In the constant push to perform, it’s easy to lose sight of the very things that make leadership truly effective: presence, clarity, and connection.
At The New Standard, we work with exceptional leaders every day. The ones who create lasting impact are decisive AND they’re intentional. They know when to slow down, reflect, and realign.
Our coaches have a front-row seat to what works. They see patterns across industries and leadership levels. They understand how the most effective leaders think, communicate, and show up. That’s why, each month, we tap into their expertise through our Coach’s Corner series by spotlighting practical insights from our coaching team.
This month, we’re featuring Cristina Custodio, a Master Certified Coach with more than 25 years of experience coaching leaders at Fortune 500s, startups, NGOs, and government agencies. Cristina also chairs the DEIJB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Advisory Committee for the ICF (International Coaching Federation) Coaching Education Board and brings a rare blend of strategic clarity and emotional intelligence to her work.
We asked Cristina to share three foundational practices that help leaders cut through noise and regain focus. In the video below, she breaks them down and explains why they matter now more than ever.
1. Breathe
Leadership often calls for swift decision-making and fast execution. But when the nervous system is in overdrive, discernment becomes difficult. Custodio reminds us that a single conscious breath can recalibrate our internal state, allowing us to respond rather than react.
2. Ask
Curiosity is an undervalued leadership skill. Asking thoughtful, open-ended questions, both of oneself and others, opens the door to new insights and more inclusive decision-making. Custodio notes that questions like What’s really needed here? or What am I not seeing? are often more effective than immediate answers.
3. Listen
True listening is more than waiting for your turn to speak. It requires attunement, humility, and patience. When leaders practice active, reflective listening, they model psychological safety and foster deeper engagement across teams.
The Business Case for Mindfulness
The benefits of mindfulness are well documented. Research links it to improved focus, reduced burnout, enhanced emotional regulation, and stronger interpersonal relationships. For leaders, this translates into better decision-making, more resilient teams, and higher levels of trust and engagement.
At The New Standard, we’ve observed that when leaders embrace mindfulness not as a tactic but as a core competency, they begin to lead differently and more effectively. They become more attuned to their teams, more agile in the face of uncertainty, and more grounded in their values.
Watch the full video to hear Cristina Custodio’s insights on how mindful leadership begins, quite literally, with a single breath.
Ready to Take Action?
At The New Standard, we help leaders develop the skills needed to create workplaces where mindful leadership is a reality.
