How Do You Know If Mindfulness Works?

The Mindful Workplace Alliance (MWA) comprises leaders from top tech companies like LinkedIn, Google, Intel, Verizon Media, Genentech, and SAP. They work together to promote mindfulness at work. Each company in the MWA is at a unique stage of integrating mindfulness. It’s much like players in an online platform such as the website Bizzo Casino. Scott Shute is the founder of the Mindful Workplace Alliance (MWA). He explains that mindfulness programs vary by company. Some have well-developed programs, while others start with one person leading the effort. Companies define success uniquely, shaped by their mindfulness practices.

SAP Saw a 200% Return on Investment

A survey at SAP showed that mindfulness training helped 650 employees. It helped them feel better, focus more, and be more creative. It also lowered their stress. Peter Bostelmann is the company’s mindfulness leader. He said the program made three times its cost back. It did this by engaging employees, increasing their trust in leaders, and cutting missed work days.

Intel Increase in Employee Well-Being

At Intel, employees in the mindfulness program complete a survey before and after the 10-week course. They rate their stress levels, engagement, focus, and workplace relationships. Lindsay Benjamin is the program leader. She notes that, on average, scores improve by two points in every area. There have been no regression reports over seven years and thousands of surveys.

LinkedIn Increase in Skilled Applicants

LinkedIn’s mindfulness programs attract talent. Many want to work there because of them. One employee shared with Shute, a company leader. She told him how mindfulness improved her ability to speak at large meetings. Additionally, these practices extend beyond the company, with clients also benefiting. For example, during a busy meeting, a client insisted on keeping their mindfulness practice. They said it was necessary.

Five Common Work Challenges Mindfulness Can Improve

During challenging times at work, that’s when your mindfulness practice truly comes into play. Ask yourself what’s happening can make or break your work day.

1. Defuse emotional flare-ups in a meeting
2. Promote deep focus when distraction takes over
3. Focus on solutions to problems rather than blame
4. Instead of trying to fix everything on your own, focus on empowering yourself so you can empower others.
5. Interrupt a tendency for hasty outbursts

The Origins of Mindfulness Programs at Leading Companies

Mindfulness practices are entering cubicles and C-suites. Companies must find their ways to develop and use them well. Below are the tactics employed by three leading companies to successfully introduce programs.

How Mindfulness Started at Intel

Seven years ago, Lindsay Benjamin from Intel started a mindfulness program. It’s called Awake@Intel. It had an initial 8-week pilot. Benjamin runs a 10-week program every Friday, including meditations, writing, and group activities. Benjamin emphasizes the need for scheduled sessions. They keep attendance up and help with brain changes. Since it started, over 7,000 employees have joined the program. It offers digital lessons and access to on-site meditation facilities.

How Mindfulness Started at SAP

Peter Bostelmann was hired at SAP as an industrial engineer. He found mindfulness ten years ago in his personal life while running big projects at the company. He realized the benefits of his practice: “more focus, calm, and joy even amid challenges.” This made Bostelmann intrigued by bringing mindfulness training to his workplace. He tried to get funding to start a pilot program. “There was curiosity but also skepticism,” he says. After being asked, people replied, “I might be interested, but I’m uncertain if the company is prepared.”

Following his intuition, Peter Bostelmann invited Chade-Meng Tan to speak at SAP. Tan is a mindfulness expert from Google. The large turnout confirmed employee interest in mindfulness. With SAP’s support, Bostelmann started a pilot training program in 2013. By 2019, over 10,000 employees had completed the training, with another 8,000 waiting. SAP now has 42 internal trainers and over 50 mindfulness ambassadors. They promote practices across 30 locations.

How Mindfulness Started at Verizon Media

At Verizon, mindfulness programs are new and show great promise. In 2018, the company’s chief people officer approached Jason Luk about mindfulness training. Luk jumped at the chance. “Luk explained, “I felt it was important to offer an experiential activity, providing a glimpse of mindfulness.” So I led him through a mindfulness meditation, and after that, he was on board, telling me to let him know what I needed.”

Luk, who works in ad sales, has created a mindfulness team. The team has grown to five members, with three more expected to join. They’ve organized events like talks from meditation experts and a five-week mindfulness course. They also use a company intranet page to share events. They have teamed up with the Insight Timer app, which has attracted over 600 employee sign-ups. Luk thinks they effectively cater to diverse staff needs in mindfulness.