All are agreed that 2020 has been a turbulent year across the board. We have been through a lot both in our personal and professional lives, and businesses have been hit significantly. Whilst many businesses have been hit catastrophically by the effects of the pandemic, some have managed to soldier on.

It may look like we are coming out of the woods, however, I think its safe to say that 2021 is going to be tough in a different way. As you reflect on the year that has past, and begin to focus on your business targets for the coming twelve months, consider your colleagues and employees and what is newly important to them in a world that has changed so much so rapidly. No doubt, once you have has your festive break and time to gather your gumption, you will want to hit the beginning of next year with vision and energy.

Your workplace will require more conscious leadership this year, as many require support and patience as they move towards a work life that is closer to what it used to be. Plan for a workplace that is people focused, resilient and productive. Make your business a conscious business in 2021.

1. Put Yourself in Their Shoes

If you are a leader in business, you will likely be focused on ensuring that your business thrives in the new year; that you shake off the difficulties of the past twelve months and ‘get back to business’. However, a conscious business leader will do this whilst giving equal consideration to the people they employ.

When planning how to operate this coming year, consider the position your team is in. Some may be returning to work after some time, and therefore may be nervous or a little rusty; be conscious and kind towards these people. Many people will have altered circumstances now, and may have different work/life balance requirements than they did many months ago; expect this shift. Many people will have fresh concerns about a return to work, so ensure that your are open to anything your colleagues may wish to raise.

2. Consider The New Home Working Norms

Working from home has become widespread this year, and many people will have seen the benefits of it. You may be considering integrating home working into the way that you run your business on a more permanent basis. This shift will be both a good and a not so good thing. Yes, it gives people more flexibility, means that the time and money spent on commuting is diminished and costs businesses less money in rent and power.

However, being productive at home is harder, so you may need to find a way to ensure that productivity does not drop. Also, for many people living alone, work is essential to their wellbeing and resilience as a result of human connection; therefore, a 5-day a week working from home situation is not going to work as well for those individuals. Be mindful of both positive and negative effects of remote employees.

3. Be Attentive to Safety Concerns

Safety is bound to be a concern, certainly in the early days of returning to a workplace post pandemic. Therefore, you must carefully consider not only the safety measures you are going to take, but also the clarity and understanding with which you communicate them to your employees. Be conscious that there will be plenty of communication from nervous colleagues and naysayers. Be rigorous and be patient!

4. Keep Everybody Up to Date

One of the trickiest things about planning anything in 2020 has been the rate and regularity with which the local, national and global situation has changed. Any conscious business leader must entertain the very real possibility that this is likely to continue. Be transparent with your workforce and stay in touch. This will not only ensure that you are complying but will help to foster trust and reassurance between you and your colleagues.

2021 is a new year and a fresh start for many. Success in this year will be largely down to the care with which we plan our endeavours and treat the people around us. Show conscious leadership by planning for a resilient workforce in 2021.

By Chris Thomson

Getting back to work in the new year is bound to require some energy. Here’s how to gather up that energy… How to Get Back into Work in the New Year with Purpose and Passion

P.S. Whenever you are ready… here are 4 ways we can support your personal and professional Conscious Goals:

1. Access Free Live Meditations & Energy Transmissions

Inside our private Facebook Group, The Conscious Professional Mindful Community where Neil leads live weekly community events. Join now for free.

2. Learn To Meditate With Neil Seligman In Just 10 Days!

Zen in Ten, our flagship online course, is a ten-day mindfulness challenge for people who need to slow down.  

3. Work With Neil One-To-One

See if a Conscious Coaching Partnership is right for you. Book a 15-minute discovery call with Neil here.

4. Bring The Conscious Professional To Your Business

See if The Conscious Professional training and coaching programmes are right for your team or workplace. Book a call here.

The Conscious Professional is dedicated to delivering inspiring corporate mindfulness and professional resilience training, conscious leadership coaching and workplace wellbeing services at the level of professional excellence. Thank you for following our blog.

