What is this thing called Equanimity?
Equanimity is "mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium" (Dictionary.com, 2009). Do these environmental conditions sound familiar? Every manager working in an American-style organization has been "under tension or strain" at one time or another, some of us more often than not. As I think back to particularly stressful management positions I've held, I must admit that I behaved in a less-than-composed manner on more than one occasion. Of course, back then I wasn't thinking in terms of Middle Way Management and how presenting a composed and calm manner during times of extreme duress is a great way to model leadership.
As a Middle Way Manager, you should always try to maintain your equilibrium regardless of the organizational situation in which you find yourself. The only way to maintain a calm exterior is to possess a calm inner energy. You cannot fake your way into equanimity--the human mind is too quick and picks up on too many subtle (and not so subtle) clues about your true feelings. Team members will sense your panic very, very quickly and react in their own, special ways. Thus, challenging situations present you with opportunities to step back and view the landscape with as little emotion as possible while remembering that the ego will slip you into a reactive state without you even knowing it has occurred.
Walking Your Middle Way Management Talk
I've offered ideas in previous posts for developing and maintaining your Middle Way Management practice through mindful breathing, neuro-linguistic anchoring, and reflective thought. Frankly, this is where the preparatory rubber meets the road. All of your hard development work comes into laser-point focus as you make the decision to conduct yourself with equanimous comportment. This is your chance to authentically walk your Middle Way Management talk.
There are three aspects you should consider when conducting yourself equanimously: (1) Right thought (inner dialogue), (2) Right speech (outer dialogue), and (3) Right action (behaviors). Again, all of your hard work preparing yourself to be a true and effective Middle Way Manager will result in an inner calm that no one can achieve without actively seeking it with mindful intent. As you form your thoughts in positive, compassionate, empathetic ways, your speech will naturally follow. Your words will change from the typical American-style organizational language of no-holds-barred competition and war to something more gracious and inclusive. As a result, your actions and behaviors will become more circumspect and, hence, valued by your colleagues.
The Eye of the Storm
As I think of an American-style manager leading a team through a rough organizational patch, I can't help picturing an 18th century sea captain barking out orders as drenching winds and high seas knock his ship and crew about. I know I've felt this way as a manager in the past. Fortunately, you now have the managerial tools to act as an anchor to your organization, someone who all organizational members can learn to value as a calm place in the eye (i.e., the middle) of the storm. You may even notice over time that you are breathing increasingly rarified air as you creep into the upper management echelons of your organization!
I hope this post has helped you think about how practicing some of the techniques I've presented in previous posts can work to set you up for success. Middle Way Managers don't just spring from the mouth of Zeus, they are made through hard work and commitment over time. Practice right thought, right speech, and right action and you will enjoy the fruits of your diligent labors.
In my next post, I will consider Middle Way Management and active decision-making. Until then...
Onward! Darin
ReferenceI've offered ideas in previous posts for developing and maintaining your Middle Way Management practice through mindful breathing, neuro-linguistic anchoring, and reflective thought. Frankly, this is where the preparatory rubber meets the road. All of your hard development work comes into laser-point focus as you make the decision to conduct yourself with equanimous comportment. This is your chance to authentically walk your Middle Way Management talk.
There are three aspects you should consider when conducting yourself equanimously: (1) Right thought (inner dialogue), (2) Right speech (outer dialogue), and (3) Right action (behaviors). Again, all of your hard work preparing yourself to be a true and effective Middle Way Manager will result in an inner calm that no one can achieve without actively seeking it with mindful intent. As you form your thoughts in positive, compassionate, empathetic ways, your speech will naturally follow. Your words will change from the typical American-style organizational language of no-holds-barred competition and war to something more gracious and inclusive. As a result, your actions and behaviors will become more circumspect and, hence, valued by your colleagues.
The Eye of the Storm
As I think of an American-style manager leading a team through a rough organizational patch, I can't help picturing an 18th century sea captain barking out orders as drenching winds and high seas knock his ship and crew about. I know I've felt this way as a manager in the past. Fortunately, you now have the managerial tools to act as an anchor to your organization, someone who all organizational members can learn to value as a calm place in the eye (i.e., the middle) of the storm. You may even notice over time that you are breathing increasingly rarified air as you creep into the upper management echelons of your organization!
I hope this post has helped you think about how practicing some of the techniques I've presented in previous posts can work to set you up for success. Middle Way Managers don't just spring from the mouth of Zeus, they are made through hard work and commitment over time. Practice right thought, right speech, and right action and you will enjoy the fruits of your diligent labors.
In my next post, I will consider Middle Way Management and active decision-making. Until then...
Onward! Darin
Dictionary.com. (2009). Retrieved June 29, 2009, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equanimity
Copyright © 2009, Darin R. Molnar, PhD. All rights reserved.
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