The Mindful Managers Origin Story...
Taanishi (hello)!
Welcome to The Mindful Managers - decolonial services devoted to increasing employee well-being, decolonizing business and reconciliation. The Mindful Managers was created as a result of completing my masters degree in leadership with my research focused on workplace spirituality. As part of reclaiming my Red River Metis heritage I conducted my masters research in collaboration with the Raven Institute. In part of honouring my Metis culture, I included the Metis infinity symbol in the logo for Mindful Managers which has been creatively and artistically integrated (see if you can spot it!)
In alignment with Indigenous world views, it is my belief that if organizations embraced spirituality it is part of decolonizing and it encourages employees to bring their holistic and authentic selves to work: mind, body, emotion and spirit. My vision is to help bring awareness and guide organizations to do business in a good way in order to increase love, joy, compassion, equity and empathy in the workplace and bring much needed healing.
Workplace spirituality is also deeply connected to social justice - because spirituality is restricted and inhibited when racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism and other forms of oppression and marginalization is present. Therefore, if organizations want to enable workplace spirituality, they first need to address inequalities.
Championing workplace spirituality can be done through:
*Diversity, equity & inclusion practices (e.g. inviting folks to create connection to self by understanding privileges; inviting folks to create connection to others by understanding in what ways they may be marginalized)
*Decolonizing business (e.g. inviting folks to create connection to self and others by understanding how they're upholding or dismantling colonial systems)
*Holding space for brave conversations
*Enabling authentic connections to self and others
*Holistic wellness and well-being initiatives (mind, body, emotion and spirit)
*Encouraging connection to nature (e.g. team walks!)
As Chief Seattle said:
"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together."
If you are a heart-centred, mindful manager or leader and believe that people should be encouraged to bring their holistic selves to work while also advocating for social justice then you are in the right place.
I am honoured you are here. You are welcome to explore, interact, engage and reflect.
All my relations.
Vanessa Lesperance
Founder | Facilitator | Speaker
Bio
Vanessa Lesperance is a mixed heritage woman. European Settler on her dad's side and Red River Metis on her mom's paternal side.
Originally from Treaty 1 territory Vanessa now resides on Coast Salish territory.
She holds a masters of arts in leadership from Royal Roads University and a graduate diploma in business from SFU.
After 12 years of corporate experience Vanessa decided to venture into the self-employed world.
She's worked with Indigenous women entrepreneurs from across the country as the LIFT Circle lead with the Indigenous LIFT Collective (co-creating community; running programs and services; and advocating for improvements in Indigenous procurement with federal ministers). You can listen to the podcast she was co-host of called Circles of Matriarchy here.
Vanessa is also an instructor at the Justice Institute teaching in the Centre for Conflict Resolution (Power & Privilege) and Centre for Leadership (Leading Self and Leading Through Teams).
Vanessa loves salsa (food and dance); going to drag shows; and sitting on her balcony with a good book and cup of coffee. She is also a proud member of the Manitoba Metis Federation.