Mindfulness meditation and yoga are widely practiced, but the benefits extend beyond personal well-being, especially at work – particularly through the practice of mindful communication. By being mentally in the present moment, employees have greater clarity in conversations and limit multitasking. Being more thoughtful about tone of voice, developing empathy, and adopting a non-threatening communication style can strengthen relationships with teammates, customers, and vendors.
Mindful communication practice applies the principles of mindfulness to the way we communicate with others. These mindfulness principles include setting intentions, being present, giving undivided attention through active listening, awareness, a mindful approach, remaining open and non-judgmental, and relating to others with compassion.
Mindfulness practices can set team members up for success in future social interactions, such as when preparing for a difficult or important conversation, according to the study, “Your Presence is Requested: Mindfulness Infusion in Workplace Interactions and Relationships.”
Mindful communication in the workplace is a powerful tool for fostering understanding and collaboration. By encouraging active listening and thoughtful responses, team members can stay present and respectful, reducing misunderstandings and building genuine connections.
“Mindfulness seems to address important issues organizations and employees are struggling with in a time of attention overload, multitasking, and stressors from increasingly complex work arrangements and 24/7 connectivity.” — Jochen Reb, Tammy Allen, and Timothy J. Vogus, published in the July 2020 issue of “Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes”
By utilizing proper training and embracing mindfulness, employees can experience positive effects, including improved focus, energy, and the ability to give their team members and projects full attention, significantly boosting productivity. Here are several practical ways to bring mindfulness into a hectic workday.
When the form of communication is around an event, like a meeting or presentation, the first step is to set the intentions for the conversation. Writing the intentions down or starting a Word document is helpful. Being prepared mentally guides difficult conversations and reduces stress. Here are several examples:
2. Be fully present.
In today's digital age, where the constant temptation to check phones, social media, and emails often distracts employees, staying fully present and actively listening has become a significant challenge — especially when communicating.
During conversations or meetings:
3. Remain open.
When setting intentions, ensure everyone involved in the conversations remains open and non-judgmental. The conversation should be a safe space for team members to talk openly.
Effective communication and mutual respect are key to fostering team cohesion and ensuring smooth collaboration among team members. As leaders, it’s especially important to encourage teams to connect the dots, think strategically, and contribute ideas, rather than take orders. Teams need to know leaders are open to new ideas and perspectives both in difficult day-to-day conversations and formal meetings.
When pitching a complex initiative, research all background details. Be prepared and think through any roadblocks. Stay open to new ideas or constructive criticism that could contribute to achieving the goal.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the fast pace of day-to-day expectations and forget about the human being doing the work. Building relationships with teammates, customers, and vendors based on mutual respect, empathy, compassion, and consideration is important.
Managers’ tones can still be assertive when driving timelines, but they can also express gratitude along the way. Communicating with emotional intelligence (EQ) is a real asset. EQ includes awareness of your moods and the moods of others and an understanding of other’s goals. Employees who communicate with emotional intelligence can effectively navigate communication challenges and relate with compassion.
Mindfulness training enhances interpersonal communication skills, fostering interpersonal relationships and promoting employee well-being. Organizations will experience more effective team collaboration and conflict resolution, leading to a more harmonious, productive, and supportive environment.
HSI offers employees a library of off-the-shelf content that puts related training video- and article-based courses at their fingertips. Mindfulness practice in conversation is a category of training that will provide learners with effective communication skills in both their personal and professional life. In addition, ongoing training has been proven to increase job satisfaction.
Here’s an array of training topics around mindful communication.
“Workplace mindfulness is not only positively related to job performance, but also predictive of the degree to which individuals are attached to their employer.” — Eric Dane and Bradley J. Brummel, scholars in organizational behavior and psychology
Contact HSI for a consultation to learn how HSI can help.