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The Mindful Leader: Ten Principles for Bringing Out the Best in Ourselves and Others
A new generation of business leaders is turning to mindfulness as a cutting-edge leadership tool. Scientific research suggests that the practice of mindfulness (a technique for learning to live in the present moment) can help individuals to gain clarity, reduce stress, optimize performance, and develop a greater sense of well-being.
In The Mindful Leader , Michael Carroll explains what mindfulness is and how to develop it in the hectic and often stressful environment of the twenty-first century workplace. He focuses on ten key principles of mindfulness and how they apply to leading groups and organizations. Along the way, Carroll addresses a range of topics, including how to:
•
heal the “toxic workplace,” where anxiety and stress impede performance
•
cultivate courage and confidence in the face of workplace difficulties
•
pursue organizational goals without neglecting what’s happening here and now
•
lead with wisdom and gentleness, not just with ambition and power
•
start a personal meditation practice to develop your innate leadership talents
Full of engaging stories and practical exercises, The Mindful Leader will help leaders in any field to discover their innate intelligence, bravery, and joy on the job.
In The Mindful Leader , Michael Carroll explains what mindfulness is and how to develop it in the hectic and often stressful environment of the twenty-first century workplace. He focuses on ten key principles of mindfulness and how they apply to leading groups and organizations. Along the way, Carroll addresses a range of topics, including how to:
•
heal the “toxic workplace,” where anxiety and stress impede performance
•
cultivate courage and confidence in the face of workplace difficulties
•
pursue organizational goals without neglecting what’s happening here and now
•
lead with wisdom and gentleness, not just with ambition and power
•
start a personal meditation practice to develop your innate leadership talents
Full of engaging stories and practical exercises, The Mindful Leader will help leaders in any field to discover their innate intelligence, bravery, and joy on the job.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2007
40 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Michael Carroll
7 books14 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Michael Carroll is the founding director of Awake at Work (AAW) Associates, a consulting group that works with organizations and individuals to help them rediscover balance and well-being while pursuing professional success. For over two decades Carroll worked as a human resources professional, holding executive positions at Shearson Lehman Brothers, Paine Webber, Simon & Schuster, and the Walt Disney Company. He is a longtime student of Buddhism and an authorized teacher in the lineage of the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa. Michael continues to work in corporate settings and has taught mindfulness meditation at the New York Open Center, the Omega Institute (assisting Pema Chödrön), and the Wharton School of Business.
Michael Carroll is the founding director of Awake at Work (AAW) Associates, a consulting group that works with organizations and individuals to help them rediscover balance and well-being while pursuing professional success. For over two decades Carroll worked as a human resources professional, holding executive positions at Shearson Lehman Brothers, Paine Webber, Simon & Schuster, and the Walt Disney Company. He is a longtime student of Buddhism and an authorized teacher in the lineage of the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa. Michael continues to work in corporate settings and has taught mindfulness meditation at the New York Open Center, the Omega Institute (assisting Pema Chödrön), and the Wharton School of Business.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 6, 2008
In case you were wondering, the 10 principles are simplicity, poise, respect, courage, confidence, enthusiasm, patience, awareness, skillfulness, and humility. Carroll practices in the Shambhala school of Tibetan Buddhism and his program is a secularized version of it. He is a sensible, kindhearted person with a lot of good advice ("be authentic," "bring your whole self to work," "don't treat people like shit"), but the idea that Buddhism can and should be adapted to serve consumer capitalism disturbs me.
Carroll also has this list of 30 helpful hints for not being an asshole boss:
