Mindful Communication in the Workplace

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

During 28 years of marriage, my husband and I learned how and when to talk to each other about little things and big things. It took time, deep understanding and honesty. We realized we can communicate anything to each other if we use that depth of knowledge to guide us. As a result, we seldom argue, but we feel free to disagree.

In the workplace, our comprehension of our colleagues and clients also grows over time. Smart business people seek information about everyone working together in a group. The result is greatest efficiency. The more they manage their team using strengths and likes of the individuals, the higher the productivity. Obviously, leading in this way also creates a positive environment.

So, why is conversation in the workplace still a problem? As a coach, I constantly hear, “It was not what they said as much as how they said it.” Or, “The feedback is valid, but why did they have to say it right then, in front of everyone?”

I believe the reason is lack of awareness. Lack of awareness that right now might not be the right time, possibly? Lack of awareness that certain words create a negative impact in the person sitting in front of you, maybe? And, lack of awareness that some discussions, like individual people, require greater thought.

Some leaders get tripped up on the advice to give feedback immediately, in the moment. They execute, as they learned, thinking they are being good leaders. I agree with the philosophy feedback should be timely and relate to a specific event. But, I implore people to add a pause before speaking.

Take a moment. Take a breath. Where are you right now? Is this the best time and place to make a comment? Ask yourself why you are making the comment? Examine your intent. Then, gather your knowledge of the person. How do they react? What impact have you made on them in the past?

My intent in writing this is to infuse mindfulness into everyday business interactions. Not every conversation is transactional. Not every conversation is urgent. Take a moment and breathe.

Boost Your Conversation Skills: Key Signs to Watch For

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

Have you ever returned from a coffee with a prospect and felt really great? Maybe you even shared with a colleague, “This one is in the bag.” Then, some kind of reality set in because no additional connections were made. You reached out, but there were no responses. As you scratched your head, did you go back over the conversation in greater detail? If so, you may have noticed some key indicators that the other person did not respond in the way you believed they had.

You may have noticed I recently reposted this MaryQuote from a few years ago. The message is essential to the development and maintenance of all relationships. Who is the person sitting across from you? What do you know about their likes and dislikes? When you meet with them, do you ask questions?

Just like the young woman in the red shirt whose picture is at the top of this blog post, I have been speechless or simply not able to get a word in during some conversations. Conversely, I have also bulldozed through meetings leaving no space for the other person to speak. Basically, I am saying everyone needs this reminder.

What are the signs that a conversation is not going well?

  • The other person continually glances away or aside. This often shows you have made someone uncomfortable. It is a good time to re-engage your companion. Ask a question. Ask them for their thoughts on the topic you were discussing.
  • Your coffee partner leans forward a few times but does not say anything. This indicates you are talking to much. Remember to stop and pause frequently to leave space for them to respond.
  • You are asking questions and receiving only yes or no answers followed by silence. In this case, switch to open-ended questions. “What did you enjoy about the conference,” rather than, “Did you enjoy the conference.” This provides opportunity for the other person to express their views and join in the conversation.
  • A few glances at their watch and a hurried excuse to end the meeting prior to the agreed upon end time indicates things might not be going great. In this case, make certain your follow up is centered on their needs, not your own.

When you see these tips in writing, it may seem too obvious to bother reading. However, through my years of coaching, clients have shown me no reminder is frivolous. Check your behavior. Prepare for meetings in advance so you have questions to ask. And, listen, listen, listen.

You Are Right Where You Are Meant to Be: At Work?

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

My clients speak often about their purpose, and understanding the reason they worked in a certain position at a particular organization. Sometimes it is about the work, but most often it is about the people. Clients see their value at work in terms of interactions they have with their team and colleagues. What does that tell us about success and leadership?

Has this happened to you? Sometimes clients describe the work climate as a war zone and talk about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) incurred as a result of the stress from a conflicted, dysfunctional job culture. They refer to colleagues as lifelines in these situations. “I saved my buddy a few times at that job, but we don’t talk about it. Now we are both in safe places.”

You can avoid, adapt to, and navigate a bad work culture and still be the leader you want to be.

