Mindful in 5 Podcast

Inspire by Example

September 16, 2024 • Spiwe Jefferson • Season 4 • Episode 142

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Can embodying joyful leadership transform your work environment into a harmonious haven? Join me, Spiwa Jefferson, as we explore this powerful concept in this episode of Mindful in 5. We’ll delve into the practice of the joyful leadership mirror, where you’ll learn to take a mindful pause, envision an admired leadership quality, and commit to one cheerful action each day. By seeking constant feedback and focusing on personal growth, you'll discover how self-awareness plays a pivotal role in successful leadership. Begin your day with introspection to set a positive tone and inspire your team with peaceful confidence.

In the latter part of our discussion, we highlight the ripple effect of leading with peaceful intention and cheerful energy. This approach can foster unparalleled clarity and support within your team, creating a more harmonious and productive work environment. Commit to practicing mindfulness throughout the week and reflect on the positive changes it brings. For more resources, including a signed copy of my book and journal, visit spewayjefferson.com. Don’t miss out on joining our LinkedIn Mindful in 5 group to share your experiences and insights. Let's inspire each other to lead with joyful clarity and mindful purpose!


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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Mindful in 5, where busy professionals find your peaceful oasis to thrive in complex work environments. I am Spiwa Jefferson attorney, certified mindfulness practitioner and author of the Mindful in 5 book series. Here to guide you to a clearer, softer and more supported life. Join me and your fellow Mindful Ninjas as we explore science-backed mindfulness strategies for successful leaders that you can implement, starting with just five minutes a day. Elevate your work, empower your life, work higher, live stronger. Let's go. Do you find your leadership style lacking the peaceful influence needed to truly inspire your team? A clouded approach to leadership can leave your team feeling unsupported, dimming the cheerful atmosphere that fosters innovation and growth.

Speaker 1:

Today, the title of our episode is Inspire by Example. We are exploring how to lead by example with clarity and joy, creating a more harmonious work environment. And if you're wondering about the cute kids in imagery, this season we are embracing the beginner's mind by channeling childlike qualities trust, openness, authenticity, creativity, resilience and optimism to transform our mindfulness practice and daily lives. Let our playful cover art inspire you to approach each day with fresh eyes and an open heart. If you want to hear more about this concept of the beginner's mind, tune in to our very first kickoff episode for season five for more on this topic. So back to today's topic. Imagine guiding your team with a calm, clear presence, inspiring them through your actions and fostering a joyful, supportive atmosphere. By embodying the qualities you wish to see, you can transform your leadership and create a softer, more positive impact.

Speaker 1:

And, by the way, I have a team and even as I'm having this conversation with you, I am not declaring victory by any means. These are things that I aspire to myself. I don't know if my team today would say I nailed this every single time. I'm sure I don't. I don't think anybody does, but I actually do plan to ask them, in tandem with this topic, how I am doing as a leader, because this is certainly the leadership style that I aspire to every day. The ways that we can sharpen our focus and do even better is to seek feedback from the people that we work with every day, to see if there are ways that we are nailing this and if there are things that we can improve, even for ourselves. So let's explore a peaceful technique that I call the joyful leadership mirror, and here's how this clear process works.

Speaker 1:

First, wherever you are, let's take a mindful pause, close your eyes and give yourself just a short break. Take three calming breaths to center yourself Inhale, exhale. Settle yourself and make yourself comfortable. Sit with your spine straight, settle into your chair or, if you're standing, settle into your stance. Balance your weight between your two feet and let's take another calming breath. Inhale in and exhale. Third time inhale and exhale.

Speaker 1:

Step two envision a quality of a peaceful, effective leader that you admire. Think of someone whose leadership quality just one you really admire. Visualize it in your mind's eye. See them doing the things that embody that quality, the things that embody that quality. Step three reflect on how you can embody this quality more clearly in your work. Visualize yourself taking on this approach that they have. Step four commit to one action that demonstrates this quality cheerfully today. Just one action. What can you do today to demonstrate this quality cheerfully that you admire? And now you can open your eyes. Research shows that this type of mindful leadership can significantly improve team harmony and create a more supportive work environment. For your thought for today, think about this. True leadership isn't about being in charge. It's about illuminating a clear, joyful path for others to follow with peaceful confidence.

Speaker 1:

I love my job. I'm a lawyer. I've been a lawyer for 30 some odd years now, and there is no other profession that I would prefer to be in. I love the work that I do every day. I enjoy the people that I work with every day and I enjoy working with my team, and so we laugh, we exchange, you know, lighthearted. I send them songs from time to time that come to my mind in the context of work, some of which are funny and some of which are just earworms that they're like ah great, I can't get that out of my mind now, but we have fun. We have fun in the job that we do every day. So here's your cheerful challenge for the week Practice the joyful leadership mirror daily. Practice the joyful leadership mirror daily. Notice how it brings a softer, more inspiring energy to your interactions with your team. Are you ready to elevate your leadership and create a more peaceful, supportive work culture culture.

Speaker 1:

You can find a series of free and paid downloads at spewardjeffersoncom. You can also access them in the notes for this podcast, and they will include exercises that will help you develop your authentic leadership style, techniques for fostering a cheerful team atmosphere, strategies for clear communication and multi-day challenges to cultivate a more peaceful and inspiring leadership habit. Click the link in the show notes to get access to your copies and start your journey towards becoming a clearer, more joyful leader today. Remember, great leadership begins with self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth.

Speaker 1:

For those of you who are God lovers, you know that introspection when you sit down with God in the morning. I prefer to do it in the morning. You can also do it at night, but I like to do it in the morning because it helps me set the tone for my day ahead. And even if I'm running late, even if all I have is five minutes to sit down with the Lord and just lay before Him my schedule for the day. What are the three big things that I want to accomplish today? I always find it insightful and incredibly helpful. By approaching your role with peaceful intention and cheerful energy, you can create a ripple effect of clarity and support throughout your team. So until next week, go and try that, and this is Speedway saying be mindful and be well.

Speaker 2:

Thank you for listening to Mindful in 5. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend, follow and rate it on your favorite podcast platform. Pick up your signed copy of the book and journal from spewayjeffersoncom, or unsigned copies from Amazon, barnes, noble or wherever you get your books. Visit spewayjeffersoncom to download sample chapters of the book, watch videos and become a mindful ninja. Join us on the LinkedIn Mindful in 5 group and share your thoughts. Until next time, be mindful and be well.