Mindful Champion Mindful Workplace

Joel B. Bennett, PhD Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems

Lindsay Simone (commentator) Designed Wellness, American Council of Engineering Companies

Most approaches to mindfulness are geared toward the individual level and not the social or community level to which traditional mindfulness methods were targeted.

It is not only about our own personal growth but the enlightenment of the community as a whole.

We are never separate. And this insight is fundamental for any

effective wellbeing effort (workplace or otherwise).

This experiential webinar will feature a cursory overview of mindfulness (definition, measurement, practices)

You are invited to complete surveys about your own mindfulness to help ground our conversation.

We will contemplate seven different ways in which wellness champions can show up in a mindful way within the social context (community or sangha) of their work setting.

Th e V a lu es Cla r i f ier • Your Cause, Calling, or Legacy

Th e In t en t ion a l Cen t er er • Breathe…Breathe…Breathe

Th e Heedf u l R ela t er • Loving Kindness

Th e Com pass ion a t e Nu dger • Mindfully Encourage

Th e K n ow er o f Im pact • Integrity, Foresight, Social Contagion

Th e Gar n er er o f Tr u s t • We are One

Th e Th r iv er • All Stress is Grist for the Mill

Mindfulness Definition (recent) • Inherent human capacity • Both process and outcome • A way of being • Awareness that emerges when we pay attention to our experience in a

particular way; intentionally, in the present moment, with curiosity, acceptance, and kindness, and non-judgmentally

• An embodied practice that recognizes the interconnection of the mind-body system with an anchored awareness that returns to the breath and present moment

Burke, C. (2013). An Exploration of the Effects of Mindfulness Training and Practice in Association with Enhanced Wellbeing for Children and Adolescents. In Wellbeing : A Complete Reference Guide, Volume 6. F. A. Huppert & C.l. Cooper (Eds)

• Mindfulness meditation establishes the distinction between the observer and the observed.

• Through the realization of the transiency of all mind content, it brings about a subsidence of desire for sensory and emotional phenomena and,

• Finally, an almost disappearance of mind content (primary purpose) – strengthening the Observer

• The other benefits of mindfulness – calm, physical health, stress reduction – are relatively trivial and can lessen its effectiveness for its primary purpose.

Mindfulness Definition (older)

“The term “mindfulness” is used to refer to an extraordinarily wide range of phenomena ranging from mindfulness as a state, to mindfulness as a trait and finally mindfulness as an independent variable, that is, something that is manipulated in an experiment” Dav idson , R . J . (2010). Em pir ica l ex p lor a t ion s o f m in df u ln ess : con cep t u a l an d m et h odologica l con u n dr u m s . Em ot ion .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tRdDqXgsJ0

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-12-01/ellen_langer_mindfulness_and_the_power_of_thought

What is your interest in this webinar? (check all that apply)

1) I have a mindfulness practice

2) I am a wellness champion

3) Personal interest in being mindful at work

4) Professional interest in bringing mindfulness to work

5) I seek enlightenment

Dispositional Mindfulness*

*Items adapted from Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. (2006). Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1), 27-45. - Instrument seen multiple

adaptations and cited in close to 2000 publications – correlates with wellbeing

a quick exploratory non-scientific survey (do not use to self-diagnose)

I perceive my feelings and emotions without having to react to them. Usually when I have distressing thoughts or images, I am able just to notice them without reacting.

Factor 1: Nonreactivity to Inner Experience

“ Yes” t o bot h ?

I pay attention to sensations, such as the wind in my hair or sun on my face. I notice changes in my body, such as whether my breathing slows down or speeds up.

Factor 2: Observing & Noticing

“ Yes” t o bot h ?

I rush through activities without being really attentive to them. I find it difficult to stay focused on what’s happening in the present.

Factor 3: Acting with awareness vs. Automatic Pilot

“ No” t o bot h ?

I’m good at finding the words to describe my feelings. Even when I’m feeling terribly upset, I can find a way to put it into words.

Factor 4: Describing/Labeling with words

“ Yes” t o bot h ?

I think some of my emotions are bad or inappropriate and I shouldn’t feel them. I make judgments about whether my thoughts are good or bad.

Factor 5: Non-judging of experience

“ No” t o bot h ?

Overall, how mindful are you?

Overall, how mindful are you? (Check all that apply based on previous slides - e.g., Yes to both).

Check All That Apply

I am nonreactive to Inner Experience (e.g., just notice)

I Notice and Observe (e.g., sensations)

I act with Awareness, not automatic pilot

I Describe/Label experience with words

I am Non-judging of experience

I am nonreactive to Inner Experience

I Notice and Observe (e.g., sensations)

I act with Awareness, not automatic pilot

I Describe/Label experience with words

I am Non-judging of experience

INTRA-PERSONAL

I don’t let others upset me; other’s stress and negativity are their issue

I pay attention to nonverbal and emotion cues of others & work with such cues to meet others

I listen well (not thinking what I will say next); not a “knee jerk” talker, blurter (distracted)

I label the feelings and opinions I have of others and can let them go

I remain open-minded & non judging of others

INTER-PERSONAL

Interpersonal Mindfulness has 7 Champion Embodiments

Anyone* who has a role† to play:

fostering cultural conditions that lead to improved health and well-being amongst staff and the worksite as a whole in facilitating the implementation of a wellness or prevention program; engaging participants in that program;

Champion

*internal or external; formal or informal; selected or volunteered; Professionally trained or line-level

† Sparkplug, ambassadors, advocates, coordinators

R ev iew Each

1. Core of Observer

2. Traits

3. References

4. Self-Reflections

R ev iew Each

1. Core of Observer

2. Traits

3. References

4. Self-Reflections

As a champion, there is a four step-process for embodying interpersonal mindfulness 1) Practice in daily mind body routines 2) Intend to show-up mindfully in relations 3) Fit those intentions with your work role 4) Monitor micro-climates you interact with*

*assumes you are a champion and are EMBEDDED to some degree in the social climate

Values Clarifier

A Sense of Your Cause, Calling, or

Legacy

• Sense of right action (do the right thing) • Values guided behavioral skills • Appealing to principles and virtues • Work is inspired by higher values & purpose • Self-reflection, balance, humility in the service of a higher good

Values Clarifier I reflect on my life values.

