Publication Type
Book Chapter
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
7-2015
Abstract
This chapter examines the complexities of mindfulness in leadership, exploring potential advantages and disadvantages of mindfulness for leaders. Such an inquiry is important for theoretical development but also has practical implications when considering the design of mindfulness training for leadership and other areas such as employee wellbeing. In the present discussion, we clarify the discussion on mindfulness by distinguishing between the dimensions of mindfulness -- that is present-moment attention, intentionality, attitude of self-compassion, witnessing awareness and clarity -- and suggest ways these dimensions affect leadership behaviors. We also distinguish between mindfulness as a construct and as a practice, to elucidate potential effects of mindfulness. Given the focus of most mindfulness research is on intrapersonal effects of mindfulness, we turn our attention to the interpersonal effects of mindfulness which we feel is particularly relevant for leadership. In particular, we discuss three leadership styles—authentic, charismatic, and servant—that are widely considered in contemporary conceptualizations of leadership, that have an inherent link to mindfulness, and whose effectiveness can be regulated by mindfulness. Finally, we consider how mindfulness may affect the developmental process of leadership focusing specifically on how witnessing awareness quality of mindfulness could play an important role in facilitating constructive development.
Discipline
Business | Leadership Studies | Organizational Behavior and Theory
Research Areas
Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
Publication
Mindfulness in Organizations: Foundations, research, and applications
Editor
Jochen Reb & Paul W. B. Atkins
First Page
256
Last Page
284
ISBN
9781107064805
Identifier
10.1017/CBO9781107587793.013
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
City or Country
Cambridge
Citation
REB, Jochen; SIM, Samantha Su-Hsien; CHINTAKANANDA, Kraivin; and BHAVE, Devasheesh P..
Leading with mindfulness: Exploring the relation of mindfulness with leadership behaviors, styles, and development. (2015). Mindfulness in Organizations: Foundations, research, and applications. 256-284.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/4409
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107587793.013