Joy as the Foundation: Mindfulness in Business

Mindfulness has long been seen as a personal wellness practice, yet its impact on the workplace is undeniable. A report from the American Psychological Association found that employees who feel supported in their well-being are nearly 90 percent more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work. This connection between mindfulness and engagement is transforming the way leaders think about success.

Recently on The Bliss Business Podcast, we sat down with Cindy Van Eeckhout, Certified Mindfulness Coach and Founder of Alegria Coaching, to discuss how mindfulness can be a leadership strength rather than a side practice. Cindy’s philosophy, embodied in her “Joy of Life” method, positions joy not as the result of success, but as the very foundation of it.

A Journey Shaped by Joy

Cindy’s story is anchored in both entrepreneurial success and personal discovery. Originally from Belgium, she built a career in corporate sales management before choosing a different path in Provence, France. Over the course of 23 years, she and her husband created four businesses, each carrying the name Alegria, Spanish for “joy of life.”

From a boutique bed and breakfast to a jewelry and art shop, to real estate, and finally to coaching, each venture represented a different form of joy: the joy of life, of giving, of living, and of being. But despite external success, Cindy eventually faced burnout. This realization reframed her definition of success. She discovered that joy could not be an afterthought of achievement. It had to be the starting point. That breakthrough gave rise to Alegria Coaching and her Joy of Life method.

Why Mindfulness Belongs in Business

Many leaders still view mindfulness as “fluffy” or unrelated to organizational outcomes. Cindy counters this by showing that mindfulness directly improves decision-making, reduces stress, and fosters resilience. She recalled working with a leader overwhelmed by nonstop emails and back-to-back meetings. Through small mindfulness practices—such as intentional breathing and mindful check-ins—the leader regained clarity, improved her decision-making, and created a calmer environment for her team.

The ripple effect was immediate. Stress declined, productivity rose, and trust deepened. Cindy emphasizes that the way leaders treat themselves directly shapes how they lead others. When leaders slow down and bring presence to their work, their teams follow suit.

Daily Practices that Build Presence

Cindy’s Joy of Life method begins with prioritizing self-care. She recommends simple yet consistent practices like meditation, breathing exercises, and gratitude. Even one intentional minute can change the trajectory of a day. Her emphasis is not on time spent, but on presence achieved.

For teams, she highlights the importance of intentional pauses during the workday. Companies experimenting with apps like Wormspace demonstrate how just three minutes of group breathing and appreciation at the start of a meeting can shift the tone, reduce anxiety, and foster connection. These micro-practices, when woven into organizational culture, yield measurable benefits in engagement and collaboration.

Purpose as Fuel

Purpose is another anchor in Cindy’s approach. Without a clear “why,” both individuals and organizations eventually run out of energy. Purpose fuels resilience during challenges and provides meaning beyond day-to-day tasks. Cindy connects this deeply to mindfulness, explaining that presence allows leaders to see the bigger picture and align daily actions with long-term impact.

Her personal purpose is rooted in creating a fulfilled and balanced life for herself and her family, while empowering others to experience greater joy, love, and abundance. Through Alegria Coaching, she helps business leaders and entrepreneurs design lives where ambition and well-being coexist.

The Power of Values and Love

When asked about values organizations should adopt, Cindy offered her own framework: love, joy, and service. These are not abstract ideals but daily leadership practices. Joy, she says, is not something to find but something to create consistently. Service means leading not just clients but also employees and colleagues with care and intention. Love, perhaps the most powerful, is about authentic connection, deep listening, and self-acceptance.

For Cindy, love in leadership is not sentimental. It is a form of presence that builds trust, establishes boundaries, and fosters authentic collaboration. Leaders who integrate love create organizations that thrive in both performance and humanity.

Key Takeaways

• Joy is not the result of success but its foundation.

• Mindfulness directly improves clarity, resilience, and decision-making in leadership.

• Simple practices such as daily meditation, intentional pauses, and gratitude reshape culture.

• Purpose is the fuel that sustains organizations and individuals through challenges.

• Love, joy, and service form a values-based approach to leadership that strengthens both business outcomes and human connection.

Final Thoughts

Mindfulness is no longer just a personal wellness tool. It is a leadership necessity that reshapes how organizations operate in a fast-changing world. Cindy Van Eeckhout’s journey is a reminder that success without joy is not true success at all. By grounding leadership in mindfulness, purpose, and love, leaders can create workplaces that are not only productive but also deeply human.

Check out our full conversation with Cindy Van Eeckhout on The Bliss Business Podcast.