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Issue #83 - May 6, 2025

Welcome to G.R.O.W. (Guidance Redefines Our Way)!

Hello everyone,

As May and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month are in full swing, we will continue exploring the powerful leadership that emerges from cultural wisdom.

Last week, we discussed how our cultural roots provide a foundation for leadership excellence. This week, we're diving deeper into a specific aspect of that wisdom: mindfulness practices from AAPI traditions and how they transform executive performance in our high-stress world.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, so the timing couldn't be better to explore these themes. The mindfulness practices cultivated across Asian cultures for centuries are now embraced by leaders who recognize that mental clarity isn't just nice to have—it's essential for peak performance.

From the boardroom to the Zoom room, leaders discover that ancient wisdom offers modern solutions to our most pressing leadership challenges: decision fatigue, information overload, and the constant pressure to perform.

Let's dive in!

Growth Spotlight

Eastern Wisdom for Western Stress: Mindfulness in Leadership

Let's face it: leaders are more stressed out than ever. A 2024 Deloitte survey found that 3 out of 4 top executives admit they're burning out, and 9 out of 10 say it's messing with their ability to make good decisions. The World Economic Forum even flags mental health as one of the biggest threats to businesses worldwide right now.

But here's the good news—something interesting is happening in the middle of all this stress. Leaders who are trying mindfulness practices—many from Asian and Pacific Islander traditions—are not just surviving; they're actually thriving.

Let me share three simple but powerful mindfulness approaches that are changing how innovative leaders work:

1. The Slow Down to Speed Up Trick

We've all heard those corporate catchphrases: "Move fast and break things," "Speed to market," "Be first or be last." But what if slowing down helps you get better results?

Harvard Business School's Dr. William George found that leaders who take time to be fully present - a basic practice in many Buddhist traditions - make about a third more effective decisions and get 23% better performance from their teams.

Dr. George says, "When you take time to be fully present, you save time later. You catch problems earlier, hear what people are saying, and build stronger relationships—all of which prevent expensive mistakes and build stronger teams."

Try This: Before diving into email tomorrow morning, sit quietly and focus on your breathing for just three minutes. Nothing fancy - notice your breath going in and out. Then see how it affects your first few meetings and decisions of the day.

2. The "Fresh Eyes" Approach

There's a Japanese concept called "beginner's mind"—it's about looking at situations with fresh eyes, even when you're an expert. This approach seems backward in our work culture, which rewards quick answers and decisive action.

But Harvard researcher Dr. Ellen Langer found that leaders who stay curious and open (rather than defaulting to "I already know this") come up with 37% more innovative solutions and adapt to changes almost twice as fast as those who rely only on their existing knowledge.

Leadership coach Mei Lin Wong teaches what she calls "curiosity pauses" to executives. She says, "When leaders stop their automatic expert reactions with a moment of genuine curiosity, they suddenly see options they would have completely missed. This simple shift can be game-changing, especially when your industry changes fast."

Try This: Next time you face a challenging situation, before jumping to solutions, pause and ask yourself: "What might I be missing here?" or "If I were seeing this for the first time, what would stand out to me?"

3. Why Being Kind Makes You Stronger

Many Eastern traditions see compassion as a source of strength, not weakness. This is different from Western leadership models that have typically valued toughness over kindness.

However, research has increasingly shown that the Eastern approach works better. A Stanford study by Dr. Emma Seppälä found that leaders who practice self-compassion bounce back from failures 60% faster and show 34% greater resilience during tough times.

Even more impressive, leaders who extend this compassionate approach to their teams see a 28% increase in what Google calls "psychological safety,” which their research identified as the #1 factor in high-performing teams.

Dr. Thupten Jinpa, who translates for the Dalai Lama, has trained executives at Google and Meta. He says simply, "Compassion isn't soft—it's practical. It creates safety, encourages smart risk-taking, and drives innovation."

Try This: Next time something goes wrong, try this quick exercise: Acknowledge that it's tough, remind yourself that everyone faces setbacks, and ask, "What would I say to a friend going through this same situation?" Then give yourself that same advice.

