The MIndful Reader
I meant to key The Mindful Leader – since I am planning to write about the book I am currently reading. However, given all the
books I have read recently on being mindful the blog post title seemed apropos.
Mindfulness and/or being present is becoming more and more important in our world of continual distractions. We used to hear a lot about listening skills but I think mindfulness is eclipsing that conversation now in terms of paying attention to what is happening around you. I recently started reading The Mindful Leader by Michael Carroll. Carrol writes,
“The primary act of mindful leadership, then, is to open – to fully appreciate our circumstances before we seek to influence or act upon them. When we are willing to open to our world before we act, we not only learn what we need to know, but equally important, we express a vital, innate intelligence that is sharp, flexible, and unassuming.”
Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone who just jumped to a conclusion that was not only inaccurate but also revealed he wasn’t really listening to me. I have done that many times myself and will do so in the future so I am not judging here! It just reminded me of how difficult it is to be mindful, to consider what a person is really saying, what might be behind their words and to stop and ask a few questions before I respond.
As far as being a mindful reader that has it’s own challenges. How often do we skim what we are reading looking for something to leap out at us that is useful. A lot more is required in reading mindfully. It involves slowing down and thinking about what we are reading and asking what it means for us.
How about you? Do you work at being mindful? What has helped you? What are your barriers to being mindful? I would be interested in your comments.
