Launching a startup is an exhilarating journey, but in the early stages, founders may overlook the critical task of intentionally building company culture. Allowing culture to develop organically can undermine a startup’s success and longevity.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, CEO of ManoLead NFP, underscores the importance of crafting a strong startup culture from the very beginning. He asserts that the foundation of any thriving company culture lies in establishing clear values and practices. In his words:

“Design a culture from the ground up by establishing clear values and practices that promote harmony and collaboration. It is important to have a plan to cultivate your culture intentionally, as it ensures alignment with the company’s vision and fosters a cohesive and motivated team. Allowing culture to develop on its own can lead to inconsistencies and conflicts, undermining overall effectiveness.” – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead, FineFinish Engineering, and INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in Forbes for his latest article, “Embracing Mindfulness In Leadership In The Age Of AI And Corporate Complexity.”

In today’s fast-paced environment, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies has elevated leaders’ capacity for analytical thinking and problem-solving to unprecedented levels. Despite these advancements, the human element—encompassing emotions, biases, and psychological intricacies—continues to play a crucial role in effective leadership. In this article, Dr. Hewawasam emphasizes the increasing importance of integrating original mindfulness practices into leadership to navigate the complex risks associated with AI.

Key Takeaways from the Article:

1. Human Element in Leadership: Despite advancements in AI and technology, emotions, biases, and psychological factors remain crucial to leadership effectiveness.
2. AI and Ethical Considerations: The introduction of the Risk Management Profile for AI emphasizes the importance of integrating emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making to handle AI’s complex risks.
3. Mindfulness and Leadership: Mindfulness helps harmonize the emotional and thinking minds, enabling leaders to make balanced decisions and manage stress, while fostering ethical behavior and resilience.
4. Practical Benefits of Mindfulness:
   • Improved Decision-Making: Mindfulness allows leaders to integrate analytical and emotional insights, leading to better decision-making.
   • Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Awareness of emotions improves empathy and organizational culture.
   • Resilience and Adaptability: Mindfulness aids in stress management and adaptability amidst rapid changes.
   • Ethical Leadership: A mindful approach aligns actions with values and mitigates burnout, supporting ethical decision-making.

Click here to read the full article on Forbes.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead, FineFinish Engineering, and INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in Forbes for his latest article, “Mindfulness in Leadership: Harnessing the Power of Breath for Effective Decision-Making.”

Leaders have a vital duty to guide their team to success and ensure collective well-being. To achieve this, they must first learn how to guide themselves during times of high-stress or complexity. In this article, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam explores how mindfulness and breathing techniques can benefit leaders.

Key Takeaways from the Article:

• Enhanced Decision-Making: Dr. Hewawasam delves into the practice of Anapanasati, or mindfulness of breathing, demonstrating how this technique can improve clarity and focus in high-pressure situations.
• Stress Management: Learn how mindful breathing can help leaders manage stress, maintain calmness, and foster a more resilient and effective team.
• Practical Insights: The article provides actionable steps to incorporate mindful breathing into your daily routine, ensuring a more balanced and productive work environment.

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured on the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insights into “16 Insightful Ways To Measure The Impact Of Your Keynote Presentations”

Selecting appropriate KPIs to evaluate keynote presentations offers crucial insights into the effectiveness of the message and delivery. By measuring audience engagement, speakers can highlight their value to stakeholders, enhance their ability to secure speaking engagements, and significantly increase their impact and influence.

To help other speakers refine their content and presentation style for future events, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam explains how he identifies the KPIs and what resonates with audiences.

“Monitoring my own breathing during and after my keynote presentations provides valuable insight into my emotional state and the effectiveness of my delivery. Changes in my breathing patterns can indicate moments of tension or calmness, helping me understand how I am reacting to external stimuli and engaging with my audience. By paying attention to my breathing, I can adjust my approach to maximize the impact of my presentations and enhance my connection with my audience.” – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured on the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insights into “16 Bad Workplace Habits And How To Break Them.”

Even seasoned professionals can fall into habits that hinder their motivation and productivity, significantly impacting team morale in the workplace. Whether it’s information hoarding or excessive meetings, these practices can detrimentally affect overall team performance.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam addresses the common issue of information hoarding. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a culture of transparency and knowledge sharing as a key strategy to overcome this challenge.

“One bad habit is hoarding information out of greed, where employees withhold critical information to maintain control or gain an advantage. To break this habit, foster a culture of transparency and collaboration. Encourage regular knowledge-sharing sessions and implement team-based incentives or recognition programs for sharing information. This enhances team productivity and trust.” – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insight on “14 Reasons Entrepreneurs Give Up Too Soon (And How To Avoid Doing So).”