A difficult, even traumatic, environment is not the legacy any leader wants to leave. However, when a person is in the midst of it, it is sometimes difficult to identify. After leaving extreme circumstances, clients understand their value more fully when they have the time and space for reflection. “Looking back, I realize I was there to help my team survive, and even thrive, during terrible circumstances,” they say.

What is my point? Should you cross your fingers and hope you do not land in a difficult environment? No. My point is this: You can avoid, adapt to, and navigate a bad work culture and still be the leader you want to be.

The question we deal with in coaching sessions, is “how?” The key is reflection. Creating a habit for reflection builds the strength, resilience, and safe environment a leader needs to give their best self to their team and colleagues.

Here are the steps to take:

  • First, know your values. What motivates you? What is important to you? What do you value?
  • Use that knowledge as a springboard to understand your raison d’etre – reason for being, your purpose in life and in work. What are your passionate about? What mark do you want to leave?
  • Evaluate often. If you create a habit of taking time to reflect on your situation, it is less likely to catch you by surprise. Many of my clients only discover the depth to which a work environment has affected their team and themselves after the symptoms show up physically. Lack of sleep, constant worry, health issues like high blood pressure and headaches, are just a few.
  • Act quickly. Once you recognize there is a detrimental atmosphere, create a strategy for how to move forward. This one is a bit complicated. Sometimes, not acting is the best solution. But if you experience great distress, burnout, or see your team experiencing the same, it is time to make a change.

To sum it up, spend time understanding yourself. Use that understanding to model positive, healthy behaviors for your team and colleagues. Be present in your environment to understand why you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Network Better: Shift from Quantity to Quality Conversations

I noticed lately at networking events I spend more time with fewer individuals. This results in fewer contacts and, therefore, less follow up. But the depth of the conversations reveals more about the individuals, their business needs, and who they are as people. All of those things are better in the long run for me as a person and for my business. Is the change due to a difference in how I approach networking, the events I attend, or the individuals I meet?

Not long ago I attended a speed dating kind of networking event. You know the kind. A timer is set and you spend a max of ten minutes with someone until the bell rings and you switch to a new someone. This arrangement definitely helps people who struggle to get out of a conversation. The switch is mandatory. Problem solved.

Unless your conversation goes in the right direction that is. Then the quick turnover can be irritating and disruptive. I enjoy this kind of networking, but sometimes it leaves both participants hanging.

Did we remember where things ended so we can reach out and catch up? And what happens if the attendees have many great conversations? Is the follow up impacted?

I believe it makes follow up harder in the long run to meet many people in a short amount of time. I am a fan of the richer more leisurely conversations, of reaching back out to three people rather than ten, and of enjoying the networking.

So, what has changed? The question I posed above lingers.

Solution #1: I Changed My Approach. My focus on mindfulness definitely created an attitude change. Years of working on staying in the moment impacted the way I show up for networking. I am much more content to stay in a conversation than in the past. It is not a numbers game. It is a people game. Actually, it is not a game at all. It is life – work life and personal life.

Solution #2: The Events Changed. This is somewhat true. I still attend many of the gatherings I had in the past. However, I added some new ones. Upon reflection, I realized I now experience a like-minded concentration of business people focused on mindfulness. The atmosphere is more casual. The mood emanating from the group unfolds at a leisurely pace during these get-togethers. And, maybe most importantly, an agenda is not the center point.

Solution #3: People I Meet Changed. I believe this is absolutely true. It is not even just the kind of people that changed. I see changes in people generally. Maybe it is originating from the universe itself. Maybe this is a trend. In either case, I encounter a deeper interest in learning more about individuals at a social events than in the past. People exhibit real interest in each other’s lives than in the past.

Solution #4: A Bit of Everything. Maybe, like so much in life, the change is due to a little bit of everything. There are so many factors in a human encounter. They play off each other and mix around until something new emerges.

In any case, the change is good for business. Why not get to the second step of a prospective new client relationship during the first meeting? Such progress can only add to the depth of the relationship and the ease of moving it forward.

What is your experience? Let me know.

