Behind the Scenes of Meditation and Mental Health with the CEO of Headspace
Aug 30, 2023
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Russell Glass, CEO of Headspace, discusses his experience with anxiety and imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur. They explore the transformative power of meditation, the current state of work and mental health, drawbacks of remote work, the impact of dread in the workforce, and the importance of mental health support in the workplace.
Meditation helped Russell Glass observe his anxiety response without reacting to it, leading to a profound shift in his ability to practice mindfulness in every aspect of his life.
Russell Glass's experience with imposter syndrome highlights the importance of transparent communication and support for leaders in managing the challenges of imposter syndrome and anxiety in the workplace.
Deep dives
The Power of Meditation in Managing Anxiety and Imposter Syndrome
Russell Glass, CEO of Headspace, shares his personal experience with meditation and how it transformed his ability to manage anxiety and impulsive reactions. Initially skeptical, he stuck with the practice and after three weeks, noticed a game-changing moment during a meeting where he was able to observe his anxiety response without reacting to it. This realization led to a profound shift in his ability to bring mindfulness to every aspect of his life. Glass also discusses the negative impact of anxiety on decision-making and how meditation helped him regain trust in his intuition.
The Effects of Imposter Syndrome and Anxiety in Leadership Roles
Russell Glass opens up about his experience with imposter syndrome after selling his company to LinkedIn and taking on a leadership role. He shares how this led to feelings of panic, loss of trust in his gut, and a sense of not belonging. Through mindfulness and support from the CEO of LinkedIn, Glass learned to embrace his role and address his imposter syndrome. His experience highlights the importance of transparent communication and support for leaders in managing the challenges of imposter syndrome and anxiety in the workplace.
The Benefits of Mindfulness in Work and Personal Life
Glass emphasizes the positive impact of mindfulness not only in work but also in personal life. He discusses how mindfulness has helped him improve his relationships, particularly his marriage, by bringing a sense of calm, improved communication, and better decision-making. Glass notes that even simple practices like taking deep breaths can help shift from a stress response to a more relaxed state. He emphasizes the broader benefits of mindfulness in creating a more positive work and home environment.
The Importance of Mental Health Support in the Workplace
As the CEO of a health tech company, Glass emphasizes the need for mental health support in the workplace. He highlights the significant economic benefits, such as reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity, that result from investing in mental health. Glass also addresses concerns about remote work and highlights the importance of finding a balance between in-person and remote work environments. He emphasizes the value of human connections and the negative impact of loneliness on mental health. Glass encourages CEOs to prioritize mental health and create a supportive culture for their employees.
The first time that Russell Glass tried meditation, he wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Flash-forward several years and lots of practice later, Glass is now the CEO of Headspace, the mental health and meditation app.
He speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele about his own experience with anxiety and imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur, why he was drawn to Headspace as a company, and loneliness and the importance of human connection at work. They also talk through the bold policies he has in place to continue to make sure Headspace practices what it preaches as an organization.
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