1. Take time to meditate, reflect, and study.
2. Cultivate a household that appreciates the training of a mindful leader.
3. Create moments of silence; retreat to be alone on occasion.
4. Contemplate the impermanent nature of wealth and career.
5. Show respect to those who teach you how to become a mindful leader.
6. On occasion, meditate and study with others who aspire to become mindful leaders.
7. Work hard to open to life's circumstances; step beyond resistance.
8. Permit life to reveal its fundamental nature: free, vast, and confident.
9. Put others ahead of yourself; focus on promoting their welfare.
10. Carefully examine all insults; quietly wish the best to those who are rude.
11. Clean up messes and difficulties, even if they are not of your making.
12. Treat adverse circumstances as your teacher.
13. When hurt by those you trust and love, show kindness.
14. Never lose courage in the face of physical pain and difficult circumstances.
15. When praised, carefully examine your tendency toward pride and arrogance.
16. Take full responsibility for your anger; lay it down gently but quickly.
17. Abandon addiction and compulsive attractions; savor pleasures with dignity.
18. Dispel the blinding effects of making "me" the center of everything.
19. When grieving, contemplate the passing nature of everything.
20. Enjoy bestowing gifts on others.
21. Cultivate your natural tendency to be decent toward others.
22. Patiently invite all that arises -- good, bad, happy, sad.
23. Never give up inspiring others and contributing to the world.
24. Rest in the ease of synchronized mind.
25. Recognize that the world is free of your story lines; notice the situation directly.
26. Reflect on your mistakes; make them friends, not enemies.
27. Creat a household environment that is uplifted and wise.
28. Abandon harsh language.
29. Be sharp and quick to cut the root of arrogance and stupidity.
30. Dedicate all success to the benefit of others.
Carroll also has this list of 30 helpful hints for not being an asshole boss:
1. Take time to meditate, reflect, and study.
2. Cultivate a household that appreciates the training of a mindful leader.
3. Create moments of silence; retreat to be alone on occasion.
4. Contemplate the impermanent nature of wealth and career.
5. Show respect to those who teach you how to become a mindful leader.
6. On occasion, meditate and study with others who aspire to become mindful leaders.
7. Work hard to open to life's circumstances; step beyond resistance.
8. Permit life to reveal its fundamental nature: free, vast, and confident.
9. Put others ahead of yourself; focus on promoting their welfare.
10. Carefully examine all insults; quietly wish the best to those who are rude.
11. Clean up messes and difficulties, even if they are not of your making.
12. Treat adverse circumstances as your teacher.
13. When hurt by those you trust and love, show kindness.
14. Never lose courage in the face of physical pain and difficult circumstances.
15. When praised, carefully examine your tendency toward pride and arrogance.
16. Take full responsibility for your anger; lay it down gently but quickly.
17. Abandon addiction and compulsive attractions; savor pleasures with dignity.
18. Dispel the blinding effects of making "me" the center of everything.
19. When grieving, contemplate the passing nature of everything.
20. Enjoy bestowing gifts on others.
21. Cultivate your natural tendency to be decent toward others.
22. Patiently invite all that arises -- good, bad, happy, sad.
23. Never give up inspiring others and contributing to the world.
24. Rest in the ease of synchronized mind.
25. Recognize that the world is free of your story lines; notice the situation directly.
26. Reflect on your mistakes; make them friends, not enemies.
27. Creat a household environment that is uplifted and wise.
28. Abandon harsh language.
29. Be sharp and quick to cut the root of arrogance and stupidity.
30. Dedicate all success to the benefit of others.
July 7, 2015
While Buddhist teachings have provided me with a framework within which I can approach my experience with a new set of eyes and at least the direction towards the principles it asks me to adhere to, one of the difficulties I have always found has been the translation of those principles into the unfolding occurrences of my everyday life. For it is within that context that the habitual thinking and response is always triggered and I so often find myself back pedaling in order to rearrange what is going on in my head and to redirect my energies towards a better end than is my won't to pursue. This book relates Buddhist teaching and meditation practice, the experience and the principles that arise from the path to the world of "doing" as a leader. While I have had that role at imps during my life in situations that ranged from the military to business, and despite the fact that I was often seen as skilled in that way, I never really understood what it was all about and how could I? Particularly given the training and the context. All drawn from a discursive, divided,competitive world complete antipathy to the Buddhist way of approaching things.
Reading the book I watched my years of practice , what I had learned and what I had experienced reflected in the mirror of my experience in leadership positions. If there is a criticism I have of the book it is that it would be experience as just superficial babble if the reader had no experience in either field but with some experience in either there exists a bridge for the assimilation of a very practical and useful message.
I found the section on contemplation particularly helpful as a "How to" since I spend so much time now in this activity. The book clarified not only my experience but sharpened my approach. I can see immediately how the approach outlined here will serve me greatly. Another door opening. I recommend this book to anyone with and interest in spiritual practice and life, one is after all the other. Unless of course we remain caught in the delusion that some other view applies. The consequence of that delusion is readily visible in the political and economic landscape of the day.
Reading the book I watched my years of practice , what I had learned and what I had experienced reflected in the mirror of my experience in leadership positions. If there is a criticism I have of the book it is that it would be experience as just superficial babble if the reader had no experience in either field but with some experience in either there exists a bridge for the assimilation of a very practical and useful message.
I found the section on contemplation particularly helpful as a "How to" since I spend so much time now in this activity. The book clarified not only my experience but sharpened my approach. I can see immediately how the approach outlined here will serve me greatly. Another door opening. I recommend this book to anyone with and interest in spiritual practice and life, one is after all the other. Unless of course we remain caught in the delusion that some other view applies. The consequence of that delusion is readily visible in the political and economic landscape of the day.
January 22, 2016
"No matter how hard we try to keep our jobs and careers on track, they just don’t seem to cooperate—they constantly misbehave. One minute we are on our way to a promotion, and the next we are being transferred to Antarctica. Or maybe our boss has closed the largest sale in the history of the company and, as she basks in the glory, asks us to manage the account. We’re enthused and ready for the challenge, but we find that she failed to bid it properly, and now we’re accountable for a project that will be lucky to break even."
"Such mishaps occur frequently, and we all know the score. And with today’s job losses and business failures, the list of unruly possibilities seems endless," points out my friend, Michael Carroll, writing in the magazine, Tricycle. But if we can stay awake, then we can cope so much more effectively with such vicissitudes. Michael's book, The Mindful Leader: Awakening Your Natural Management Skills Through Mindfulness Meditationis a must have for successful and happy entrepreneurs.
