April Top 5 LinkedIn Recap

By The Mindful Leader Team

This month, we had the opportunity to read many thought-provoking articles about leadership and mindful approaches to the workplace and then share those articles with our community. And the community spoke—as we approach the end of the month, we want to share some of the most popular articles from the past three weeks with you. We based our picks on our LinkedIn engagement, which includes reactions, shares, clicks, and comments. If you want to join us on LinkedIn, click here. For each article, we’ve shared a summary and key points, as well as a link to the full article.

This month, we saw articles looking at psychological safety, the benefits and potential drawbacks of positivity in the workplace, and resiliency. There was also an article full of book recommendations for your spring reading list. Take a look and let us know what you think of the articles in the comments below.

Psychological safety: 3 ways leaders can create a safe space

LinkedIn engagement number: 1,670

Psychological safety is a key part of relationships because it makes trust, two-way communication, and productive collaboration possible. Having it in the workplace makes employees feel confident, and makes them more likely to push the boundaries, learn new things, and be creative. Putting employees’ well-being first is a way to show you care about your team when you are a leader.

Here are three ways leaders can support the psychological safety of their team:

• Keep everyone looped in so they know they are part of the team and can have a say in decision-making.
• Own your mistakes.
• Champion your team.

Read the full article from Fast Company here.

Being positive all the time is impossible and toxic—here’s how to deal with difficult emotions at work

LinkedIn engagement number: 1,346

It is not possible, or healthy, to have a workplace where everyone is happy and positive at all times. This idea is known as toxic positivity. Emotions should be neutral, whether they are traditionally positive or negative, and they should be welcome at work so that they can be worked through, rather than suppressed. Sometimes employees with difficult emotions can find a deeper sense of trust in their leader when allowed a safe space to express what they are feeling, even when it is not necessarily a positive emotion or something the leader would like to hear.

Organizations can work to create a space where all emotions are welcomed by:

• Encouraging active listening.
• Discussing tough emotions in person, rather than over email.
• Understanding that negative emotions can be openly acknowledged.
• Allowing time to cool off when needed.  

Read the full article from Fast Company here.

A psychologist’s 5-step guide for resilient leadership when everything is going wrong

LinkedIn engagement number: 851

Being a leader can mean living with a lot of stress, especially in times of uncertainty or upheaval. In this article from a psychologist who is leading a startup, explore ways to manage your emotions while supporting your employees and still moving towards your mission. Even in stressful times, it is possible to keep going through the turbulence. While it can feel easier to react in the moment when going through stress, often it is helpful to develop the skills needed for resiliency to bolster you in a world where it is impossible to know what is coming tomorrow.

5 steps to lead through stressful times:

• Prioritize and model self-care.
• Lead from the front with compassion.
• Communicate clearly and frequently.
• Create a culture of support.
• Learn from your experiences.
  

Read the full article from Fast Company here.

9 Mindfulness Books to Add to Your Reading List

LinkedIn engagement number: 623

Mindful presents their spring reading roundup of what they believe are the best mindfulness books. These new books range in topics from the transformational power of self-care to how mindfulness may be able to help with pain management. And, as a bonus, they also recommend three mindfulness podcasts to listen to.

9 mindfulness books you can add to your reading list:

• Permission to Speak: How to Change What Power Sounds Like, Starting with You by Samara Bay.
• Real Self-Care: A Transformational Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja Lakshmin, MD.
• Year by River Wolton.
• Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom by Sharon Salzberg.
• Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.
• Black People Breathe: A Mindfulness Guide to Racial Healing by Zee Clarke.
• Drama Free by Nedra Glover Tawwab.
• Anger Management for Black Male Teens: A Practical Guide for Parents On How to Help Your Teen Manage Their Emotions by Kenneth Bourne.
• Selfless: The Social Creation of “You” by Brian Lowery

Read the full article from Mindful here.

Are You a Positive Leader at Work?

LinkedIn engagement number: 450

Expressing your gratitude and sincerely praising your colleagues in the workplace is a way to improve workplace morale. Leaders should do their best to continue to be patient and forward-thinking, even during difficult or stressful times. Also, if something becomes a workplace ritual or routine during a calm time, it can be important later on as a way to destress with something that feels familiar and normal. Daily routines like making your bed or arriving at work at the same time every day can be satisfying and help maintain consistency. 

5 ways to increase morale at work:

• Express gratitude.
• Share the credit.
• Promote a growth mindset amongst team members.
• Be calm and level-headed.
• Openly praise the behaviors you want to see.

Read the full article from Psychology Today here.

Were any of these your favorite articles of the month? Have another one you think we should look at? Let us know in the comments!