whether they prefer collaborative or independent work - Their approach to problem-solving (e.g., analytical, creative) - How they handle deadlines and pressure 3. Strengths and expertise: - Areas where they excel and can offer support to others - Specific skills or knowledge they're willing to share 4. Growth areas: - Skills they're currently developing - Areas where they appreciate extra support or patience 5. Personal quirks or habits: - Any particular work habits that others should be aware of - How they tend to react under stress 6. Project management: - How they like to organize tasks and track progress - Their preferred level of autonomy vs. guidance 7. Decision-making style: - How they approach making choices (e.g., data-driven, intuitive) - Their comfort level with risk For new hires: 1. Previous work experience: - Brief overview of their background and how it relates to the current role - Any significant differences between their previous and current work environments 2. Learning style: - How they best absorb new information (e.g., visual, hands-on, reading) - Their preferred onboarding pace 3. Initial goals: - What they hope to achieve in their first few months - Areas where they'd like to contribute or learn quickly 4. Support needs: - Types of resources or guidance they find most helpful when starting a new role - Any concerns or uncertainties about the new position 5. Cultural adaptation: - Any cultural differences they're navigating - How the team can help them integrate smoothly 6. Motivations: - What drew them to this role or company - What keeps them engaged and excited about work 7. Potential challenges: - Any anticipated difficulties in adjusting to the new role - How colleagues can best support them during the transition By including this information, leaders, existing team members, and new hires can foster better understanding, collaboration, and integration within the team. Also, these documents should be living documents, updated as people grow and change in their roles. #Leadership #Teams

Strategic sellers are the elite “mental athletes” of the business world. Yet, every day I encounter sellers treating their greatest asset like trash. Garbage in, garbage out. There’s a better way, and it doesn’t have to be overly time consuming or complex: Carve out a block for just one of these, and you’ll feel better. Incorporate all of them, and you’ll achieve things you never thought possible. ~~~ Fill your mind: READ ↳ Reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68%. ↳ Start your day with reading just 1 chapter to warm up your cognitive “muscles.” Clear your mind: WRITE ↳ Expressive writing can reduce intrusive thoughts and stress, creating more mental bandwidth for creativity. ↳ Spend 5 minutes at the end of each day writing down unresolved thoughts or lingering worries. Expand your mind: WALK ↳ Walking can boost creative output by up to 60%. ↳ Take a 10-minute walk during breaks or between meetings to refresh your mind and encourage new ideas to flow. Ease your mind: DELETE ↳ Limiting social media usage can significantly lower symptoms of anxiety and depression. ↳ Remove at least 1 social media app or unsubscribe from negative news feeds for 2 weeks and note the difference in your stress and focus levels. Restore your mind: REST ↳ Insufficient sleep can lead to a 40% reduction in cognitive performance, impairing decision-making and focus. ↳ Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep. Use a wind-down routine—no screens, dim lights, relaxing music—to help you enter deep, restorative rest. Focus your mind: MEDITATE ↳ Just 8 weeks of consistent meditation increases gray matter density in the hippocampus (critical for learning and memory). ↳ Practice a simple mindfulness session—close your eyes, focus on your breath for 10 minutes, and allow mental chatter to settle. Challenge your mind: LEARN ↳ Ongoing mental stimulation, such as learning new skills, is correlated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. ↳ Dedicate 25 minutes a day to developing a new skill or topic relevant to your growth—an online course, learning new software, experimenting with AI prompts. Sharpen your mind: PRACTICE ↳ Consistent, focused training can substantially improve performance in both mental and physical tasks. ↳ Break down a complex skill (like public speaking or learning a new language) into smaller components. Practice each component daily with measurable feedback to track progress. Nourish your mind: EAT CLEAN ↳ A Mediterranean diet can improve cognitive function and memory retention among participants. ↳ Swap processed snacks for whole foods—fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean proteins—to maintain steady energy levels and clearer thinking. Strengthen your mind: EXERCISE ↳ Regular physical activity can enhance executive function and overall cognitive health. ↳ Incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (running, cycling, or a strength workout) 4 times a week to bolster mental stamina. 🐝

Feeling frazzled at your desk? 😓 I've got a secret weapon for you - mindfulness breaks that won't eat into your precious time! We all know stepping away isn't always an option in our fast-paced world. But guess what? You can still hit that mental reset button without leaving your desk. 🪄 Here are 5 lightning-fast mindfulness techniques you can squeeze in between calls (I use these techniques almost daily!): Deep Breath Boost: Take 5-10 slow, deep breaths. Focus on the air flowing in and out. It's like a mini-meditation, and it only takes seconds! Muscle Magic: Start at your toes and work your way up, tensing and relaxing each muscle group. It's amazing how this can melt away tension. Sip and Savor: Take a mindful moment with your water. Notice the temperature, the taste, and how it feels as you swallow. It's hydration and meditation in one! Gratitude Glance: Quickly think of 3 things you're grateful for. They can be tiny - your comfy chair, a kind word from a colleague. It's an instant mood-lifter! Posture Power-Up: Do a quick body scan. Are your feet grounded? Spine aligned? This simple check can work wonders for your focus and energy. These micro-moments of mindfulness can be game-changers. They help you reset, refocus, and tackle those tough calls with renewed energy. What's your go-to desk-side stress-buster? Share your tips below - let's build a toolbox of quick calm together! 👇

How do I build a 12-month roadmap for a recruit using their production and my company playbook? Let me share a quick story. One of the leaders I coached was struggling to onboard a new hire effectively. They had great potential but didn’t quite understand how they fit into the big picture. As they dove into the role, the rookie felt lost and overwhelmed, leading to a few early missteps. We worked together on a solution. Instead of just assigning tasks based on numbers and quotas, we flipped the script. We created a detailed 12-month roadmap aligning their production goals with our company playbook. This wasn’t just about selling; it was about grasping our vision and understanding how their contributions would make an impact. Here’s how you can do the same: Start by identifying key production milestones for the recruit, breaking them down into manageable quarterly goals. For each quarter, align these objectives with specific elements of your playbook — training modules, key projects, or team collaboration opportunities. Ensure that each milestone has clear, actionable steps and reasons behind them, so the recruit knows not just what to do but why it matters. Also, keep communication open. Regular check-ins will help you both stay aligned and pivot if necessary. This framework works because it transforms the onboarding experience from a transactional series of tasks into a collaborative journey. When recruits see how their efforts support a greater vision, they’re not just going through the motions; they’re genuinely invested in the success of the team and the company. A meaningful onboarding process can set the stage for long-term engagement and high performance. Let’s make sure our new hires feel they belong and can see the roadmap to their success right from the start.