What if the key to navigating uncertainty with grace wasn’t found in pushing harder or doing more—but in pausing, breathing, and paying attention?
As a coach and facilitator, I’ve worked with countless leaders facing reorgs, tough conversations, and the overwhelm of leading in today’s ever-evolving workplace. That’s why I was thrilled to sit down with Kim Nicol for a recent episode of What’s Possible. Kim’s calming presence and deep expertise in mindfulness offer a refreshing and practical antidote to the high-pressure environments so many leaders find themselves in.
Whether you’re managing a team through change, trying to find your own center as a leader, or supporting employee well-being in more intentional ways, this conversation is a gift—and this blog is a space to dig even deeper.
Meet Kim Nicol
Kim Nicol is a coach, facilitator, and the calming voice behind The New Manager Podcast. Based in San Francisco, she brings a unique blend of mindfulness, somatic awareness, and leadership coaching to her work with global clients—including companies like LinkedIn.
Kim didn’t start out in coaching. Her path has taken her from product development to law school, through public defense and legal publishing, and finally into the world of mindfulness-based leadership training. That non-linear journey gives her a rich, grounded perspective on what stress looks like in real-world settings—and what leaders can do about it.
What drew me to Kim’s work is her ability to meet people where they are. She doesn’t just teach mindfulness as a theory—she helps leaders practice it in the moments that matter most.
Why Mindfulness Matters in Leadership
Let’s be honest: the modern workplace is filled with stress. And while some of that stress can be energizing, too much can derail even the strongest teams.
Kim defines mindfulness as “a quality of attention that is present, curious, and kind.” It’s not about checking out. It’s about tuning in—so you can respond with intention instead of reacting on autopilot.
In our conversation, Kim shared a powerful metaphor: stress is like a tangled necklace. You can’t rip the knot out. You have to slow down, be gentle, and take the time to understand how it got tangled in the first place.
For leaders, this approach is game-changing.
Here are some of the biggest shifts that stood out to me from Kim’s perspective—and why they matter for today’s leaders.
1. Presence Over Perfection
So many leaders I work with feel pressure to show up with all the answers. But as Kim reminds us, what teams need most isn’t perfection—it’s presence.
Presence means you’re in the room (or on the Zoom) with your full attention. It means you’re not just solving problems but noticing the human beings behind those problems. It means you’re breathing, listening, and showing that you care.
Presence builds trust. And trust builds resilience.
2. Curiosity Over Judgment
When things go wrong—or when you’re navigating tough conversations—it’s easy to slip into judgment. Kim encourages leaders to take a different route: curiosity.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong with them?” we might ask, “What’s going on for them?”
Curiosity opens the door to understanding, empathy, and more effective solutions. It also creates psychological safety—the kind of environment where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and grow.
3. Kindness Over Criticism
This one might sound simple, but it’s powerful.
Kim’s work reminds us that kindness is not weakness. It’s a leadership strength.
Whether it’s the voice you use with your team—or the voice inside your own head—bringing a little more kindness into the conversation can change everything. It lowers stress, increases focus, and helps people feel seen.
Mindfulness in Action: Practical Steps for Leaders
It’s one thing to talk about mindfulness. But how do you actually practice it in your daily leadership?
Kim shared several tangible tools you can start using right away—whether you’re leading a team of 2 or 200.
1. Start with the Breath
One of the fastest ways to calm your nervous system? Focus on your exhale.
Try this: Take a deep breath in, then exhale slowly—making your out-breath longer than your in-breath. Do this three times.
This small act can help you reset before a meeting, center yourself before giving feedback, or simply show up with more clarity.
2. Ask Better Questions
When you or your team is overwhelmed, try asking:
- What kind of stress am I experiencing?
- Where do I feel it in my body?
- What do I need most right now?
Asking questions (especially with curiosity and kindness) invites reflection—and helps shift people from reactivity to awareness.
3. Normalize Micro-Breaks
We don’t need to overhaul the calendar to support well-being. Sometimes, a one-minute pause makes all the difference.
Encourage your team to take small breaks between meetings. Use the first two minutes of a team call to take a breath. Show that slowing down is not only allowed—it’s valued.
4. Make Communication Embodied
Kim talks about how our bodies are part of the conversation, even on video calls. Are you leaning in? Are your shoulders tight? Are you holding your breath?
Practicing mindfulness means being aware of how you show up—not just what you say.
Mindful leaders understand that their presence is communication.
5. Create Right Relationship with Stress
This might be my favorite insight from Kim. She said, “You don’t need to eliminate all stress—you just need to be in the right relationship with it.”
In other words, not all stress is bad. Some stress can energize and inspire. But when we ignore stress, suppress it, or deny it, it tends to grow.
Mindful leadership means acknowledging stress, staying curious about it, and responding with care.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
The pressure on leaders today is immense. We’re navigating hybrid work, rising burnout, economic uncertainty, and changing expectations—all while trying to support teams and meet business goals.
Mindfulness isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
And as Kim so beautifully reminds us, it’s not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about showing up with presence, curiosity, and kindness—even in the messiness.
That’s the kind of leadership that transforms teams, builds resilience, and creates workplaces where people can truly thrive.
I walked away from this conversation with a renewed appreciation for how simple—and how powerful—mindfulness can be.
You don’t have to be a meditation expert. You don’t have to lead retreats. You just have to pause, breathe, and be willing to pay attention.
As leaders, we often focus so much on output and outcomes. But what if the real measure of leadership was the quality of our attention?
Kim Nicol reminded me that the most meaningful change often starts with the smallest shift.
So today, I invite you to take one mindful breath. Offer one kind word. Bring one moment of curiosity to a challenge you’re facing.
Let’s find out what’s possible when we lead with presence.
About Kim Nicol
Kim Nicol is a coach, facilitator, and mindfulness expert who helps leaders and new managers grow with intention. She is the creator of The New Manager Podcast and offers courses on communication and mindfulness for emerging leaders. Based in San Francisco, Kim works with clients around the globe and brings a calming, grounded presence to everything she does.
You can learn more about her work and explore her upcoming offerings at kimnicol.com.
