Have you heard the phrase or perhaps said it yourself - we’ve got to go slow to go fast?
Here’s one of my favorite ways to do just that. When I lead or facilitate a group coaching session, before we dive into the content of our session, we often start with a 3-minute guided self-awareness practice. Are you cringing? I was. Initially, anyway. Risky, right? Particularly with my most senior level sales leaders who had not dabbled in meditation. But when I tested the waters with them I was shocked with both the results and the response.
They became really quiet. And still.
Then they said: “Can we do that at the start of all of our calls?”
It was also surprising how much doing this helped me, even as leader of the call. I may have done my best to be present before getting on a call, but if the group was anxious or stressed, I would start feeling anxious too. I probably underestimated how much performativity was a factor. Whenever we really really want to do a good job - the body revs with stress hormones naturally even if we aren’t aware or attuned to it. Doing an awareness practice together helps everyone slow down, arrive, and let go of all the prior conversations, meetings and tasks.
I deliberately bring my clients attention to their body and their breath because I’ve found this to be the fastest way to help them (and me) settle the nervous system. It’s how we get “back online” out of anxiety or stress patterns. [For more background on how the brain and body react to uncertainty check out this short video]
Clients have not only asked for this, they’ve also emulated it at the start of their own meetings. They report the following results:
less fear and uncertainty
team is more engaged, connected
more intelligent and productive meetings
more collaboration and participation from everyone
we feel more relaxed, happier, flexible, fluid, creative
Intrigued and curious about this topic? Here’s a bit more on why presence matters and what one client taught me about the power of being still.
ps…
You don’t have to be a yoga teacher or meditation guru in order to guide the group. I’ve created a 3-minute script you can use. Easy peasy. Contact me if you’d like a copy.