I’m in the thick of studying group dynamics, and recently came across an academic learning concept that rarely comes up in corporate conversations about leadership, team growth, and development: mindfulness.
Not in the trendy, buzzword sense… but in the behavioral sense: embracing non-judgment, patience, trust, acceptance, non-striving, gratitude…
The academic literature shows that mindfulness plays a meaningful role in how teams function, learn, and grow—ultimately shaping overall organizational development.
And yet… this concept can feel completely out of sync with today’s corporate environment.
Most professionals I know are operating at breakneck speed—asked to do more with less, remain constantly responsive, and quickly navigate ongoing, unprecedented change. By definition, that’s striving.
Which is why the idea of non-striving can feel especially counterintuitive.
But if you’re feeling close to burnout or if you’re sensing that your team’s dynamics are off, it might be worth pausing to reflect on mindfulness in action.
🤔 How quickly do you judge others?
😌 How patient are you?
🤝 Do you trust your colleagues?
❤️ Do you genuinely accept that people are learning, growing, and will naturally make mistakes along the way to mastery?
Then, broaden those questions to your team.
Because while we talk a lot about growth, high-performing teams, and leadership in corporate America…we almost never acknowledge, recognize or reward the mindfulness behaviors that quietly enable all three.
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I’m learning about resilience and burnout in real time–connecting dots across leadership, change management, coaching, behavior science and team dynamics. Whether you’re working on your own resilience, or you’re being asked to help your teams, your organizations or your loved ones get better and faster at bouncing back, adapting, and growing, join me as I continue to unpack these topics, and explore healthier ways we can work and lead together.
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Disclaimer: I am not a licensed therapist…just a voracious reader, leader, certified coach, and communications pro who is intensely curious about resilience and burnout and how it’s playing out in our workplaces and lives today. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please seek out a qualified professional.❤️
