As President & CEO for Ricoh North America, Carsten Bruhn leads the information management and digital services company. With the 2024 Summer Olympics approaching, he draws parallels between elite athletes and business leaders competing for top talent and customer loyalty. Bruhn emphasizes the importance of prioritizing peace of mind to excel in challenging circumstances, believing that a calm and confident leader can bring out the best in their team.
Bruhn shares his personal journey with mindfulness, highlighting how martial arts have helped him sharpen his focus, deepen his awareness, and promote inner peace. He discusses the challenges of finding work/life balance in today’s hyper-connected world and stresses the importance of disconnecting to cultivate harmony. Embracing mindfulness as a cognitive skill can help sustain focus in the present moment, leading to a more resilient, agile, and engaged team.
Deloitte Insights and IMD have recognized the benefits of mindfulness in empowering individuals to navigate change, respond to challenges with creativity, and improve leadership skills. Bruhn believes that leaders who master mindfulness can make strategically sound and ethically grounded decisions, creating a culture of risk-taking, growth, and innovation in the workplace. He encourages business leaders to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace through training, regular breaks, quiet spaces, work-life harmony, leading by example, and fostering a culture of gratitude and appreciation.
Bruhn reminds his teams to take care of themselves and support each other, emphasizing the importance of work/life harmony. He encourages business leaders to inspire their teams to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, and prevent burnout by incorporating mindfulness into daily practices. By celebrating the triumphs of athletes on the world stage and applying the lessons they impart on leadership and success, leaders can harness the winning spirit within themselves and pave a path towards a brighter future for both business and life.
The Forbes Business Council is recognized as the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Carsten Bruhn’s insights on mindfulness and leadership serve as a valuable resource for business professionals looking to enhance their skills, cultivate a positive work environment, and achieve success in the competitive business landscape.
