Mindful Leadership: The 9 Ways to Self–Awareness, Transforming Yourself, and Inspiring Others

Praise for Mindful Leadership "Whether I was running a multi–billion–dollar company or a start–up, I thought I was doing everyone a favor by multi–tasking. I actually believed I was one of the few that could do it well. Maria′s insight and approach have made me realize that I was a distracted and inefficient leader who created stress for both myself and those I led. This book is a must–read for anyone in a position of leadership or a position to impact others in small organizations or large." — Alek Krstajic , CEO of Public Mobile (and former President of Bell Mobility) " Mindful Leadership approaches the subject of leadership and decision–making from an unusual perspective. The insights are practical and useful; the techniques, which are both simple and complex at the same time, are laid out clearly and in fascinating detail." — Greig Woodring , President & CEO, Reinsurance Group of America "Make no mistake about it: this book is a gift. A gift to all busy leaders, managers, and individuals who wish to make a difference for themselves and, above all, for those around them. Looking beyond the razor–edge of Key Performance Indicators and hard outcomes, it deals with changing the way one looks at leadership, bringing authenticity and values to the fore, and achieving more for all in the process. Management meets meditation to provide something simply awesome and awe–inspiring for those fortunate enough to read this and be open to its wisdom. It′s a much needed new way of living and thinking, like a breath of fresh air to chase those blue cobwebs away from our minds, recharge our energy, and add gracious purpose to our lives. Thank you!" — Sandra Macleod , FIPR, CCIM, GCE, Echo Research (U.K.)

Acknowledgments xi Part 1 – Mindfulness Chapter 1: Overview 3 Chapter 2: An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation 13 Chapter 3: Mindfulness Techniques 34 Chapter 4: Five Hindrances that Impede Success 63 Chapter 5: Discovering Your Life Purpose 76 Part 2 – Mindful Leadership Chapter 6: Be Present 93 Chapter 7: Be Aware 107 Chapter 8: Be Calm 117 Chapter 9: Be Focused 127 Chapter 10: Be Clear 133 Chapter 11: Be Equanimous 142 Chapter 12: Be Positive 152 Chapter 13: Be Compassionate 164 Chapter 14: Be Impeccable 174 Chapter 15: Nine Ways Forward 184 Endnotes 189 Bibliography 193 Index 195 About the Author 199

Maria Gonzalez , bcom, mba, is a 30–year business veteran as a corporate executive and entrepreneur who believes that mindfulness transforms lives and organizations, and that it has the potential to transform society. She has been meditating regularly since 1991 and teaching mindfulness since 2002. She applies mindfulness to all aspects of her life, both personally and professionally. As founder and president of Argonauta Strategic Alliances Consulting Inc., she ensures that mindfulness is indistinguishable from her business, whether negotiating complex strategic alliances, doing strategy consulting, or coaching business leaders, professionals, entire teams, or organizations in mindful leadership. Maria has taught strategy and organization development at McGill University′s Desautels Faculty of Management. Over the last two decades she has served on numerous boards and has been a member of the Corporate Advisory Board for the Harvard Medical School–MacArthur Foundation′s study on depression and workplace performance. Having served as a founding member and vice–chair of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addictions and Mental Health, she knows the toll that stress can take on individuals, organizations, and society. Mindful Leadership is Maria′s second book. She is the coauthor of the award–winning The Mindful Investor (Wiley, 2010). You can visit her online at www.argonautaconsulting.com and read her blog at www.argonautaconsulting.com/blog.