.png){kind=logo}
The Power of Consciousness: How Meditation Can Transform Your Business Strategy
Christian Burgos
March 12, 2023
Why are business leaders embracing meditation rather than, say, massage or ping-pong? Is it because there’s something to meditation that appears to benefit CEOs more than recreation or relaxation do alone. In this article we’ll explore the benefits of meditation and how to successfully implement it in your company.
In recent years, the interest in meditation has surged exponentially, and for good reason. Meditation is a practice that cultivates a state of heightened awareness and consciousness by focusing attention on the present moment. It is a mental exercise that trains the mind to be more attentive, focused, and present. [1]
Research suggests that meditation offers a wide range of practical benefits, such as: [1]
Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving emotional regulation
Fostering better relationship
.png)
The benefits of meditation for CEOs are numerous and scientifically proven. Meditation has proven to be an effective tool for CEOs to develop their leadership skills, enhance their negotiation outcomes, and cope with daily interruptions. Moreover, meditation helps CEOs regulate emotions, allowing them to become more resilient under stress. [2]
Meditation also improves relationships by promoting empathy, kindness, and compassion. It helps individuals to develop a greater sense of connection to others and the world around them. Research suggests that when we are in a relaxed state of mind, we are more likely to experience "eureka" moments, allowing for more divergent thinking, which is essential for creativity. [2]
Furthermore, meditation is useful in improving focus, a crucial skill for any CEO. With the constant barrage of text messages, phone calls, and emails, it can be challenging to stay focused. Meditation has been shown to help individuals curb their tendency to become distracted, allowing for a more productive and efficient workday. [2]
.png)
Mobile and wearable technology now offers new avenues for technology-supported meditation practice and learning. The emergence of numerous stand-alone mobile applications has made guided meditation practice accessible to everyone, irrespective of location or physical barriers. [3][4]
Here are the top 3 meditation apps that CEOs can use to harness the power of meditation:
1. Muse
Muse offers neurofeedback-assisted meditation, allowing meditators to focus on a specific object or sensation, such as breathing. The portable headband and app have been shown to reduce somatic symptoms, improve cognitive performance, and enhance attention. [4]
2. Headspace
Headspace is a leading mobile application that provides guided meditation practice. It offers a range of courses for different levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Corporate interest in providing employee access to meditation practices via the app has grown by 500 percent during the pandemic. [1]
3. Calm
Calm is another popular app that offers Mindfulness Meditation (MM) to buffer the effects of workplace stress. A preliminary study involving one IT employee suggests that use of an MM app during the workday could be an effective and practical way for employees to deal with stress. [3]
.png)
If you are a CEO looking to implement meditation in your business strategy, there are several things to consider. Here are 5 tips to help you get started:
1. Start Small
Begin with a small pilot program to test the waters and see how your employees respond to meditation. You can gradually expand the program if it proves successful.
2. Offer Different Options
Not everyone will respond to the same type of meditation. Provide a variety of options, such as guided meditation, silent meditation, and walking meditation.
3. Make It Accessible
Consider providing meditation resources to your employees, such as a quiet meditation room or access to meditation apps.
4. Encourage Participation
Promote your meditation program through company-wide announcements, email campaigns, and team meetings.
5. Measure Success
Use surveys, interviews, and performance metrics to measure the success of your meditation program. This data can help you adjust and improve the program over time.
.png)
Meditation is a powerful tool that can transform your business strategy. By implementing a meditation program, CEOs can improve their own performance and that of their employees, leading to greater productivity, creativity, and success. With the increasing availability of technology-supported meditation practices, there has never been a better time to begin your meditation journey. So why not give it a try? Your business—and your mind—will thank you.
.png)
[1] MASTERS-WAAGE, T. C., PETERS, E. K., & REB, J. (2021). Helping organisations excel, one breath at a time: A meditation toolkit for business leaders.
[2] Seppälä, E. (2017). How meditation benefits CEOs. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr. org/2015/12/how-meditation-benefits-ceos. Accessed, 17.
[3] Houli, D., & Radford, M. (2020). An exploratory study using mindfulness meditation apps to buffer workplace technostress and information overload. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 57(1), e373.
[4] Hunkin, H., King, D. L., & Zajac, I. T. (2021). EEG neurofeedback during focused attention meditation: Effects on state mindfulness and meditation experiences. Mindfulness, 12, 841-851.
