Unfortunately, for most of us, the reality is that life doesn’t quite work that way. You know what it’s like: demanding deadlines, the pressure to deliver, constant distractions. The result? Anxiety, stress and an unhealthy workplace. More and more, the importance of being able to calm our minds amidst the chaos is critical if we are to focus our attention and effectively perform at work. For leaders, creating a culture of wellbeing, where people can thrive and flourish, is not only good for business but is at the heart of true leadership.

The World Health Organisation predicts that mental illness will be the leading cause of disability and absence in the workplace by 2030 if it’s not proactively addressed. The Southern Cross Health Society’ Wellness in the Workplace’ survey of 2015 estimates that New Zealand lost approximately 6.7 million working days to absence in 2014. The direct costs of absence alone, most commonly from minor illness, amounted to $1.4 billion across the economy in 2014. It’s estimated that on average, employees have nearly three times as many present days (whereby the employee is ‘at the office’ but not 100% well), as absentee days, resulting in much higher ‘hidden’ costs of poor mental health. The average cost to New Zealand employers of absentee and present days is estimated at over $1,500 per year, per employee.

These are quite sobering statistics for anyone to read. Yes, the world is complex, and we need resilience to cope. But it’s not all doom and gloom. We can build resilience, and complex problems can be easily solved if we are in the right headspace. So, what’s the answer? Mindfulness.

Mindfulness was once viewed as somewhat unconventional for western society. It is the practice of self observation without judgement, with a focus on our minds’ inner voice. As scientific research uncovers the enormous benefits on our wellbeing, it is quickly gaining momentum.

A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology in 2012 revealed that individuals who practised some form of mindfulness experience had significantly less emotional exhaustion and more job satisfaction than individuals who did not. In addition, research conducted by the Institute for Mindful Leadership reveals that when we practice mindfulness, we reduce stress, we’re able to think more creatively, enhance performance and we can increase our emotional intelligence and empathy levels.

Let’s consider the challenges facing you as a leader. How do you go about creating that culture of wellbeing, where people can thrive and flourish? Carley Huack’s (Executive Coach and Founder of Living Well Awake) message to leaders is; “when you create a strong foundation of authenticity, psychological safety, wellbeing, and belonging in the workplace, you alter the atmosphere. You create ease where there was tension. You boost productivity, cultivate self-awareness, maximise effectiveness, increase creativity, enhance teamwork and foster healthy relationships.” Sounds easy right? Leading people is one of the most challenging roles we can take on in life. It takes passion and energy but often, we’re left at the end of each day feeling exhausted. What part does mindfulness play? And can we use mindfulness as a leadership tool?

A 2017 Harvard Business Review research study revealed that when leaders are stressed, their anxiety can be felt across the entire organisation. Only 7% of employees believe that their ‘stressed’ leaders effectively lead teams. With these statistics in mind, it’s relatively easy to see how much we need to nurture the concept of mindful leadership.