The Bottom Line

Using these Eastern mindfulness practices in our Western work life isn't just about feeling less stressed (though that's a nice bonus). It's about fundamentally changing how we think, decide, and connect with others.

By simply being more present, staying curious, and treating ourselves and others with compassion, we're finding a better way to handle the crazy challenges of leading in today's world.

So what about you? What simple mindfulness practice might you try this month?

Professional Growth Gateway

Three AAPI Mindfulness Skills That Transform Executive Performance

Let's discuss something interesting - top executives no longer obsess over spreadsheets. They're discovering that certain mental practices can give them a real edge. Here are three powerful skills with roots in Asian traditions that are changing how smart leaders work:

1. The Power of the Pause

Ever notice how some people can stay cool when everyone else is losing it? The ability to pause before reacting—something taught in many meditation traditions—is becoming recognized as a must-have leadership skill.

Brain scientist Dr. Amishi Jha found that regular mindfulness practice strengthens attention and working memory, which are drained during high-pressure moments when tough calls are needed.

The results speak for themselves: leaders who practice this "mindful pausing" say they make essential decisions with 40% more clarity and have 45% fewer "I wish I hadn't done that" moments.

Try This: Use the "5-3-1" method in your day: Take five deep breaths before important decisions, spend 3 minutes of quiet time between meetings, and do one longer practice (10+ minutes) daily. It sounds simple, but it works wonders for your decision-making.

2. Listening Like You Mean It

In many Asian cultures, listening isn't just something you do while waiting for your turn to talk—it's an active skill that takes practice. Leaders who develop this ability see amazing changes in how their teams work and how clients respond to them.

A 2023 McKinsey study found something impressive: executives trained in mindful listening improved their understanding of what people needed by 43% and saw their teams generate 37% more innovative ideas.

Try This: In your next important conversation, try "three-dimensional listening"—listen for the facts, the feelings behind the words, and the needs the person might not be stating directly. After they finish speaking, breathe before responding and ask yourself, "Do I understand what matters most to them right now?"

3. Quick Energy Resets

Traditional Asian practices like qigong and tai chi have been around for centuries, but now they're being adapted into quick exercises that fit into crazy-busy schedules. These mini-practices help leaders maintain their energy throughout demanding days.

Dr. Tony Noh studied Korean energy practices and created a program with 2-minute "reset moments" between meetings. His research with tech executives found that these quick breaks reduced afternoon energy crashes by 31% and improved creative problem-solving by 24%.

Try This: Here's a one-minute energy reset you can do anywhere: Stand up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Take three deep breaths, imagining energy flowing into your body. Gently tap your fingertips across your shoulders, arms, and torso for about 30 seconds. Finish with three more deep breaths. This simple practice activates your body's rest-and-restore system and quickly refreshes your brain.

Which of these skills might help you most right now? Why not pick one and try it this week?

Success spotlight

Arianna Huffington: Transforming Leadership Through Mindfulness

When Arianna Huffington collapsed from exhaustion at her desk in 2007, breaking her cheekbone in the fall, it became her wake-up call. Two years into building The Huffington Post, the divorced mother of two teenage daughters realized she had become a living example of burnout culture.

"That was the beginning of my realization that not only my life, but the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world, were fueled by burnout—by this collective delusion that to succeed, we have to burnout," Huffington explained on the HRD Live Podcast.

This personal crisis transformed into a professional mission. After selling The Huffington Post to AOL in 2011 for $315 million, Huffington channeled her energy into researching and writing about well-being, publishing the international bestsellers "Thrive" and "The Sleep Revolution." In 2016, she founded Thrive Global, a behavior change technology company dedicated to ending the stress and burnout epidemic.

Huffington's approach to leadership is particularly noteworthy because she has transformed traditional mindfulness practices into practical, actionable strategies for today's executives. She advocates for what Thrive Global calls "Microsteps" — small, science-backed behavior changes that are "too small to fail" but powerful enough to build sustainable habits.

For example, through Thrive Global's corporate programs, she has introduced:

• The Thrive Reset: Based on neuroscience showing we can course-correct from stress in 60-90 seconds, they've created one-minute mindfulness sessions embedded directly into Zoom links, building mindfulness directly into the workday.

