Mathieu Côte, VP EMEA Sales Development, salesforce: the benefits of meditation for today’s leader

About 3 to 4 years ago I moved from Headspace to Mindvalley. The work Vishen Lakhiani does through Mindvalley isn’t just about releasing thoughts. It’s more about being aware of yourself, your thoughts.

There are six phases of meditation in the programme and every morning my practice is focused around these:

The Circle of Compassion – It’s all about positive feelings that are connected to other people and creating a sense of compassion towards them. I picture someone I love. Gratitude – I focus on what I’m grateful for in my life, and in myself. Forgiveness – It’s about recognising conflicts I’ve had with people, letting go, forgiving. I even focus on this with my kids Envisioning the Future – I envision the next three years in a sensory way. Things I want to see, taste, smell. Your Perfect Day – How I want the day ahead to roll out, envisioning it. The Blessing – I send a blessing to the universe.

Do you feel your meditation practice has benefited you as a professional, particularly in a leadership position. If so, in what ways? Yes, absolutely. I want to be in the corporate world and to keep talking about this ‘hippy dippy’ meditation stuff. In ten years, people will be asking why we didn’t do this sooner! I learned what kind of leader I didn’t want to be early in my career. My goal is to change how leadership is perceived. I think the leaders of the future are more caring, starting with ourselves! For a long time there has been a dichotomy that says you can’t be kind and compassionate and succeed in the corporate world. I don’t agree and proving this wrong. Thankfully, things are changing.