Entrepreneurship is a challenging journey filled with uncertainties. Knowing when to persist, pivot, or give up can be the toughest decision for entrepreneurs. 

In the most recent Forbes Expert Panel, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam shares his insights on common reasons entrepreneurs may quit prematurely and offers advice to navigate these challenges before considering a new path.

“Entrepreneurs often give up too soon due to reacting impulsively to challenges, rather than responding thoughtfully. To avoid making premature decisions, it’s crucial to transform reactions—emotional and impulsive—into responses that are calm, rational and considered. This shift can enable entrepreneurs to exhaust all options and potentially find success where they might otherwise have seen failure.” – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insight on “Effective And Affordable Retreat Ideas For Remote Companies.”

Leaders of fully remote companies face the challenge of building cohesive teams and vibrant cultures from afar. While organizing team-building events, like retreats, can boost morale, remote businesses must overcome logistical hurdles. In response, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, shares affordable remote retreat ideas to help leaders strengthen bonds, enhance loyalty, and align teams with strategic visions, despite the distance.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam suggests Reintroducing Loving-Kindness Meditation.

“An effective and affordable idea for remote C-suite leaders is to introduce Loving Friendliness, known as Loving Kindness Meditation. This practice can be conducted remotely and helps individuals cultivate goodwill toward themselves and others. Regular Loving Friendliness participation can strengthen team bonds, enhance company loyalty, and get everyone aligned with organizational strategies through increased empathy.”. – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead, FineFinish Engineering, and INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured on Forbes for his article “Mindfulness in Leadership: A Personal Journey Through the Eightfold Process.”

Throughout two decades of experience leading three companies across two countries, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam has faced numerous challenges that tested his resilience and decision-making. Conventional leadership methods often fell short in navigating today’s complex business landscape.

Inspired by three months of research with 24 corporate leaders, Dr. Hewawasam integrated mindfulness into his leadership through the Eightfold Process. This personal exploration transformed his leadership style and significantly boosted his teams’ well-being and performance.

By implementing a daily 15-minute mindfulness practice, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam created a work environment where employees find happiness and fulfillment.

In the article, you will explore:

• The inspiration behind the Eightfold Process and its foundation in Bhante Punnaji’s “Life Examined.”

• How the eight steps—Harmonious Perspective, Visualization, Communication, Actions, Lifestyle, Exercise, Attention, and Equillibrium—are applied in leadership.

• Insights from workshops where business leaders found greater calmness, clarity, and enhanced leadership skills.

Click here to view the full Forbes article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insight on “Effective And Affordable Retreat Ideas For Remote Companies.

Leaders of fully remote companies face the challenge of building cohesive teams and vibrant cultures from afar. While organizing team-building events, like retreats, can boost morale, remote businesses must overcome logistical hurdles. In response, Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, shares affordable remote retreat ideas to help leaders strengthen bonds, enhance loyalty, and align teams with strategic visions, despite the distance.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam suggests introducing Loving-Friendliness Meditation.

“An effective and affordable idea for remote C-suite leaders is to introduce Loving-Friendliness Meditation. This practice can be conducted remotely and helps individuals cultivate goodwill toward themselves and others. Regular LKM participation can strengthen team bonds, enhance company loyalty and get everyone aligned with organizational strategies through increased empathy”. – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

 

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, the CEO of ManoLead/FineFinish Engineering/INT Terminal Travel Group, has been featured in the Forbes Expert Panel for his professional insight on “Evaluating Candidates Without Degrees.”

As businesses reconsider the necessity of college degrees for entry-level roles, hiring managers must find new ways to assess candidates without this traditional prerequisite. While a degree often signifies critical thinking and commitment, these qualities can be more challenging to verify without one. 

Dr. Gamini Hewawasam, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, was featured in a Forbes expert panel for sharing a strategy to assess non-degree-holding candidates. Dr. Gamini Hewawasam suggests that you “Prioritize A Harmonious, Collaborative Perspective”.

“When hiring without relying on degree qualifications, leaders should evaluate candidates for their harmonious perspective, actions, speech and lifestyle. Look for evidence of their ability to understand and integrate diverse viewpoints and collaborate effectively. Assess their communication style and lifestyle choices for alignment with team harmony and the organization’s values.” – Gamini Hewawasam, PhD, ManoLead NFP

Click here to view the full Forbes Expert Panel article.