Transforming Perspectives: Fun Ways to Shift Your Mindset

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

The other morning my adult niece told me, “There is protein in ice cream, you know. So, I ate some for breakfast. Protein for breakfast! Ice cream for breakfast!” Interesting perspective.

I remember the days when my son was young and occasionally we did silly things just for fun, like eating cake for breakfast. And, really, what are pancakes and syrup? The word “cake” is even in the name!

It made me think of changing perspectives. How we change them. Why we change them. And, why is a change in perspective important.

You know how it feels when you make a big decision or finish a big task? Sometimes, an invisible weight lifts, and you feel like you might skip for joy or fly with exhilaration. Wouldn’t it be great to find that relief in times when the decision or task is still looming? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you knew some ways that helped you adjust your perspective? If you knew a method you could use to help you move forward decisively, with confidence?

One way to activate the energy to accomplish something is to change something. Recently, I moved a couch in my living room to a different wall. When I sat down at the end of the day, I was greatly surprised at how different everything in the room looked. I even felt different. My perspective changed. I felt a deeper appreciation for a piece of art hung in the room. I also swiftly removed one piece realizing it did not match the rest of the decor.

What are some ways to adjust your perspective on demand?

  • Put on some music you love and dance. Privately where no one can see you, if you are shy about it.
  • Sing to music you love, maybe even as loud as you can.
  • Watch a movie with subtitles about people in far away places.
  • Meditate.
  • Try a new kind of food.
  • Talk to a friend and colleague. Listen to their experiences.
  • Write stuff down in a journal. Notice any trends or patterns?

As I wrote last time in Prep To Make Your Life & Business Easier, give yourself a break. In fact, find intentional ways to give yourself ease and grace.

To delve more deeply into creating a strong mindset, enroll in one of our classes.

Prep to Make Your Life & Business Easier

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

For Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday this week, I wore my beads (and so did Snowy, one of my dogs) and celebrated. To accomplish the bead wearing first thing in the morning, I relied on an old hack I taught myself years ago – make things easy for yourself. That self-commitment showed up for me, and my very simple Mardi Gras prep made it easy for me to sparkle in purple, pink, green, and gold. How about you? Do you take a moment for yourself and find ways to make your life easier?

Here is one thing I do. I box things up at the end of each season, put them in the attic, and then retrieve them ahead of the next season. Hence, my Mardi Gras beads were boxed with the Valentine’s Day table runner and wreath. My bag of beads and special socks, the ones I bought in New Orleans last year, were handily tucked in a bright, glittery bag in the Valentine’s box. When decorating for Valentine’s Day, I placed the bag next to my dresser. On Tuesday morning, I grabbed the bag, retrieved the adornments, and was ready to snap a photo with my dog. Thank you, self, for being proactive!

The concept is simple. I bet many of you already do these things to make your life easier. Buy multiple corned beef briskets around St. Patrick’s Day and freeze them. Then you can enjoy a Reuben sandwich throughout the year whenever you have the craving. Leave notes in your calendar to remind you where you stashed the lawn mower batteries. Then, you have found and charged them in advance, so the moment “No Mow May” ends you are ready to trim. Create a list of all the things you need to do before hosting a gathering at your home for annual occasions. I also make notes on recipes to remember the changes I made to make the food extra delicious.

Yes! We can all be pretty good at getting ahead of ourselves to stay on track. But how do we translate that into our business life? Here are a few ideas:

  • When a conference you attend each year announces its dates for the following year, add it to your calendar immediately.
  • When a potential client indicates they are not yet ready for your services, put a note in your calendar (or CRM system, if you have one) to follow up in an appropriate amount of time.
  • I am very supportive of calendaring! Use your calendar to block out time to work on business strategies. This is especially useful when the need is many months in the future. It is too hard to create the entire strategy and plan in one week. Better to give yourself a head start.
  • Keep a “me” folder of the compliments and accomplishments you receive during the year. Then, you are ready to write your self-evaluation, lobby for a raise or promotion, or feel better after a day that did not go so well. You can take a moment to read through your folder.
  • If you have calendared time to work on developing business, add notes to the appointment to remind yourself how you can use that time.

How about you? How do you make your life easier?

