Lead with Kindness: Episode 2 - Embracing Mindfulness with Sally Singleton
Release Date: March 12th 2024Duration: 22 minutes
Episode Summary:In this episode of "Lead with Kindness," host Helen Rimmer, talks to Sally Singleton, a distinguished mindfulness coach and teacher. Sally has dedicated her career to guiding individuals towards peace, balance, and presence through mindfulness, transforming both personal and professional lives. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of mindfulness and its pivotal role in creating a kinder, more compassionate world of work.
Key Points Discussed:
* Sally's Journey to Mindfulness: From corporate stress to mindfulness coaching, Sally shares her personal journey and what led her to embrace and teach mindfulness.
* Defining Mindfulness: Sally dispels myths and simplifies the concept of mindfulness, emphasising its foundation in presence, attention training, and the crucial elements of kindness and self-compassion.
* The Science of Mindfulness: The discussion highlights the scientific backing of mindfulness, its benefits for psychological well-being, physiological health, and professional performance.
* Mindfulness in Practice: Sally provides insights into how mindfulness can transform workplace culture and leadership, offering practical examples of its impact.
* Mindful Leadership: The conversation explores how mindfulness enhances emotional intelligence, fosters deep connections, and supports effective leadership.
* Starting Your Mindfulness Journey: Practical advice for those inspired to begin practicing mindfulness, emphasising starting small and the importance of kindness in the process.
Memorable Quotes:
"Mindfulness is not just brain training; it requires gentleness, kindness, and self-compassion."
"With mindfulness, life can get a little bit easier."
Connect with Sally Singleton:
* Website: mindfulinterlude.co.uk
* LinkedIn: Sally Singleton
Resources Mentioned:
In the podcast we mention that there is a lot of research about compassion and mindfulness. These are some easily accessible resources to explore this further -
Kristin Neff is a leading expert in self-compassion, renowned for her extensive research that has transformed our understanding of mindfulness and compassion's impact on well-being. Her work, accessible through self-compassion.org, provides essential tools for fostering resilience and emotional health. https://self-compassion.org/
Brun, C., Akinyemi, A., Houtin, L., Mizzi, C., Cardoso, T., & Isnard Bagnis, C. (2022). Mindfulness and compassion training for health professionals: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1113453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1113453 This study assesses the Mindfulness Based (MB) CARE program's impact on healthcare professionals (HCPs), revealing that compassion-centered mindfulness training enhances their compassion towards patients and themselves, improves kindness, and increases attentiveness to needs. It aids HCPs in accepting difficult experiences with equanimity, reducing reactivity. The findings suggest such training programs as effective tools for institutions to foster more compassionate HCP-patient relationships.
Micklitz, K., Wong, G., & Howick, J. (2021). Mindfulness-based programmes to reduce stress and enhance well-being at work: a realist review. BMJ Open, 11(3), e043525. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043525 This realist review of workplace mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) across 75 studies reveals that MBPs can significantly aid participants, including healthcare professionals, in skillfully managing stress and enhancing well-being. The success of MBPs hinges on mechanisms such as awareness/self-regulation, acceptance/compassion, self-care permission, personal growth, and goal attainment. Key to their effectiveness is a supportive workplace environment that fosters safety in engaging with self-care and sharing emotional challenges among peers, as well as aligning program activities with existing goals. Without a conducive environment, issues like fear of non-productivity or exposure could lead to strategic use of mindfulness exercises, non-adherence, or dropout, underscoring the need for a supportive context to maximize MBPs' benefits.
Closing Thoughts:A huge thank you to Sally Singleton for sharing her wisdom and experiences with us. This episode not only sheds light on the importance of mindfulness in personal and professional growth but also reinforces our mission to lead with kindness. Remember, the journey towards a more mindful and compassionate workplace begins with each of us taking that first step.
Next Episode Preview:Stay tuned for Episode 3 of "Lead with Kindness," where we'll explore Trauma Informed Leadership with Fiona Bicket, offering more insights and practical tips for transforming the workplace.
Don’t forget to connect with The Kind Brave Leader via www.thekindbraveleader.co.uk
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