June 11, 2014

Mindfulfilled

Back in February of 2013 the PSS Leadership Team took a rather unconventional proposal to our Board. As part of the new Management and Leadership Development Programme (MLDP) they wanted to take around forty senior managers through a programme in ‘Mindfulness’. Now, you might be thinking, ‘what’s that all about?’ or you might have heard the many positive views of those across PSS who were lucky enough to take part. Whatever you know or don’t know about Mindfulness, we want to give you a little bit of an overview.

So, what is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about being aware of our mental and emotional processes and managing them to become more fully present, ‘unhindered by habits and attitudes from the past and anxieties about the future’. When we are mindful we are able to observe our thoughts in an objective and non-judgmental way. Mindfulness meditation is a process for accomplishing that goal; it helps us relax and be in the moment. The result is clarity of our own awareness, and attitudes and this can then be used to check and modify destructive thoughts and feelings.

What did we do?

Each of our service managers and senior managers went through a programme of eight, half-day sessions and a two-day residential. During the programme we looked at emotional intelligence, self-awareness and understanding of different styles of management and leadership, all framed within a structure of meditation throughout the sessions.

What was the feedback?

The feedback has been unbelievable. In spite of some expected doubts at the start, every person walked away feeling the benefit. Some people described it as the most most useful personal development work they’d ever done.

Who delivered the course? Our Mindfulness facilitator Ondy Wilson has become something of a celebrity across PSS. With a background in training and education, she was described by our team as having an unbelievable skill in helping our team relate to the principles of Mindfulness.

This course has changed my life and will change the lives of so many people in my life! Having the opportunity to do this course is the greatest gift I have ever been given.