Compassion in the Workplace through Mindfulness

05.12.2016

The workplace can be a busy, stressful environment. Managers are often tense – preoccupied with their own workload. And it’s no surprise that an ‘everyone for themselves’ attitude can develop as each person ploughs on with their own agenda. The problem with this scenario, is that we are emotional beings and each person has their own set of personal circumstances that can affect their ability to be productive.

Mindfulness can help bring managers into the present moment, feel more compassion for others and can prevent them from suffering from stress-related burnout.

Why is compassion such an issue in the workplace?

Compassion is about recognising someone is in distress and taking action to help them. Being too busy, and stressed to notice that someone else is suffering, cuts off the opportunity for compassion. In some industries, the financial services sector for example, high levels of stress have become endemic in recent years.

“The hours they work are brutal, the pressure is vertiginously high.” Michael Chaskalson 2014. People can experience crises so significant that it affects their ability to do their job, but that can go unnoticed when colleagues are busy.

The Good Samaritan study by Darley and Batson shows a direct correlation with ‘hurriedness’ and the ability to help others. When we are preoccupied, we don’t notice what’s going on around us - making it difficult to help others in need. With 45% of all sick days in the UK being attributed to stress, it makes sense for businesses to look at ways to help managers  develop and sustain greater compassion for staff. Creating a culture of mindfulness is a great way to improve staff wellbeing and will make sure problems are picked up on and dealt with effectively

How can mindfulness be developed?

Mindfulness encompasses a range of techniques designed to focus a person’s attention on their experience in the present moment, their environment, and those around them. It’s a conscious process worth training in – for personal well being and the wellbeing of the people our actions influence each day. By practicing mindfulness meditation daily, a curiosity about what we are experiencing can be developed. Thoughts and feelings can be recognised as fleeting and then either let go of, or acted upon. With greater choice around their thinking and feeling, managers are better able to act in the best interests of themselves and others.

How can mindfulness be used to develop compassion in the workplace?

A Harvard study showed that after an 8-week mindfulness course, participants had notable changes in the grey matter in the areas of the brain responsible for stress, perceptions of self, and empathy. Meditation helps people to calm their minds and enables them to develop greater awareness and kindness.

By practicing mindfulness, managers can focus better, and deal with their own struggles more effectively. This puts them in a stronger position to be compassionate towards their staff. It can also help them to manage their workloads better, even when dealing with the inevitable crises that regularly crop up.

To learn more about compassion in the workplace, contact michael@mindfulnessworks.com or call (+44) 01223 750660.