5 Practices to Enhance the Skill of Equanimity: A Crucial Mindful Leadership Skill

Ahhh! Why did I say that? Have you ever wished you held your tongue? Yeah, me too. In the world of leadership, moments of emotional turbulence are all too common. Perhaps you’ve encountered a supervisor whose temper flares over a simple question or a colleague who vents their pent-up frustrations during a meeting. These outbursts not only disrupt the workplace but also leave lasting impressions of turmoil, agitation, anger, resentment, or even humiliation. Why do people react this way? Often, it’s because their ego perceives a threat, triggering a knee-jerk emotional response. Unfortunately, such reactivity rarely achieves the desired outcome. Instead, it fosters friction, diminishes psychological safety, and erodes trust.  Enter equanimity—an invaluable skill in leaders. Equanimity is the art of maintaining emotional stability and composure, especially in the face of adversity. It doesn’t mean suppressing emotions; rather, it’s about ensuring that emotions don’t control your actions. Mindfulness is the key to developing equanimity. It empowers you to slow down, observe both internal and external realities, and consciously choose your responses.  By practicing mindfulness, you diminish your emotional ego, becoming more adept at observing and managing your thoughts and feelings. This newfound clarity enables you to bypass hasty emotional judgments that may not align with your best interests or those of your team or organization.  However, achieving equanimity isn’t a walk in the park. It requires intention and discipline, as the daily demands of leadership often inundate us with stimuli and decisions. But with consistent practice, you can hone the skill of remaining calm and composed, even amid chaos.  Equanimity isn’t just a personal benefit; it’s an essential leadership skill. It heightens your emotional self-awareness, reduces judgment—both self-imposed and directed at others—and helps you regulate reactive behavior. By cultivating equanimity, you enhance your own life and position yourself to better serve your team and mission. In the end, equanimity isn’t just a skill; it’s a leadership asset that sets you apart in today’s fast-paced and emotionally charged world.  Practicing equanimity is a valuable skill that can enhance your emotional well-being and your ability to handle life’s challenges with grace and composure. Here are some steps to help you cultivate equanimity:   Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness meditation is an effective way to develop equanimity. Set aside time each day to sit in quiet contemplation. Focus on your breath and observe your thoughts and emotions — without judgment. With practice, you’ll learn to observe your emotions, allowing them to pass while you remain centered.  Respond, Do Not React: Throughout your day, pay close attention to your emotional reactions to various situations, people, and stimuli. When you notice yourself becoming agitated, anxious, or angry, pause and take a deep breath.   Cultivate Empathy: Try to understand the perspectives and feelings of others, even when they differ from your own. Empathy allows you to respond to challenging situations with compassion, understanding, and without judgment.  Limit Social Media: In today’s digital age, we’re bombarded with information and news that are designed to provoke strong emotional reactions. Be mindful of the information you consume and consider limiting exposure to stressful or negative subject matter.   Have Compassion for Yourself: This is a practice which means it takes practice! Becoming self-aware takes patience and is an investment of time that is worth it in the end.  These are a few things you can practice to get your emotions under control. And take it from me, it does take practice!  Subscribe on my website theresarickekiely.com. Follow me on social media @drtheresarickekiely on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. #mindfulleadership #nonprofitleadership Watch for my upcoming book on mindful nonprofit leadership coming soon!