Mindfulness and Compassion in Business with Scott Shute

Episode 10 

In this Techquanimity Podcast episode featuring Scott Shute, a Silicon Valley executive who brought mindfulness and compassion practices to LinkedIn, the importance of incorporating these practices in individual and organizational growth is discussed. Scott defines mindfulness as a mental exercise that can be normalized through accessible tools and regular gatherings, while compassion is embedded in a company and starts with the leadership. He emphasizes the significance of creating a conscious business and fostering psychological safety within teams for productivity and success. Shute also talks about his latest venture, The Changing Work Collective, which brings together like-minded individuals to build a community and share knowledge to collectively change work environments from the inside out. The conversation touches on the unpredictable nature of business evolution and the importance of individual development and understanding to create compassionate corporate cultures. Throughout the interview, the hosts discuss their personal experiences with Shute's work and emphasize the need for individuals to influence change on a global scale.

Links

https://www.changingwork.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottshute/
https://www.instagram.com/scottshutephotos/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFullBodyYes
https://twitter.com/scottshute1 

Show Notes

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

  • 00:00:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast, Dr. Cynthia Phelps and her co-host Mark welcome their guest Scott Shute, a Silicon Valley executive with a lifelong passion for wisdom practices. Scott had kept his meditation and mindfulness practice a secret at work until he joined LinkedIn, where his CEO's open discussion about his own mindfulness practice gave him the courage to bring these practices to the workplace. Scott started small, leading a few sessions until it became a regular part of LinkedIn's wellness program. The Tipping Point came when their CEO spoke about compassion at Wharton, which garnered widespread media attention, prompting LinkedIn to officially create a role for Scott to operationalize compassion and mainstream mindfulness in the workplace
  • 00:05:00 In this section of the "Scott Shute on the Techquanimity Podcast," Shute discusses his perspective on mindfulness and compassion, two practices he believes are crucial for individual and organizational growth. He defines mindfulness as a mental exercise that can be mainstreamed and made normal through accessible tools like apps and regular gatherings. Compassion, on the other hand, is embedded in every aspect of a company and starts with the leadership. Shute emphasizes the importance of creating a conscious business that solves for the whole, not just shareholders, and prioritizes the well-being of employees and customers. He is currently working with companies to help them implement these practices
  • 00:10:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast interview, Scott Shute discusses the importance of psychological safety within teams for creating value and success. He emphasizes that feeling safe to be creative and share ideas is crucial for team cohesion and productivity, especially in vulnerable situations. Shute shares some effective team-building exercises, such as the opening question in meetings and the "seven minute stories" practice, which promotes deeper connections by allowing individuals to share their lives with each other. He also introduces the concept of a "working with me guide," a document that clarifies individual preferences and communication styles, fostering better collaboration and understanding among team members
  • 00:15:00 In this section of the podcast, Scott Shute discusses the importance of welcoming tools that help individuals who may not function in typical ways. He reflects on his journey in operationalizing mindfulness and compassion practices, emphasizing simplification and focusing on a few key practices rather than an overwhelming list. Shute also talks about his latest venture, The Changing Work Collective, which aims to bring together like-minded individuals in the conscious business industry to build a community, amplify messages, and share knowledge to collectively change work from the inside out
  • 00:20:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast interview, Scott Shute discusses the role of collective effervescence in bringing people together and fostering success. Kelner from UC Berkeley wrote about awe and identified this phenomenon as a pathway to it. Shute believes that this sense of unity can be seen in new businesses, friendships, and idea exchanges. The first phase focuses on bringing practitioners together to support their success, while the second phase curates and disseminates best practices from this collective to businesses. Shute ponders the future evolution of mindfulness and compassion in the corporate world. He reflects that personal development is the most crucial job and shares his hope that the rising consciousness in individuals will lead to a shift in corporate culture. However, he acknowledges that the future trajectory is uncertain and depends on societal growth in consciousness
  • 00:25:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast interview, Scott Shute discusses the unpredictable nature of business evolution, specifically in regards to initiatives like diversity and inclusion. He draws parallels between corporate behavior and the animal instincts of chimps, explaining that when resources are scarce, survival instincts take over. Malaysia Pku commented on the show, "Chimp Empire," observing how chimps operate in resource-scarce environments, leading to violence and territorial safeguarding. Shute contends that when businesses face financial pressures, they too revert to survival mode, sometimes prioritizing making money over compassionate practices. He encourages individuals to develop themselves and create connections with companies, tailoring their approaches to the specific environment. He also touches upon common misconceptions about mindfulness and compassion, addressing concerns that practicing these qualities may undermine one's edge or performance
  • 00:30:00 In this section of the interview on the Techquanimity Podcast, Scott Shute discusses the individual and corporate applications of mindfulness and compassion practices. He acknowledges the fear that corporations may offer such programs to keep employees quiet and work harder, but emphasizes that LinkedIn offers them to help employees be their best selves and for the company's success. Shute also mentions the potential negative impacts of these practices such as misuse or misunderstanding but acknowledges that these are rare. Regarding the application of these practices across different cultures and groups, Shute highlights that every company is unique and its practices need to be adapted to fit the needs and cultural contexts of its employees
  • 00:35:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast interview, Scott Shute discusses the importance of adapting leadership approaches to each unique organization. He shares an example of customizing a meditation practice for different groups. Shute also mentions utilizing existing assessment tools, like employee surveys, instead of reinventing the wheel. For founders and leaders, he advises balancing discussions about future achievements with a focus on making a positive impact and creating a supportive work environment
  • 00:40:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast, Scott Shute discusses the importance of giving employees a reason to come to work beyond just financial incentives. He advocates for creating a balanced scorecard that includes metrics related to customers, employees, and overall company objectives. Shute also shares his advice for individuals looking to work in this space with corporations, emphasizing the importance of embodying the values and purposes of the work before trying to sell or promote it to others. The conversation then shifts to the role of technology, particularly AI, in supporting these practices. Shute expresses excitement about AI but also has concerns, stating that developing self-awareness and consciousness is the most important thing and that we should explore how AI can help us in that regard. He imagines a future where AI could provide individuals with more insight into their own emotions and expressions
  • 00:45:00 In this section of the interview on the Techquanimity Podcast, Scott Shute discusses the potential for technology to serve as a compassionate companion, helping individuals become more self-aware, present, and kind to others. He defines compassion as the capacity for awareness of others, a kind mindset, and the courage to take action. Shute uses the example of an AI being used in conjunction with suicide text lines, providing suggestions to rephrase responses, as a compassionate use of the technology. He also shares his personal connection to compassion through his love for the San Francisco Giants and the empathic response he experiences when watching them play
  • 00:50:00 In this section of the Techquanimity Podcast, Scott Shute discusses the importance of curiosity and getting to know people from different groups to build compassion and foster peace in the world. He uses the example of his newfound interest in Formula 1 racing and how he became curious about the "other tribe" leading him to assimilate and recognize their similarities. Shute emphasizes that judgement stems from lack of understanding and encourages everyone to be curious about those different from themselves to break down barriers and promote empathy
  • 00:55:00 In this section of the "Scott Shute on the Techquanimity Podcast," the hosts express their participation in the Changing Work Collective and welcome Scott Shute, who is making strides in transforming corporate work. They discuss the importance of individuals influencing change on a global scale and appreciate Scott's insights into implementing practical tools and techniques in the workplace. Mark shares his current focus on business milestones, and Scott announces the upcoming automation of the Inner Ally Questioner. Overall, the conversation highlights the shared commitment to improving work environments and personal growth
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