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Cited by 48Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsWorkplace Spirituality and LeadershipPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

What is mindfulness, and why should organizations care about it?

Shapiro, Shauna L., Wang, Margaret C., Peltason, Emily H.·2015·Mindfulness in Organizations
DOI 10.1017/cbo9781107587793.004
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Abstract

Introduction Mindfulness offers the potential to transform internal and external environments in a way that nurtures growth, emotional intelligence, creativity, innovation and the capacity to respond to life with an open mind and a wise heart. In business, mindfulness may confer powerful advantages. Research suggests that fear-based, top-down hierarchies inhibit creativity and innovation, whereas attuned, empathic, and spacious environments catalyze human capacity. The thoughtful incorporation of mindfulness into a professional culture can evolve a work environment toward a richer and more creative state, where one's “work” arises from a state of being rather than reactive doing. This chapter offers a brief overview of mindfulness and its applications in workplace settings. We review the literature and explore mechanisms of action for its beneficial effects. We propose specific pathways of integrating mindfulness, as a self-care practice as well as a way to cultivate professional effectiveness. Finally, we explore future directions of integrating mindfulness in organizational settings, offering our aspirations for the modern promise of this ancient tradition. What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is above all about presence. It is about inhabiting our lives fully, and bringing all of our awareness into the present moment. Mindfulness fundamentally is a way of being, a way of relating to experience, moment by moment. A simple, yet nuanced definition of mindfulness is “the awareness that arises through intentionally attending in an open, caring, and discerning way” (Shapiro and Carlson 2009). Mindfulness practice provides the framework through which we can sharpen and develop this state of consciousness. When we practice we cultivate mindfulness, and yet mindfulness is always already here within us (Shapiro, Carlson, Astin, and Freedman, 2006). The definition of mindfulness can be unpacked into three core elements: intention, attention, and attitude (IAA). Intention, attention, and attitude are not separate processes or stages, but rather interwoven aspects of a single cyclic process , the three elements informing and feeding back into each other.

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  • Online mindfulness training in the workplace has effects on well-being comparable with internet-based cognitive-behavioural training and on organizational parameters such as decision-making, productivity, interpersonal communication, organizational relationships, job strain, perceptions of workplace social support and leadership competencies.

    “Not only it proved effects on well-being comparable with internet-based cognitive-behavioural training33, but also on organizational parameters such as decision-making, productivity, interpersonal communication, organizational relationships34, job strain, perceptions of workplace social support28 and key leadership competencies including those related to decisiveness and creativity35.”

    From Mindfulness-based online intervention increases well-being and decreases stress after Covid-19 lockdown (2022) · cites this paper as [34]

  • Mindfulness-based interventions have shown relevant efficacy on workers' well-being and organizational parameters, in both in-person and online modalities.

    “Mindfulness-based interventions have shown a relevant efficacy on workers’ well-being3 and organizational parameters34, in both in-person and online modalities33.”

    From Mindfulness-based online intervention increases well-being and decreases stress after Covid-19 lockdown (2022) · cites this paper as [34]

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Authors
Shapiro, S. L., Wang, M. C., & Peltason, E. H.
Affiliations
Santa Clara University (US)
ORCID
Wang, Margaret C.
Venue
Mindfulness in Organizations
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Published
2015-06-30
Pages
17-41
DOI
10.1017/cbo9781107587793.004
OpenAlex
W2305617106
Cited by
48
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6
FWCI
17.93
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 5 d)
Locations
Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Workplace Spirituality and Leadership
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
mindfulness, workplace mindfulness, organizational culture, creativity, innovation, emotional intelligence, self-care, presence, hierarchy, empathetic leadership, professional effectiveness

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