The Mindful Leader Talk

Host: Maria D. Baez, Organizational Leadership Psychologist and Consultant

Guest: Keith Tully, CEO of Power Ties Consulting Group, Business and Life Coach, West Point Graduate, Former Army Officer

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the Mindful Leader Podcast, host Maria Baez interviews Keith Tully, CEO of Power Ties Consulting Group, about the transformative power of mindfulness in the workplace. Keith, a seasoned business and life coach with a background as a West Point graduate and former Army officer, shares his journey from military service to mindfulness thought leader, emphasizing its role in leadership and stress management.

Keith discusses the importance of building a supportive, values-driven work culture and offers practical steps to foster a positive environment. He addresses common challenges leaders face when practicing mindfulness and provides exercises like controlled breathing and mindful pauses to reduce anxiety and maintain focus.

Keith also shares his daily mindfulness routine and tips for starting the day with gratitude, providing actionable strategies to manage stress and enhance well-being. The discussion highlights the significance of open communication and genuine interest in employees' well-being.

This episode offers a comprehensive guide to mastering mindfulness and leading with intention, making it essential for both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals. Join Maria and Keith as they reveal the keys to reducing stress and improving leadership through mindfulness.

Topics Covered:

1. Importance of mindfulness in leadership

Music Credits:

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Kalimba Relaxation Music by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5711-kalimba-relaxation-music

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Introduction (0:00 - 0:53)

• Introduction to the podcast and today's guest, Keith Tully.

Keith Tully's Background (0:54 - 2:00)

• Keith Tully's journey from a West Point graduate and former Army officer to becoming the CEO of Power Ties Consulting Group.

Mindfulness in Leadership (2:01 - 5:00)

• Discussion on the growing importance of mindfulness in leadership.

Building a Culture of Character (5:01 - 9:00)

• Creating a work culture based on strong values and character is necessary.

Managing Workplace Stress (9:01 - 12:00)

• Strategies for leaders to help employees cope with stress and anxiety.

Practical Mindfulness Exercises (12:01 - 16:00)

• Mindfulness exercises and practices that leaders can incorporate into their daily routines.

Overcoming Daily Stress (16:01 - 18:00)

• Tips for handling daily stressful events and challenges.

Recommendations for Gratitude and Mindfulness (18:01 - 19:30)

• Keith's advice on starting the day with mindfulness and gratitude.

Conclusion and Contact Information (19:31 - 20:07)

• Final thoughts on the importance of mindfulness in leadership.

In this Mindful Leader Talk Podcast episode, host Maria Baez speaks with Keith Tully, CEO of Power Ties Consulting Group, about the significance of mindfulness in leadership. Keith emphasizes the need for leaders to create a culture of character and coaching where employees feel supported and valued. He explains how mindfulness practices can help reduce workplace stress and improve well-being. Keith also shares practical exercises that leaders can use to start their day mindfully and manage stress effectively. The conversation highlights the importance of gratitude and being present in daily interactions.

Key Points:

• The growing importance of mindfulness in leadership.

Mindfulness in Leadership:

• Mindfulness is crucial for effective leadership and can significantly reduce workplace stress. Leaders who practice mindfulness can better manage their stress and create a more supportive environment for their team.

Creating a Supportive Culture:

• Leaders should build a culture of character and coaching where values are clear and practiced consistently. This helps create a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and understood.

Managing Stress:

• Leaders must recognize and address their stress and its impact on their team. Practical mindfulness exercises like controlled breathing and mindful breaks can help de-escalate anxiety and maintain a calm and focused mindset.

Practical Exercises:

• Simple practices like controlled breathing, pausing, and being genuinely interested in employees' well-being can make a big difference. Starting meetings with a brief mindfulness exercise can set a positive tone and help everyone stay focused.

Daily Mindfulness Routine:

• Starting the day with mindfulness and gratitude can set a positive tone and improve overall mood and productivity. Taking 10 minutes each morning for self-reflection and appreciation can help leaders stay grounded and manage their day more effectively.

