Finding Zen Amidst the Corporate Chaos

Yoga and meditation have been used for centuries to promote self-improvement.

But did you know that your practice may also positively impact your business leadership skills?

Whether you are presenting to management, dealing with a difficult negotiation or overcoming an uncomfortable business encounter, yoga can be harnessed as a powerful tool to guide you back to your place of stillness and renew inner strength and balance—in and out of the studio setting.

We’ve all woken up on the wrong side of the bed. It happens. But as a business leader, your negativity can be extremely contagious for your team. Movement and breathing naturally reduce your stress levels and help to provide clarity.

To prevent spreading your own bad energy, give yourself enough time for a quick five- or 10-minute meditation first thing each morning to clear your head. Similarly, in hopes to “leave work at the door,” a short but meaningful meditation during your evening commute can help you recharge your battery, providing the clarity you need to be a strong, positive leader.

As a leader, bravery is a must-have quality to successfully drive a team of diverse people forward. Whether it’s performing at an important client meeting, or boosting company morale with an all-hands pep talk, you must have a confident mindset to achieve tangible results.

Both yoga and meditation can help you stay mindful with intention and purpose to channel your positivity rather than zoning in on negative thoughts, especially in difficult situations. By having the confidence to stay poised and visualize your ideal outcome, you can move past your own fear and anxiety and reach your goals.

As a business leader, it’s essential to keep calm despite challenging day-to-day situations. It’s easy to sweat the small stuff and lose sight of what is important—which can decrease your overall efficiency and effectiveness.

By integrating yoga into your weekly regimen, you can find calm in your practice and actually relax, which will in turn slow down your thought process, rid your mind of worries and thus help you prioritize better to conquer each day.

This aforementioned ability to slow down your mind will also enable leaders to envision an array of fresh ideas and solutions to dayto-day problems, and leverage this creativity to become better business strategists.

Of course, it will take dedication and lots of practice to enjoy all of the benefits of yoga as a business tool. However, do keep in mind that without mindfulness, purpose and intention—it is impossible to be an outstanding leader.

Dr. Jodi Ashbrook INSTAGRAM: @jodiashbrook zenleader.org