The advantages of mindful coaching and mindful leadership
Host Michael Millward, Managing Director of Abeceder, talks to Pankaj Singh, founder of Singh Leadership, about how mindful leaders can use mindful coaching to transform workplace culture so long as they first transformthemselves.
Singh shares the personal journey that shaped his leadership philosophy; from a formative three‑month stay in a Tibetan monastery as a child (“that shaped who I became after that… the true value of the simple breath that we take”); to navigating a ransomware crisis during COVID‑19 that revealed how differently people respond under pressure (“why things that came naturally to me were such a big issue for others” ).
Together, Michael and Pankaj unpack the PROGRESS Framework, the Ascendancy Action System, and the role of mindful presence in modern leadership. Singh explains why traditional leadership models no longer fit today’s diverse, digital workplaces; and why leaders must learn to understand themselves before they can effectively understand others.
Key themes include:
- Mindful leadership vs. traditional management (“Mindfulness is not meditation… it’s being aware of not just yourself, but everyone and everything around you” )
- Managing individuals before managing teams (“You need to manage them as individuals before you manage them as a group” )
- Why self‑awareness is the foundation of effective leadership
- How leaders can reduce frustration, improve communication, and build trust
- The neuroscience of emotional triggers and the STOP technique (“Observe the sensations in your body… put a name to it and move on” )
This episode is ideal for HR professionals, managers, coaches, and anyone interested in leadership development, workplace culture, or personal growth.
If you’re ready to rethink how leadership works — and how leaders should work — this conversation will make you think, challenge assumptions, and inspire meaningful change.
Discover more about Pankaj Singh, and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk
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