• Entry Interviews: Rather than just conducting exit interviews, Huffington recommends asking new employees: "What's important to you outside of work?" and "How can we support you?" This establishes boundaries and well-being as priorities from day one.

• Leadership Journeys: A tech-enabled immersive program designed to help business leaders cascade well-being throughout their companies. This program has reached over 20,000 leaders worldwide, with 90% reporting they feel better equipped to handle stress.

The business impact has been substantial. Thriving Mind, which has been implemented with many of Thrive Global's corporate customers, has seen unprecedented engagement with over 170,000 participants. According to company data, 91% of participants feel better equipped to face workplace challenges.

Huffington's approach extends beyond theoretical advice—she models these behaviors herself. As she told the HRD Live Podcast, "Leadership is critical... One of the other things we encourage is finding an 'accountability buddy' — somebody who can be your buddy on the journey, and you can check in on each other."

Her influence has spread to other major leaders. For example, Philipp Schindler, Google's Chief Business Officer, shared with Huffington how he realized he was always on his phone at the playground with his children. After his 5-year-old asked if the babysitter could take them instead, Schindler had his "moment of epiphany" and committed to being fully present with his children. This decision rippled through his organization of 20,000 people, as team members felt they now had "permission" to be present with their families too.

Huffington emphasizes that mindfulness isn't just about feeling better—it's about performing better. She explains that compassion isn't a "soft" skill but a practical one that "creates safety, encourages smart risk-taking, and drives innovation."

Through her work with Thrive Global, Huffington has transformed from media entrepreneur to mindfulness advocate, proving that Eastern wisdom traditions can be powerful tools for Western leadership challenges. Her journey demonstrates that mindfulness isn't just an add-on to good leadership—it's becoming the foundation.

Community Corner

S.H.I.E.L.D.S. Spotlight: How Mentors Help Guard Youth Mental Health

At A Few Good MENtors (AFGM), our core values are represented by the acronym S.H.I.E.L.D.S.: Spirituality, Health, Education, Leadership, Development, and Stewardship. This week, as we observe both AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we're highlighting the Health component of our mission—specifically, how mentorship can strengthen mental wellness among our youth.

As a faith-based organization, we believe in the power of prayer and spiritual support. However, we also recognize that addressing youth mental health requires an approach that combines spiritual guidance with practical support and evidence-based practices.

The youth mental health statistics we're seeing today are sobering. According to CDC data from 2021-2022, about 40% of high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while 10% of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, and 4% have been diagnosed with depression. Girls are particularly affected, with 6% experiencing depression compared to 3% of boys.

Even more concerning is the treatment gap. Research from Mental Health America shows that nearly 60% of youth with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment. In some states, almost 80% of youth with depression do not receive the care they need.

This is where mentors can make a profound difference. Studies have consistently shown that mentoring relationships can significantly impact youth mental health:

MENTOR's research found that one of the strongest and most consistent benefits of youth mentoring is reducing depressive symptoms. This is particularly noteworthy given that almost one in four youth report worrisome levels of these symptoms.

Youth with mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class, important indicators of mental well-being. Most interesting, 58% of young people say their mentor has supported their mental health.

As we think about these statistics, I'm reminded of something one of our mentors shared recently: "Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for a young person is simply to show up consistently and listen without judgment."

At AFGM, we see the powerful intersection of spiritual support and mental health awareness. Our mentors provide guidance and a safe space where young people can share their struggles, ask questions, and find strength through prayer and practical coping strategies.

Mental health professionals often talk about "protective factors"—elements in a young person's life that buffer against stress and adversity. A caring mentor serves as one of the most powerful protective factors a child can have.

As we continue through Mental Health Awareness Month, we're particularly interested in connecting with mental health professionals who feel called to mentor. Your specialized training and perspective could make an extraordinary difference in a young person's life.

If you have a background or experience in mental health fields—whether as a counselor, therapist, social worker, psychologist, or in a related profession—we invite you to consider becoming a mentor or volunteer with AFGM. Your skills are desperately needed, and the impact you could have is immeasurable.