Cultivating a Hopeful Mindset: The Power of Self-Reflection

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today

My niece and I recently watched the Michelle Obama documentary from 2020, “Becoming.” While watching, we both suddenly became silent and sad. Then, my niece said, “This is what we are missing now – hope.” Amidst the constant constantness of our world and continual stream of bad news, there is little talk of hope. Yet another reason to develop and maintain a strong mindset, a hopeful mindset.

As human beings, we look for the hope. At home each night, I cuddle with my dogs, cats, and husband – in that order. We seek out movies, television shows, and people who will bring us joy and make us laugh. At the same time, reality closes in around us.

Because you have the power to decide how to feel, how to react, how to show up in this world!

Let’s watch one of our favorite movies, “The Princess Bride” or “When Harry Met Sally.” Oh, that’s right, Rob Reiner and his wife were murdered. Okay. Let’s pick up some hamburger and have nachos for dinner. Oh, that’s right, at $6.99 per pound, we can’t afford hamburger. Veggie and black bean nachos sound good?

What do we do? What can we do? Look backward, forward, and sideways for the hope you seek. I am completely serious. Do not give up your quest for hope and happiness.

For me, the solution for finding hope and happiness is first to look inward. I build a strong, happy, and hopeful mindset first by writing down my thoughts. It is no secret I am offering journaling classes this month. I will continue to offer them throughout the year.

Why look inward? Why journaling? Why start with yourself? Because you have the power to decide how to feel, how to react, how to show up in this world! And the source of that power is a strong, hopeful, positive mindset.

Here is what journaling can do?

  • Trends emerge through journaling that illuminate how I respond to the world.
  • I discover both my negative reactions – those that are harmful to my mindset – and my positive reactions – those that help me achieve by noticing what I have written in my journal.
  • When I am down, my writings reveal happy times and past accomplishments. These memories replenish me.
  • The ritual of taking quiet time for myself to decompress is self-care.

Look inward for hope. Replenish yourself. Then share it with your community. And, if you need help doing that, join a journaling class or reach out to me at mary@mbtmorebusinesstodayllc.com. I am here to support you in your journey to mindful leadership.

Finding Simple Solutions in Complex Times

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today LLC

I’m thinking about more than pens this morning. Sometimes simpler is better. I was playing Word with Friends. I had the chance to play a really cool word, but would earn only 12 points. I also had the ability to play a totally lame word, za, and get 65 points. Today I chose the simple solution and reaped the benefits.

Then I pondered my daily life and those of my clients. The issues and obstacles we face at home and at work sometimes pile up. The more of them we experience, the more complicated they seem. We look for new solutions, thinking and thinking until our thinker turns blue. If only there was a new way to solve this puzzle.

Of course, often the answer is right in front of us. Sometimes it is a combination of tried and true methods known to generate good results. Sometimes an obvious resolution lies directly in front of us waiting patiently to be uncovered.

Sometimes the most elegant solution is the most obvious and the most accessible.

Some people are excellent at seeing simple solutions. My husband, Steve Thompson, is one of the best. He prides himself on being “basic.” To him this means his needs are basic – eat, drink, love, laugh, work, nap, repeat. He is a voracious reader of books, mostly science fiction or biographies, and watcher of movies of all kinds. He seldom talks about these hobbies except to bring them out when offering a simple fix to a problem the rest of us have spent an hour debating.

Do you have someone on your team like this? How great that is for you and your team! I am so glad Steve is on my team in life. He can cut through the clutter of the webs made by over thinking and drive directly to the heart of the obstacle. Usually, his solutions begin with, “Well, that person does not like mustard. Stop giving them mustard,” except, the mustard is something else equally as obvious.

People like Steve remind me to turn to the basics. Sometimes the most elegant solution is the most obvious. The answers begin with acknowledging what you know to be true about yourself, your business, your team, and your customers. We do not always need to invent the iPhone. Let’s find ways to improve it.

Start with a few simple questions and:

  1. Ask yourself.
  2. Ask your team.
  3. Ask your clients.

What answers might you find? What worked in the past? Do it again! What did the clients say they wanted more of? Do more of it! And what saps your energy yielding only small results? Stop doing that.

