The power of breathing techniques Optimising for more leadership skills
Optimising breathing techniques plays an important role when it comes to strengthening your own leadership skills. Those who consciously control their breathing increase their mental clarity, improve their resistance to stress and can react more calmly in challenging situations. The art of conscious breathing is particularly valuable for leaders who have to make complex decisions on a daily basis. Optimising breathing techniques helps you to find inner peace and channel your energy effectively so that you can lead with authenticity and focus.
How optimising breathing techniques improves everyday management
In demanding management roles, stress and strain are often part of everyday life. Shallow or hectic breathing impairs the oxygen supply to the brain and leads to concentration problems. Consciously training your breathing can counteract this. Optimising breathing techniques involves using targeted exercises to control the breathing rhythm and thus bring the nervous system into balance. This leads to greater calm, clarity and focus.
Many managers integrate breathing techniques such as the 4-7-8 method or alternate breathing into their daily routine. For example, the 4-7-8 method involves breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds and breathing out for eight seconds. This technique reduces stress and lowers nervousness before important presentations or meetings.
BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) One manager used alternate breathing before negotiations to centre himself and communicate more clearly. Conscious breathing led to more presence and a more confident appearance, which had a positive impact on the outcome of the negotiation.
The lip brake, in which the exhalation is slowed down by pursing the lips, is also frequently used. This exercise immediately reduces tension and helps to stabilise the voice.
Practical breathing techniques for managers
When optimising breathing techniques, you should try out different methods and adapt them to your individual needs. The 6-3-6-3 technique, for example, trains breathing control by inhaling for six seconds, holding for three seconds, exhaling for six seconds and pausing for another three seconds. It is particularly suitable for stabilising your own performance in stressful phases.
Another tried and tested technique is conscious breath control, which involves focussing attention on the flow of breath. This promotes concentration and helps to cope better with stressful situations, both physically and mentally.
BEST PRACTICE at ABC (name changed due to NDA contract) One team leader integrated short breathing breaks with breath control into his daily work routine. He noticed that this enabled him to make focussed and clear decisions more quickly, which significantly improved the team dynamics.
Heart breathing, in which the breath is synchronised with the heartbeat, also supports emotional intelligence. This technique promotes empathy and strengthens the connection with employees.
Optimise emotional intelligence and mental strength through breathing techniques
By optimising breathing techniques, managers can positively influence their nervous system. Regular breathing training has been proven to lower cortisol levels, which rise when we are stressed. The result is improved composure and greater resilience in challenging situations.
This not only supports professional skills, but also emotional leadership skills. Those who radiate calm create better framework conditions to promote an inspiring and unifying corporate culture.
BEST PRACTICE at DEF (name changed due to NDA contract) One manager reported that practising breathing techniques on a daily basis reduced her perception of stress, made her more empathetic in conversations and improved teamwork.
Optimising breathing techniques in everyday life - three tips
Firstly, it is advisable to regularly and consciously incorporate breathing exercises into breaks or before important appointments. In this way, breathing becomes a natural anchor of calm.
Secondly, you should reflect on your breathing from time to time in order to recognise and correct any shallow or hasty breathing patterns.
Thirdly, professional support through breathing coaching can help improve individual breathing patterns and provide new impetus.
My analysis
Optimising breathing techniques is a powerful tool for expanding your own leadership skills. It promotes mental clarity, supports healthy stress management and helps you to lead with authenticity and presence. Managers who specifically control their breathing not only gain a solid basis for their own leadership, but also a stronger connection to their team. The conscious use of breathing techniques is therefore a valuable tool for better mastering the challenges of everyday working life and being effective in the long term.
Further links from the text above:
[1] Breathing techniques for relaxation: a success factor for managers
[2] Self-leadership redefined: Breathwork and conscious breathing techniques
[3] Breathing coaching for managers - BVMW
[4] How managers breathe themselves into successful role models
[5] The key to successful and healthy leadership
Legal notice: Coaching does not replace therapy. It serves personal development. I do not diagnose or promise a cure. My offer is for personal development and is not a substitute for medical, psychotherapeutic or curative treatment. Please consult a medically qualified specialist if you have any health complaints. The experiences described here are based on individual feedback from my clients. They are not a guarantee of success and do not replace medical or therapeutic counselling. For more information and if you have any questions, please contact Contact us on the topic or read further blog posts on the Topic here.
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