The post Conscious Business Planning for a Resilient Workforce in 2021 appeared first on The Conscious Professional.

Striving to live a mindful life has always involved the art of empathy. Empathy is an important part of being at one with others and for showing kindness and solidarity towards their plights and struggles. The world is a turbulent place right now, with emotions running high, opposing opinions running riot, and many people feeling acute senses of anger and injustice. There is no better, nor more important time to strive towards becoming more empathetic.

Let us begin by defining empathy. Many confuse empathy with sympathy. To be sympathetic is to feel sorry for another, to recognise and acknowledge their plight. However, empathy goes a step further. To be empathetic you must not only see a person’s struggle and feel for them, you must also understand their viewpoint. Empathy helps you to help the other person more effectively, to work with them to find solutions and make them feel like they are not alone.

Although some people are natural empaths, empathy is very much something that can be learnt and developed. Indeed, constructive empathy is a conscious skill and improves with practice. Here are some foundational elements of how to develop your empathetic side…

1. Listen

Listen. Really listen. We are all guilty of waiting for a gap in a conversation to jump in with our views or experiences from time to time. Another habit, in conversation, is to be afraid of silence, of processing time. Really listen to the other person; try to take in all of the information and to consider your response. Do you even need to respond? Would your voice be helpful here or do you just need to give over space to the other person?

2. It’s Not About You

Focus on the plight of the other. This is a conversation about their struggles and their needs. It is all too easy to sidestep into a monologue about how something similar happened to you, ‘oh yeah, it’s like that time when I…’. before you know it you might have spent a while on you, and veered completely off topic. You are here for them. Keep this fact at the front of your mind.

3. Their Shoes

Sometimes you will not agree with the plight or the opinion of the other person. To be empathetic, you must consider their viewpoint. This might mean taking into account their history, their race, their sexuality, their mental health experiences, their family life, their financial situation… there is a lot to consider. Take time to understand why they are feeling the way they are feeling, even if you are not fully able to understand the sensation of their full experience as a person.

4. Try Not to Judge

When we judge someone we close a door. If you have made a snap decision about someone, you have decided not to fully engage with their experience. Try not to form your opinion until you have more information. Which leads us on to…

5. Learn

To be empathetic, you need to understand their situation fully. Ask questions. Learn. What is wrong? Why do they feel this way? What can you do to help them? Not only does this help you to be more helpful, but it demonstrates to the other that you are investing in them, trying to understand their situation. It is as helpful to the content of your response as it is to their feeling safe, open and supported.

6. Be Kind

Empathy is as much about the focus of your presence as it is about the lightness of your touch. Kindness makes all the difference. Not only does a kind approach put the other person at ease and make them feel better, but it also says, ‘don’t worry, you are safe with me’. Putting your charge at ease will make them far more comfortable to share, which will make it easier for you to support them in their struggle.

By Chris Thomson

Positivity is a great help when overcoming life’s challenges. Sometimes, though, we need a little help hurdling those negative vibes… 6 Ways to Override Negative Thoughts

P.S. Whenever you are ready… here are 4 ways we can support your personal and professional Conscious Goals:

1. Access Free Live Meditations & Energy Transmissions

Inside our private Facebook Group, The Conscious Professional Mindful Community where Neil leads live weekly community events. Join now for free.

2. Learn To Meditate With Neil Seligman In Just 10 Days!

Zen in Ten, our flagship online course, is a ten day mindfulness challenge for people who need to slow down.  

3. Work With Neil One-To-One

See if a Conscious Coaching Partnership is right for you. Book a 15-minute discovery call with Neil here.

4. Bring The Conscious Professional To Your Business

See if The Conscious Professional training and coaching programmes are right for your team or workplace. Book a call here.

The Conscious Professional is dedicated to delivering inspiring corporate mindfulness and professional resilience training, conscious leadership coaching and workplace wellbeing services at the level of professional excellence. Thank you for following our blog.

The post 6 Tips for Becoming More Empathetic appeared first on The Conscious Professional.