I am fulfilling my values through my work.

I share values of wellbeing with my coworkers. A Sense of Your Cause, Calling, or

Legacy

Intentional Centerer

Breathe Breathe Breathe

• Commitment to regular practice • Returning to mindful state throughout daily activities • Able to main an “observer” mind-set in business transactions • Access to “inner” tools to remain centered • Mindful of breath, sensations, surroundings

I practice mindfulness (centering) regularly.

I can stay calm and centered at work.

I am centered in my interactions with coworkers.

Intentional Centerer

Breathe Breathe Breathe

Heedful Relater

Loving Kindness

• A sense that we are contributing to life, happiness, others wellbeing • Access to states of compassion, sympathetic joy, for others • Applying this sense and these states in our daily interactions • Making skillful communication a priority (not hurtful) • Working at both the gut-level and the heart-level

I experience feelings of kindness/compassion.

I can empathize with difficulties of coworkers.

My team communicates well with each other.

Heedful Relater

Loving Kindness

Compassionate

Nudger

Mindfully Encourage

• Aware of specific steps to take when approaching others • Knows difference between confrontational & supportive • Seeks first to listen and gradually engage at level of readiness • Practices “interpersonal” mindfulness qualities in interaction • Maintains a realistic and sincere tone of encouragement

I know resources for mental health needs (EAP).

I am comfortable expressing my concerns to those experiencing stress.

I encourage others at work to get help if needed.

Compassionate

Nudger

Mindfully Encourage

Knower of Impact

Integrity, Foresight, Social Contagion

• Mindful of local social networks, friendships, and peers of peers • Aware of own perceptual biases that can mislead • Thoughtful of how words and actions have ripple effects • Seeks to enhance positive ripple effect via role modeling • Understand your contribution, be open to feedback, adjust

I measure my words before I speak.

I am aware of the impact my acts have on others.

Members of my team have a positive impact on each other.

Knower of Impact

Integrity, Foresight, Social Contagion

Garnerer of Trust

We are one

• Works to avoid & dismantle silos, terrain, or turf in work culture • Focus is on “one team, one vision, one success” (see Lencioni) • Trust x Purpose = Joy (see Zak) • Seeks every opportunities for face-to-face interactions to build trust • Make building trust explicit (you can count on me) (see Covey)

Garnerer of Trust

We are one

I think about what is best for the team.

I do my best to gain others trust.

People on my team feel a sense of belonging.

Which THREE mindful champion types do you most identify with?

(Select up to three)

Values Clarifier

The Intentional Centerer

The Heedful Relater or Compassionate Nudger

The Knower of Impact

The Garnerer of Trust

The Thriver

All Stress is Grist for the Mill

• Practices resilience in the face of stress (confidence, centering) • Sees the hidden opportunities in adversity and crisis • Patient with negative states & attitudes/balanced with joyfulness • Ability to relax ego and go with the flow • Embraces some aspect of spirituality in one’s work

The Thriver

All Stress is Grist for the Mill

I experience joy and fulfillment.

I am inspired and vitalized by the work I do.

My workplace is an exciting place to be.

Reflecting on the three items for the Thriver, how much are you a Thriver in your work?

• Rarely

• Sometimes

• Often

• Very Often

• Every day

Up your thrive

quotient!

Review

Definitions Intrapersonal Interpersonal Champion

Action Steps

• Explore mindfulness or enhance current practice

• Cultivate interpersonal mindfulness

• Focus on one of the 7 embodiments to cultivate, read, and practice in that area

• Check out any of the books or resources and consider a book club at work

What is your intention in applying ideas and insights reviewed in this webinar?

(check all that apply) I learned nothing new to apply

I will begin/enhance my personal mindfulness practice

I will be a mindful champion via one of the 7 types

I will up my thrive quotient

Apply? Apply? I am already enlightened!

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Competency-Based Wellness Champion Certification Training Webinar-Based, Six Sessions, Starts February 11, earn up to 22 CEU

Joel Bennett, PhD

President, Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems

Michaela Conley, MA, MCHES, CSMS

President, HpLive.org & HPCareer.Net

Lindsay Simone, MA, CHES Manager of Wellness Programs ACEC Life/Health Trust

Michael Arloski,

PhD, PCC, CWP

CEO & Founder at Real Balance Global Wellness Services

Laura Putnam, MA

CEO and founder of Motion Infusion, Inc.,

Sharon Soldano

BBA

Manager, WorkLife, Wellness & Recognition at

MD Anderson Cancer Center

FOUNDATIONS DESIGN & STAFF

ENGAGEMENT

Well-Being, Culture

& Intrinsic Motives

COACHING: DAILY,

INFORMAL, ONGOING

Coaching the culture

with champions

COMMUNICATION

& CULTURE

Touch points, Peer

support, Climate

2 3 4 5 Your Hosts

1

6

INTRODUCTION: YOUR PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CELEBRATION

Start here

Finish here

Tabatha Elsberry, CHES, CWS Health Fitness Program Manager Northwestern Energy

Joel Bennett

• learn@organizationalwellness.com

• 817.921.4260

• @orgwellness

Lindsay Simone

• Lindsay@aceclifehealthtrust.com • (469) 200-4583