MINDFULNESS IN COACHING AND MENTORING AN INTERACTIVE SESSION IN EXPLORING HOW MINDFULNESS CAN BE USED IN YOUR COACHING AND MENTORING PRACTICE. Lis Merrick 05 July 2012

So what is Mindfulness? A sense of focused, non-judgmental attention on the present Originated as a spiritual practice in Buddhist teaching In recent years has been adopted by Western psychology

Definitions of Mindfulness “Paying attention on purpose moment by moment without judging” Jon Kabat-Zinn 1992 “A state of active awareness characterised by the continual creation and refinement of categories, an openness to new information, and a willingness to view contexts from multiple perspectives.” Langer 1989 Or “Mindlessness” “The routine set of processes that people follow in their lives without thinking.” Langer 2000

Mindfulness can contribute to: Physiological benefits: blood pressure (McCraty, 2003) and immune system (Rein & McCraty, 1995) Psychological benefits: job satisfaction and vision (Kriger & Hanson, 1999), emotional awareness and interpersonal sensitivity (Shefy & Sadler-Smith, 2006) and learning (Yeganeh, 2006)

Mindfulness can contribute to: Business performance: –Safety culture (Hopkins, 2002) –Conflict resolution (Riskin, 2004) –Creativity (Langer & Piper, 1987) –Decision making (Fiol & O’Connor, 2003) –Safer way of working and better outcomes (Weick & Sutcliffe, 2001)

S O L ET ’ S HAVE A GO !!

Mindfulness can be cultivated Awareness – increase sensitivity to recognise internal and external systems and stimuli Attention – Focus Time – being in ‘the now’ Acceptance – ability to ‘let go’ and be non-judgmental

S O L ET ’ S BE A WARE …

Practicing Mindfulness in Coaching Preparing for Coaching Maintaining focus in coaching, being aware of what is happening in the session Remaining emotionally detached Sharing mindfulness techniques with coachees

Positive Emotion Techniques (which can be used in a “mindful way”) Noticing positive emotions in words, tone or non-verbal communication Auto-biographical memory Strengths Savouring Go outside Meditation or prayer

A UTO - BIOGRAPHICAL M EMORY

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