Remember to use your journal for solutions that appear when you are half asleep or exercising or driving – all those spaces you are in where your mind is free to breathe. If you form the habit to write down your thoughts, you have created another resource for yourself and your business when you are stuck.

Look for those simple solutions. It is okay to play the boring word and make 65 points sometimes. Just make sure you stop serving mustard to people who do not like it.

If you are interested in forming a habit of journaling, consider joining our Four Fridays in February group coaching class focused on it. Just e-mail mary@mbtmorebusinesstodayllc.com for more information.

Make It Happen: Go All in on Journaling in 2026

©The MBT Blog published by MBT Mindful Business Today LLC

When I reflect on the challenges of 2025, I am grateful I learned how to journal earlier in life. My family suffered a tragedy at the end of 2024. During that awful time, I realized that somehow, miraculously?, I remained grounded in the face of terrible grief and trauma. How did that happen? It was the result of years of focus on learning how to manage my emotions, learning to identify my own needs, and relying on the simple act of writing things down.

In adapting my business now to the needs of my clients, I am changing the name of my company from MBT More Business Today to MBT Mindful Business Today. In fact, MBT will focus more strongly on mindfulness than ever before. The center of that focus is journaling.

My clients see the results of noting their thoughts and experiences, whether they are working on bringing in new business or becoming better leaders. There is power in the act of writing something down. It gives the words weight and permanence. It takes something abstract and makes it real. I uncovers trends and truths.

The alignment of mindset with values and purpose produces results. It keeps out the noise that disrupts our focus. It wrangles in negative self-talk. It helps us find the roots – internal and external – that derail our progress to our goals.

Simply put, a strong mindset clears the way for confident, decisive action. Then, the action creates pathways for pursuit of success. The final result is achievement of goals set.

For all of these reasons, I believe journaling to be a critical tool for cultivating a business mindset. Coupling the skill with coaching guides individuals through the process of using mindfulness in business.

If you wish to create a habit of journaling this year, join our group coaching classes Four Fridays in February. Email mary@mbtmorebusinesstodayllc.com for more information.

Focus on Building A Strong Mindset in 2026

©The MBT Blog published by MBT More Business Today LLC

During these last few weeks of the year, we turn to introspection. I looked for the greatest lessons of 2025 and thought about how they impact 2026. The strength of mindset emerges as the most important skill needed to thrive in today’s workplace and world. As life pushes, pulls, elongates and changes at home and at work, clients rely on emotional intelligence skills to manage their reactions. 

What that means for me, The Mindful Business Coach, and my business is a company-wide focus on supporting clients to build mindfulness and resilience. I hear about the friction in the workplace. I listen to stories about a huge increase in client anxiety. I understand that the only thing we can control is ourselves. It is time to strengthen our internal emotional management skills to best thrive in the new year.

The photo shows me Behind the Mask I created when I participated in the event by the same name for NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) in March. The discussion focused on what goes on behind the masks of women business owners. Along with a group of four brave women, I talked about the impact grief, the economy, and changes in the administration made on my business.

In tough times, I return to what I can control. I return to mindfulness, introspection, and self-management. My response to the obstacles clients are facing, is to offer programming that teaches and hones those skills.

Here are samples of what I will offer. Watch social media and future blog posts for more information.


  • **Four Fridays in February     – Journaling helps us work through issues and emotions by discovering the clues to our behavior. My clients want to journal but often struggle to make it a practice. Hint: it does not have to be perfect. The sentences do not even need to be complete. During these 45 minute group coaching classes, we will discuss journaling, learn specific prompts to try, and spend quiet time actually doing it. Group runs 11:30 until 12:15 p.m. Central Time Feb. 6, 13, 20 & 27. 

    **Mindful Management March – It is one thing to think and talk about how to best manage our emotions, and quite another thing to do it successfully while leading a team. These Group Coaching Sessions focus on creating self-management techniques to use in the moment. Each participant receives access to the TypeCoach Verifier (a $150 value), a group debrief on interpreting results, and four, one-hour group coaching sessions in March (session dates will be chosen based on availability of participants).

Watch for something new each month! Let’s capture self-control, resilience, and strong mindsets together in 2026!