Practicing Mindful Caring: Pillar 2
Welcome back to our ongoing exploration of the profound and transformational power of a Culture of Care. Today, we embark on the second pillar: Practicing Mindful Caring. As you recall, our commitment at Vigilant to cultivating a Culture of Care was a natural extension of our core value – “Others Before Self.” Our purpose in cultivating a Culture of Care is to authentically serve others knowing that our attitudes and behaviors are driving contributors to creating such a culture. The pillars are:
- Embracing a caring mindset, part 1 and part 2;
- Practicing mindful caring;
- Going beyond the ordinary; and
- Sustaining a Culture of Care in the messy real world.
Practicing Mindful Caring: An Overview
The foundation of practicing mindful caring to cultivate a Culture of Care lies in consciously and systematically building the knowledge and skills required for a caring existence. It demands an investment in being truly “present” with others, mastering the art of attentive listening and empathy. To be a role model for caring leadership, it’s crucial to understand how we respond to stressors that challenge our caring mindset.
Know and Embrace Your History
At Vigilant, the decision to nurture a Culture of Care was a deliberate response to negative outcomes resulting from its absence. We wanted a better, more positive, and supportive workplace. Our historical commitment to service became the foundation for creating our desired culture of the future. By knowing our history related to caring for and serving others, we were able to build upon it and implement the necessary behavioral changes. If you are inspired to do the same, ask yourself the following questions:
- What experiences and factors in your life promote or diminish caring?
- What values guide your caring instincts, and when is it challenging to uphold them?
Then develop strategies to leverage these caring values, recognizing deviations swiftly, so you can return to practicing mindful caring.
Be Deliberate Regarding Behavior
Practicing a caring mindset requires behaviors that actively support a Culture of Care. Systematically enhance your caring attitudes and skills by consciously serving others—be fully present, listen well, and empathize. Sustaining these skills is more difficult in remote work environments and requires more effort. Regularly evaluate the extent and quality of your caring behavior, devising plans to further enhance it. Self-monitor your progress, personally and collectively, by identifying and acting on opportunities for growth.
Invest in Development/Hire Smart
In Pillar 1 we talked about the importance of job competence in a Culture of Care. Achieving high performance is a dynamic process that requires continuous effort to elevate our skills. Confidence, a natural byproduct of competence, nurtures humility. Seek opportunities to enhance your skills and competencies, enabling you to make a more meaningful contribution to your team, company, and customers. Smart hiring is a crucial competency for creating and sustaining a Culture of Care. Master the art of applying your knowledge, values, and beliefs to screen candidates for caring attitudes and behaviors. Post-hiring, consistently reinforce these values and promptly address any deviations that arise.
Conclusion
The journey of practicing mindful caring is not a solitary one; it’s a shared voyage toward a brighter, more compassionate future. At Vigilant, we are not experts in cultivating a Culture of Care, rather passionate students. Please share your own thoughts and experiences in the spirit of learning and growing together. Join me next time as we explore pillar 3 (part 4): Going Beyond the Ordinary.
