Mindful Leadership
Transforming Business with Heart and Purpose
Leaders today, in business, non-profits, and government, are facing challenges that call for more than just innovation. We’re being asked to redefine what it means to lead, and to create careers and organizations that align with deeper missions and values.
There’s a growing demand for work that truly makes a difference, and people are seeking careers that reflect that. The old idea that profits come before people is fading. I believe the next generation of leaders is driven by purpose, authenticity, and benevolence. But what are the leadership skills that align with these values? How are these leaders being prepared for the future of work?
When I began my coaching practice, I asked myself what had the greatest impact on my own career and what I’ve seen create success for leaders I admire. What came up again and again was a balance—a mix of inner and outer work. It’s the harmony of self-awareness, insight, strategy, and decisive action.
In my past consulting roles, whether advising businesses on Customer Success and Sales strategies or working with government teams on performance management, I noticed something interesting. While the strategies were important, the real magic happened in conversations about what I would call “inner work”- culture, ego, and the deeper unmet needs of employees and customers. These discussions created the kind of lasting change that transformed organizations from the inside out.
My ideas of “inner work” have been shaped by 20 years in community and studying mindfulness, particularly in the insight meditation and Zen traditions. At first glance, it seems far removed from the corporate world. But as I’ve found time and again, the lessons from mindfulness are the key to creating the kind of success that goes beyond metrics.
So, can these two worlds—business and mindfulness—come together in a way that makes a difference? Can we lead with heart and purpose, while still building businesses that thrive?
The answer came into focus when I discovered the Inner MBA Program, created by Sounds True in partnership with LinkedIn and Wisdom 2.0. This program unites business and mindfulness, bringing together executives from Patagonia, Slack, Airbnb, and Google, alongside renowned teachers like Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Tami Simon, Founder of Sounds True; https://innermba.soundstrue.com
The teachings in this program cover practical aspects of sales, marketing, finance and more- all from the lens of what it means to lead with a calm and welcoming presence focused on building connection and making a real impact. Tami Simon, the Founder of Sounds True, explains describes the importance of these teachings: “These are not ‘soft skills.’ They are some of the hardest to master, and they aren’t taught in college or business school.”
This program has helped me realize that leading with mindfulness isn’t just a new way to approach leadership—it’s a necessary shift that will give permission to others to show up differently at work, find more meaning in their careers, and feel a great sense of purpose with their colleagues and customers.
As Tami says, “Entrepreneurship is pure creativity—finding unmet needs, being innovative, and bringing heart into business.”
Tami shares 7 guiding principles for spiritual entrepreneurship that are deeply empowering and central to the concept of Mindful Leadership. The first of these principles is to Lead with Presence. As Peter F. Drucker famously said, “You can’t manage anyone until you learn to manage yourself.”
We live in a world where everyone- especially leaders- are overstimulated and constantly multitasking. Leading with presence is about learning to be fully here, to manage your own mind and emotions, and to create a calm and welcoming space for others. Presence is powerful—it’s a gift you can offer to yourself and everyone you lead.
Imagine being the kind of leader who inspires trust, connection, and openness in others just by showing up fully. When we lead with presence, we make better decisions, create stronger relationships, and guide our teams through even the most challenging moments with grace and clarity.
And the best part? We all have this potential within us. Leading with presence is a skill we can learn and practice. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up with intention and being willing to create space for what’s possible.
Fear often holds us back from embracing these new ways of leading. But the truth is, mindful leadership allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that we’re grounded in something bigger than ourselves. When we embody presence, we become the leaders who can navigate uncertainty with strength and compassion.
To learn more about all of Tami’s 7 Principles of Spiritual Entrepreneurship, I encourage you to listen to her podcast.
So, what does mindful leadership mean to you?
What fears show up for you as you think about bringing this leadership approach to work?
What excites you about the future of leadership when considering this as a possibility?
How would leading with presence transform your career, your team, or your business?
I’m excited to help you explore this. If you’re ready to unlock your potential as a mindful leader, you can learn more about my 3-month coaching program and book a free consultation with me here:
And if you’re interested in the Inner MBA Program, you can find more information here.