Open Communication:

• Encourage open and honest communication within the team to address issues promptly and effectively. Leaders should be genuinely interested in their employees' well-being and create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges.

Gratitude and Positivity:

• Practicing gratitude can shift your mindset and reduce stress. Leaders can create a more positive and supportive work environment by focusing on the positive aspects of life and work. Gratitude practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal or sharing positive moments, can enhance relationships and improve overall well-being.

"By gaining a deeper understanding of these environments, we disco our way to a life filled with balance, joy, and well-being." - Dr. María D. Báez

"Cosmic Groove: Dancing Through the Nine Environments of Life"

Dr. María D. Báez, our guide and magical transformation maestro, explores the nine fundamental environments that shape, influence, and impact our lives in this enlightening and empowering episode of The Mindful Leader Talk. Building upon the foundational teachings from Buckminster Fuller's book "Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth," we examine the crucial roles that our social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, professional, financial, cultural, technological, and physical environments play in our lives.

Each environment is presented as a unique room in our cosmic disco, a space that pulsates with energy, rhythm, and influence. As we dance through each room, we learn not only to navigate these environments but also to harness their power, turning every challenge into a source of growth and every stressor into a potential stepping stone toward greater resilience and joy.

First, we engage with our social environment, encapsulating all our relationships, interactions, and connections. We discuss ways to enhance social bonds, reduce conflict, and cultivate a sense of community, facilitating a dance of harmony amidst the ever-evolving dynamics of human connection.

Next, we enter the realm of our emotional environment. We explore emotional intelligence and stress management techniques, teaching you how to ride the roller coaster of emotions gracefully and cultivate positive emotions that can turn the disco lights on even during tough times.

Our intellectual environment forms the third room in our cosmic disco. Here, we discuss how fostering a growth mindset, indulging in lifelong learning, and nurturing creativity can make this room a hub of enlightenment and innovation.

As we move into the spiritual environment, we delve into practices that nurture the soul and provide a sense of connection with something greater than ourselves. Whether through meditation, mindfulness, or simply discovering our values and purpose, we explore how spirituality can lend depth to our cosmic dance.

Our professional environment is where we spend a significant portion of our lives. Thus, we discuss ways to align our work with our values and passions, maintain work-life balance, and foster healthy professional relationships, helping you hit every professional beat with vigor and satisfaction.

The sixth room houses our financial environment. With practical advice on budgeting, financial planning, and decision-making, we ensure your financial dance doesn't become a tango of stress and anxiety.

Our journey through the cosmic disco then takes us into the cultural environment. We emphasize the importance of embracing diversity, inclusivity, and cultural heritage, teaching you to dance harmoniously with everyone on the global dance floor.

Next, we navigate the digital beats of the technological environment. Here, we discuss how to set boundaries, use technology mindfully, and leverage its potential to enhance our lives rather than become a source of stress.

Finally, we groove into our physical environment, emphasizing the importance of our surroundings in influencing our well-being. We provide tips on creating a nourishing physical environment that supports your health and well-being.

As the episode draws close, we remind you that every step in this cosmic disco is about more than finding balance or achieving a meditative state. It's about embracing your inner power, activating your creative energies, and dancing through life's challenges with a sense of purpose, joy, and resilience. 

Links and Resources

• https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

• (1.tech-logo-reveal-152542.mp3 (mixkit-relaxing-harp-sweep-2628.mp3 3.sound-effect-twinklesparkle-115095.mp3 4.mystical-wind-chimes-transition-fx-6327.mp3 5.chonology-of-love-6094.mp3 6.soft-piano-100-bpm-121529.mp3 7.disco-funk-loops-001-remix-1-long-loop-with-drums-120-bpm-6278.mp3 8.swoosh-fx-mediumwav-14619.mp3 9.angelical-pad-143276.mp3 10.celestial-melody-18337.mp3 11.serene-crystal-singing-bowls-29521.mp3 12.positive-orchestral-jingle-21444.mp3 13.ancient-99556.mp3 14.crowd-cheering-143103.mp3)

• https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

• https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5711-kalimba-relaxation-music License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Call to Action: If you found value in this episode, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, share it with your network, and don't forget to subscribe. Stay tuned for our next episode, featuring an interview with a Mindful Leader and former Army Officer.

