Overcoming Anxiety at Work: The Power of Mindful Leadership

Did you ever have the feeling of not belonging to most groups of people you have around? There was always something nagging at you, telling you that your anxiety defines the way you socialise and act around people. In a professional environment it’s easy to be put in a drawer, the one where people go when they don’t fit the usual mold.

When it comes to a Leadership position, weather it is within a team or towards yourself, finding the sweet spot is crucial to ensuring you can do the most with what is given to you.

Last year, Mercedes-Benz.io invited WeWolve to train whoever was interested in the ways of Mindful Leadership. I, for sure, was there sitting in the first row but I also couldn’t help wondering: what does that even mean?

I know mindful, and I know leadership… but how do I actually combine the two?

Here’s how the internet defines it:

Mindful leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and presence in leadership interactions. It involves being fully present in the moment, making conscious decisions, and fostering a compassionate and inclusive workplace culture. Mindful leaders are attentive to their own emotions and reactions, as well as the needs and perspectives of others__. (source: GenAI)

Sounds perfect, let me sign that!

Still, by being an overly emotional and empathetic person, it was never easy to be taken seriously or to make sure my emotions weren’t taking centre stage during difficult conversations. That’s exactly why I was eager to learn. I wanted to understand how I could lead better. How I could foster more inclusive, grounded relationships with my colleagues and with the teams I was trying to coach toward their full potential.

So, let’s break it down, shall we?

We live in a world of constant change, one where it takes just seconds to type something into a machine and get all the answers. But in the process, we lose touch with our inner voice. We struggle to pause, reflect, and express ourselves in ways that feel constructive and human.

Taking this into consideration, how about we start from practicing Mindfulness? One more buzzword thrown around too much, if you ask me - but there is a strong message behind it: cultivate and foster an environment with awareness of your feelings, surroundings and being intentionally in the moment. Learn how to react and let go while accepting the moment as it is without getting dragged by the past or potential future.

There are simple practices that are aligned with fostering a positive and supportive work environment:

• Be fully present: Ignore notifications, take the time to be in the moment and pay attention to what is right in front of you.
• Show empathy: Understand their point of view and how they might feel, try to imagine yourself in their shoes.
• Listen actively: Listen to understand and not to react. Ask clarifying questions and notice body language, concentrate on what is being said to you and not the answer that is already in your head (this one is difficult!).
• Reflect: Reflect on your actions and the impact it has had on others, this makes sure you create a space for yourself to improve and learn from your experiences.
• Find balance: You are not a problem solver; you are a helping hand and a way to find direction when the way out seems a bit trickier than they thought. Do not forget to be that for yourself too, only who knows how to lead themselves, can be a great leader to others.

These practices require dedication, only then you can achieve all the benefits for yourself and be a role model for the people you collaborate with.

• Self-Assessment: Getting an understand of your strengths, weaknesses and emotions is the first step to a successful mindful leadership. There are different easy and accessible ways to check-in with yourself, that can be integrated into a routine.
• Clear Communication: Communicating your expectations sets the ground level for upcoming conversations and intensions on both sides.
• Take Breaks: One of the techniques I like to do the most is "Mindful Breathing". Focus on your breath and try to centre yourself in challenging situations or just before a meeting. It can even be a one minute only exercise that does the difference.
• Be Grateful: Keep a gratitude journal, express gratitude to others, or consciously enjoy positive experiences.
• Embrace Challenges (or as we call it on the team 🌶️Chilli Mode On): See challenges as an opportunity to grow and to learn from the past, do not dwell and try to hang on believes that might be outdated.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, we did it ourselves - Lao Tzu

Advocate for what you believe in, and show that there are other ways to lead than the ones we’re used to from the past. Model mindful leadership behaviours to inspire your team and lead by example. Leading with compassion and empathy doesn’t make you weak, it strengthens the sense of belonging and supports a work-life balance that emphasises stress reduction, empowerment, and the feeling of being valued and respected.

Create a space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment or criticism. Trust your team and empower them by delegating responsibility, while still providing support and guidance.

Mindful leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present, honest, and human. There’s so much more to explore than what fits in one article, but if any of this resonated with you, I’d love to continue the conversation. Let’s chat!