To lead: here and now! Specifically mindfulness techniques in the service of leadership

Abstract

"...not many years ago, it was access to information and movement that seemed our greatest luxury... nowadays it's often freedom from information, the chance to sit still, that feels like the ultimate prize." (Pico Iyer, 2014, page 15). Mindfulness focuses on the "here and now" without judgment, reaction or the intent to influence. During the last decade, the practice of mindfulness meditation in business life, in the military and in professional sports, has become a major trend. But what is the reason behind the success of mindful techniques? Why do western capitalism look for inspiration in eastern mysticism? In our pilot study we tried to investigate how mindful meditation can answer the challenges of today's executives, and by introducing such methods what conditions should be considered.