Contact Information: Email your thoughts, ideas, and success stories at [email protected] or visit our website at www.mbaezconsulting.com.

Mindful Habits, Coping Mechanism, Life/Occupational Stress, DML Method

Episode Title: Mind Habits to Cope with Occupational Stress Successfully

In this episode, we talk about what habits are, what they represent in our lives, and how to consciously lay the foundation to create the best day of your life.

Points discussed in this episode:

• What is a habit?

Transcript:

The information presented in this podcast is general. It is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should never be used to diagnose, prescribe medical or psychological conditions, or replace a physician. And it is not intended to prevent, treat, or cure such conditions or substitute for mental care, preventive health care, counseling, or therapy from or a physical or mental health professional. Thank you for listening and blessings! Have you ever wished to discover how to help your employees with their occupational stress with a mindful approach? What if there is a way to build a productive and supportive environment for your employees that leads you to influence the organizational culture positively? Well, this is your invitation to join us for Mindful Leader Talk, a podcast on the effects of mindfulness as a secular practice on occupational stress and organizational culture. Blessings & Welcome to The Mindful Leader Talk podcast, mindfully coping with occupational stress!. I am María Báez, an organizational leadership psychologist, consultant, trainer, coach, and full-time magician! Did you know how to uncover habits to cope with occupational stress successfully.? Stay here to find answers in today's podcast. General knowledge tells us that a habit is a settled or regular tendency, an automatic reaction to one specific event or a routine practice made in a fraction of seconds. Studies confirm that the consistency of a habit becomes a behavioral pattern. A habit may form or shape human behavior, therefore the outcome in mood, emotions, anger reactions, and relational transactions daily. Behavioral analysis psychologists have concluded that habits can be molded or replaced by positive ones when they are harmful to the individual. For instance, I wake up this morning, and I give thanks for the beautiful day that awaits me. When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is a painting on the shelf with the colorful butterfly and the writing that says "Enjoy Life." Next, I go to the bathroom. At the same time, I brush my teeth. I look in the mirror to appreciate the beautiful, spectacular image reflected there. While preparing my coffee, I set up my favorite audiobook, "the circle of fire" meditation. Upon arriving at my workstation, I create my safe space, a work environment creek of harmony and peace with essential oils. Next, I greet my plants while I feed them. Finally, I do mindful movements for 10 minutes to conclude my daily routine of mindful habits. I have heard "it is easier saying than doing," and in my experience, I know this is true. Although, It also makes sense the idea of "if we keep doing what we always do, we will keep on getting what we always get." This tells me that something needs to change, and we must define and identify why we must change this pattern. No, just because we want, we should label the real reason or consequences we will be paying if we do not do it now! These real reasons, three opposite-habit things, will guide us when making the plan. They will be the opposite behaviors or doings as the usual current ones. Not everything is lost. Suppose we commit to a goal daily by visualizing the prizes to enhance ourselves by pulling out from those old habits. There is no doubt we will become the master of our own mindful living in that case. I created a method called DML to save the day. DML stands for Define, Make a plan, Live in it. Define: Describe or identify the harmful habit. Please remember to add your reason. Make a plan: Write down the opposite you chose to change, the one you will commit from now on. Live in it: Commit to your plan by logging your new habits day by day. A reflective quote from John Kabat-Zinn book "Full Catastrophe Living" -.  You have only moments to live. Says: "Oh, I have had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day". Amazing quote to reflect, isn't it? I have learned through my own experiencing. Also, wellness professionals mention that a daily routine of consciously established habits is the foundation for living the day in full consciousness, present, in mindfulness. I hope you have enjoyed this episode. Thank you for listening! and stay in tune for the next topic in two weeks "How to awaken the awareness of the nine environments that make up your life." If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please visit my website www.mbaezconsulting.com or send me an email at [email protected]. This is the Mindful Leader Talk, a podcast on the effects of mindfulness as a secular practice on occupational stress and organizational culture. Feel free to invite to listen or share this podcast. Stay in tune for all coming episodes to build profitable organizations driven by the well-being of their employees and, therefore, of our society, and in the meantime, please stay safe. Blessings! 