To explore mentoring opportunities or to learn more about how your professional expertise could benefit our youth, don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Remember: When we shield a young person's mental health through mentorship, we're not just helping them through today's challenges but empowering them with tools and perspectives to serve them throughout their lives.

Let's continue to prioritize mental health in our mentoring relationships, creating spaces where young people can find spiritual and emotional support on their journey to adulthood.

Michael's Hot Take

Perfect Timing: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month by... Cutting Mental Health Services

Well, we've officially reached a fascinating situation. Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, the Department of Education has decided to demonstrate its "awareness" by canceling $1 billion in school-based mental health services grants.

You’re probably thinking, "This doesn’t make any sense." How can you possibly justify eliminating funding for school psychologists, social workers, and counselors nationwide? Am I right?

Let's break this down: Secretary McMahon just canceled funding specifically created to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools. This isn't just any program – it was established in 2019 after countless conversations with parents, educators, and district leaders who recognized the critical need for these services. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act even strengthened the program with a $500 million investment over five years.

But apparently, bipartisan support and proven results don't matter much when there's a budget to slash.

What's particularly frustrating is that we've just spent the entire newsletter discussing how mindfulness practices and mental health support can transform leadership and workplace culture. We've reviewed research showing that 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. We know that 60% of youth with major depression don't receive any mental health treatment at all.

And the solution to this crisis is... removing mental health professionals from schools? Make it make sense.

The timing is particularly cruel. As Representative DeLauro pointed out, this decision comes right as we enter Mental Health Awareness Month. I guess "awareness" now means being acutely aware that your school's mental health services might disappear.

But here's the thing – we don't have to accept this. Mental health support for students isn't a luxury or a "nice-to-have." It's essential for developing the next generation of leaders. The research discussed throughout this newsletter makes it abundantly clear that mental wellness is foundational to leadership development, academic success, and personal growth.

So what can we do?

1. Contact your representatives: Your voice matters. Take five minutes today to call, email, or write to your congressional representatives and senators. Let them know that funding for school-based mental health services is non-negotiable. You can find your representatives at house.gov and your senators at senate.gov.

2. Attend school board meetings: Show up and speak up about the importance of mental health services in schools. Ask pointed questions about how your district plans to support students' mental health needs if federal funding is cut.

3. Join advocacy organizations: Groups like Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness have advocacy networks that amplify individual voices.

4. Spread awareness: Share information about the importance of school-based mental health services on social media, in community groups, and with other parents and educators.

5. Volunteer as a mentor: While professional mental health services are irreplaceable, caring mentors can provide additional support to struggling youth. Consider volunteering with AFGM as part of the solution.

I've said it before, but it bears repeating: mental health support isn't a partisan issue. It's a human issue. And the fact that we're still having to fight for basic mental health services in schools in 2025 is absurd.

So as we enter Mental Health Awareness Month, let's do more than "raise awareness." Let's raise our voices and demand better for our kids. Because if we want mindful, resilient leaders tomorrow, we must invest in students' mental health today.

Until next Tuesday – stay grounded, stay vocal, and remember: nothing shows you care about mental health quite like funding mental health services. Revolutionary concept, I know.

Upcoming Events

Mental Health First Aid Certification for Mentors

• Date: Coming Soon!

• Duration: One day (8 hours)

• Location: Virtual workshop

• This specialized training adapts the proven Mental Health First Aid curriculum for mentors and leaders. Learn to recognize signs of mental health challenges in your mentees, respond supportively, and connect them with appropriate resources when needed. Limited to 30 participants. Sign up at [email protected].

Echo of Freedom Tour

• Date: July 19, 2025

• Duration: 5 hours

• The Echoes of Freedom Tour is a guided journey through Northern Virginia, revealing the rich and often untold history of African American resilience, activism, and community building. This immersive experience takes participants to key historical sites, including early freedmen settlements, civil rights landmarks, and educational institutions that shaped Black history in the region. The tour connects the past to the present through storytelling, reflection, and engagement, ensuring that these vital narratives inspire future generations.

What mindfulness practice are you bringing to your leadership and mentoring this month? Share your experiences with us at [email protected].