Building resilient teams with mindfulness: Christine Lustik’s approach

At Ting Internet, we pride ourselves on our human-first approach—a significant part of that ethos comes from the exceptional leaders within our team. Christine Lustik, the Leadership Development and Coaching Specialist at Tucows shares her approach to leadership and the importance of mindfulness in the workplace.

Can you please tell us a bit about your background and your role at Tucows?

My background is in higher education, where I was a people manager and a leader in promoting quality guidelines for early online programs in U.S. universities. I experienced burnout while trying to innovate within traditional education systems, which led me to discover mindfulness and resilience as a leader. At Tucows, I bring together my mindfulness and leadership backgrounds. As the Leadership Development and Coaching Specialist, I work directly with Ting managers, coach teams and have developed the stellar Leadership Training program for the company.

What attracted you to work at Tucows?

The people-first culture that Tucows emphasized on their website and during my interviews drew me in. The commitment to this culture was evident in the hiring process and that made me excited to join the team.

What key qualities do you believe are essential for effective leadership?

Emotional intelligence is crucial—particularly self-awareness and compassion. These qualities help leaders develop social awareness, which is essential for effective communication and understanding others. Leaders often focus on communication or fixing "problem" employees without recognizing their triggers and reactions. Developing emotional intelligence is key to achieving the desired outcomes.

How do you guide leaders in developing resilient and effective teams?

Mindfulness is an awareness practice that helps leaders tune into their reactions, thoughts, biases and emotions. I have two mindfulness teacher training certifications and I believe that awareness practices are the most effective way for leaders to develop self-compassion, manage stress and interact better with others. It's important to have an active awareness practice to improve overall leadership effectiveness.

How do you integrate mindfulness practices into your sessions with higher management?

I ask questions that enhance leaders' internal and external awareness. Leaders need to continuously advocate for their teams and understand their motivations and communication styles. Integrating mindfulness practices helps leaders stay aware of their own and others' interactions, leading to better responses and team dynamics.

Do you have any mindfulness suggestions that folks can incorporate into their daily routines?

Yes, it's important to have a daily practice. We offer a daily meditation at 12:05 PM Eastern, which is a great way to ground yourself in the middle of the day. For those who find meditation too formal, I suggest a "purposeful pause." Take two minutes to check in with yourself—describe your body, mind and heart in one word each. Ask yourself what you need today. This simple practice can significantly impact your well-being and interactions with others.

I noticed you are a significant facilitator in the ERG women's Slack channel. Could you tell us more about your role in promoting women's leadership at Tucows?

I'm passionate about supporting female leaders and creating intentional spaces for their growth. I took on the role of facilitating the women's leadership ERG after the previous facilitator left. My role is to guide and provide space for important conversations that support confidence and courage among women leaders.

Are there any initiatives or activities you’ve introduced to support women at Tucows?

We offer regular sessions for the women's leadership ERG, alternating between topics like imposter syndrome and self-care. I'm particularly excited about our upcoming healing sound bath sessions. These sessions provide a space for women to tune into themselves and take an hour to relax and rejuvenate.

How do you continue to grow and develop your skills as a leader and coach?

I love learning and am always looking for new ways to grow. Currently, I'm doing advanced coaching training and continue to enhance my mindfulness training through retreats and courses. Self-awareness is a lifelong practice, and I make sure to keep it front of mind through continuous learning and practice.

Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences, Christine. Your work and approach to leadership are truly inspiring.

Thank you! It was a pleasure.