Meditate, trust your gut and innovate

According to studies top businesses have an average life span of 16-20 years. Here are three mantras that can make a tremendous difference to the capacity of a business to stand the test of time - Intuition, Innovation and Teamwork (IIT). 

Intuition: Though planning based on logic, facts, figures and ground realities is a vital part of business, there is always a room for possibilities beyond the obvious. Intuition means understanding through means other than thinking, learning, or the five senses. It is the process of being guided by a gut-feeling or hunch that tells us something beyond the comprehension of logical mind. We need to train ourselves to listen to that “inner voice” that appears instinctively from within. Intuition is both inborn and can also be developed. The way to do it is through  regular meditation. 

Innovation: Every business needs innovative ideas to keep ahead of the constantly evolving market dynamics, customer demands, technological advances, political developments and so on. Innovation and creativity, like intuition, spring from within. Is there any way in which we can improve the thought process? A thought is nothing but an impulse of energy and intelligence. For this, our brain needs to be alive and trained to be receptive and alert to new concepts and ideas. Regular meditation changes the structure of the brain, opens up the wellspring of creativity and fosters cutting-edge innovation. 

Belonging: The best teams are driven by a sense of belonging. A clear channel of communication, fair decision-making, seamless conflict resolution mechanisms, group celebrations can enhance the sense of belonging. Prosperity cannot flourish in a disturbed atmosphere. 

So a good manager needs to regularly review whether the organisation is a home of teamwork, commitment with a sense of relationship to it. Are the team members given a chance for their talents to blossom? Do they have a voice to share their concerns? A sense of belonging develops when the members of the team and their leader in particular, are free of stress. 

Every organisation would do well to inculcate stress-busters like meditation, breathing exercise, etc as part of daily routine.