Music for this podcast:

• Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod. Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought. License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Now is your turn!

We'd love to hear your concerns, stories, or questions to include in future podcast topics. Please write to us at [email protected] or contact us through our website https://mbaezconsulting.com/contact/

Today's episode is about The myths and paradigms about mindfulness: what is not mindfulness! Several articles about the definition and origin of Mindfulness indicate that this term has been used for hundreds of years, but not before the late 19th century was explicitly connected with meditation practice.

In 1881, Professor Thomas William Rhys Davids translated the word Satis from the Pali language into the English language as Mindfulness. Although it refers to memory, it is used independently as thought, the activity of the mind, and the constant presence of what the mind is generating.

Thus, the term mindfulness already existed in the Buddhist context before reaching western culture. According to the meaning that the Buddhist culture gives to the term Satis, it is remembering, but it refers to memory when used with meditation.

One of the most profound myths and paradigms about the term mindfulness is to relate it in one way or another to the concept of religion, spirituality, or some religious sect.

However, thanks to the work done by Dr. John Kabat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine and founder of Mindfulness-based stress reduction, since 1976, the approach to Mindfulness has changed.

Although Dr. Kabat-Zinn incorporated various meditation techniques from Buddhist translations into his Mindfulness-based stress reduction program, he uses Mindfulness as a secular practice applied to science through scientific lenses.

According to a mindfulness-based stress reduction program at the University of Massachusetts, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, more than 22,000 individuals have been treated for and received some form of therapy-based Mindfulness as cognitive therapy to treat depression. Many studies confirm and recognize the benefits individuals obtain both in the psychological and physical fields; therefore, they disconnect the term mindfulness from its religious roots.

But, what does Mindfulness means? In general, mindfulness practices are very likely to deliberately involve the effort to stabilize attention on specific physical sensations and emotional stimuli, reestablish and sustain the present moment and keep the mind away from wandering.

This deep commitment to the here and now is combined with an attitude of acceptance and openness. To allow thoughts and emotions to come and go without applying a cognitive assessment.

Focused attention on what the breath is helps us create awareness of what we are thinking and the sensations we are having in our physical body in the present moment.

The psychologist and science journalist from Harvard University, Daniel Coleman, said Mindfulness refers to what moves inside your mind where you notice that it is wandering. So it's like monitoring what you do and where your mind is going. And meditation is one of the ways to train mindfulness attention. He also cites that among the most notorious benefits of mindfulness practices are to lower the stress levels produced by the hormone cortisol, promote and enhance the immune system's response, elevate mood, sharpen focus, delivered attention, and help us recover more quickly from any stressful situation.

After reading one of John Kabat-Zinn's books, "Mindfulness for Beginners: Claiming the Present Moment and Your Life." I learned that Mindfulness is not a cold, hard practice, clinical or analytical therapy of one having to pursue something; I also learned that meditation means peace of mind, relaxation through the direct appreciation of our breath. 

To practice Mindfulness, instead of doing it simply as a technique, a therapy, or as one more task that one has to perform within our hectic day, I would say that the first thing to do is understand the concept as a way of being.

Mindfulness is living, recognizing that life is changeable, that the awareness we put in the present moment is what makes life worth living, moment after moment after moment. Mindfulness is a powerful vehicle to carry out that transformation and possible healing within each of us and the world.

Thank you for listening and stay in tune for the next topic in two weeks, Are there effects of mindfulness on the human cognitive, nervous, and immune systems? 

Music for this podcast:

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod

Kalimba Relaxation Music by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5711-kalimba-relaxation-music

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this podcast, you will learn about topics such as:

• Mindfulness effects on the human cognitive, nervous, and immune
  

Email [email protected]

Website www.mbaezconsulting.com 

Kalimba Relaxation Music by Kevin MacLeod

Deliberate Thought by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3635-deliberate-thought

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license