"Such mishaps occur frequently, and we all know the score. And with today’s job losses and business failures, the list of unruly possibilities seems endless," points out my friend, Michael Carroll, writing in the magazine, Tricycle. But if we can stay awake, then we can cope so much more effectively with such vicissitudes. Michael's book, The Mindful Leader: Awakening Your Natural Management Skills Through Mindfulness Meditationis a must have for successful and happy entrepreneurs.
January 23, 2009
I found this book interesting, though many of its concepts are found in different leadership and self improvement books. The basic idea of this book, I found, was to be willing to be open, caring, and humble when leading others and you will inspire them to be the same. Even if you aren't particularly interested in meditation and self reflection, this books offers pearls of wisdom for anyone striving to be a good leader.
March 22, 2008
"More often that not, seeking success for ourselves proves pointless and shallow, whereas seeking success and inspiration for others almost always delivers prosperity and well-being right into our hands." - quote from introduction which I think will be the cornerstone of the entire book and one that I strive to live by.
August 13, 2008
I was expecting more specific tips about being a mindful leader, but most of what I got was about being mindful in general. No problem though, mindfulness does transcend the specific narratives we concoct and to which we get attached. The practice of mindfulness is a generalized skill immensely applicable to each and every moment.
April 6, 2016
Interesting read by Michael Carroll on the making of mindful leaders. Sometimes he veers away from work situations but the strategies he brings forth and the ideas are sound in making a more mindful approach to our days. He speaks of Buddhism and mindfulness in such a connected to the past way while making it accessible to the present world.
April 3, 2015
I listened to this on audio and the narrator was terrific. I thought he sounded Bill Clinton-esque; a soft southern accent with lots of charisma. The book was a bit different than I expected, but I did enjoy it. It was very "zen" and basically reminds you to slow down, stop and smell the flowers, and to let it go.
September 30, 2008
The author relates how his practice of Buddhism has influenced him as a leader.He shares his philosophy of living a more mindful life. Good stuff.
June 20, 2012
If you want to learn about yourself, then it is the must to read this book.
March 4, 2013
What a great idea to apply the principles of Buddhism to work. Practical and insightful.
November 12, 2013
Filled with good recommendation and examples for bringing mindfulness to leadership.
July 11, 2014
especially mindful! I ought to own it.
March 2, 2016
For leaders and supporting staff, Michael Carroll speaks on peace and consciousness through negative workplace vibration.
June 14, 2018
This book was written by a HR Leader, and as a fellow HR professional I can easily see how my practice fits and improves my chosen career path. It aids:
- the ability to sit comfortably with uncomfortable emotions and topics
- the ability to really listen without chatter, opinions and distractions going on in your brain which creates much more quality interactions.
- in HR we deal with lots of very human problems and mindfulness gives you a lot more patience, perspective and peace for each situation no matter how messy it might be.
- the ability to sit comfortably with uncomfortable emotions and topics
- the ability to really listen without chatter, opinions and distractions going on in your brain which creates much more quality interactions.
- in HR we deal with lots of very human problems and mindfulness gives you a lot more patience, perspective and peace for each situation no matter how messy it might be.
October 22, 2018
this sucked. Ten principles? Not really, ten fuzzy areas of self reflection.
I thought it'd bring mindfulness to the workplace and give concrete examples, but its just a normal mindfulness book attempting to say the word leadership every now and then.
I actually thought at some points he was trying to hypnotise me to his thought process rather than logically explain.
On my journey of reading leadership books this was an interesting but disappointing detour.
I thought it'd bring mindfulness to the workplace and give concrete examples, but its just a normal mindfulness book attempting to say the word leadership every now and then.
I actually thought at some points he was trying to hypnotise me to his thought process rather than logically explain.
On my journey of reading leadership books this was an interesting but disappointing detour.
March 5, 2020
Not the best book on mindfulness and not the best book on leadership, and the two together are sometimes linked well but sometimes the link is a bit forced. The book is also a bit dated and hasn't aged well in terms of talking about business in the early 2000s. I took a few things from it but overall I wouldn't recommend this book.
June 7, 2018
I read it as an audiobook - read by the author, which was only ok. It was read intelligently but the author's voice wasn't distinct. He sounds a little adenoidal.
The book itself is worthwhile. I'm considering getting the physical version for future reference.
The book itself is worthwhile. I'm considering getting the physical version for future reference.
April 24, 2023
Generally an easy read with simple concepts to grasp onto. There’s a lot on medication and incorporating those practices into your work life but there’s a lot to take from the book even if you don’t want to meditate.
September 17, 2018
I was unable to follow the reasoning in this book. It seemed to arbitrarily connect meditation exercise with workplace success.
August 21, 2016
Great advice for mindful leading, reinforces characteristics of leading I like, eg. Understanding current culture before trying to shift. Also great six steps for contemplation.
February 22, 2016
Plenty of things to think about and do.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews