Why mindfulness at work matters – the ‘reboot’ for emotional intelligence development

an article by Margaret Chapman-Clarke (EI Coaching and Consulting, York, UK) published Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal Volume 31 Issue 2 (2017)

Abstract

Purpose
The paper aims to inspire practitioners to look critically at how and in what ways mindfulness can enhance emotional intelligence interventions. The paper also aims to provide practical and evidence-based guidance on what and how to design, implement and evaluate mindfulness-based emotional intelligence (EI) programs.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a critical, practitioner-perspective on mindfulness as it transitions into the workplace. The author draws on her own work in the field of EI practice and research and the experiences of peers who have implemented mindfulness-based interventions to offer insights on how to navigate the “mindfulness phenomenon” to enhance EI interventions.

Findings
A series of practical steps on how to implement organizational mindfulness-based interventions (O-MBIs), distilled from case studies, entitled “top ten tips from the field”.

Research limitations/implications
The author argues that whilst organizational scholars debate as to whether mindfulness is a topic worthy of interest, practitioners are already engaged and generating practitioner-led research.

Practical implications
Mindfulness is rapidly capturing development and learning practitioner attention, yet there is little empirical work that is initiated by practitioners and shared with practitioners. This paper goes some way to helping peers navigate what has been described as the “mindfulness phenomenon”.


Social implications
Many commentators have noted that we operate in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world. We are trapped in a “prison of busyness”, and the author argues that the popularity of mindfulness, not only in the workplace but more broadly in society, is indicative of the need to equip people to cope and a desire to create more compassionate and mindful organizations.

Originality/value
The paper summarizes themes captured in what has been described as a seminal book in the practitioner literature on mindfulness in the workplace. It is designed to provoke readers into looking critically at their existing EI programs and examine how and in what ways, a holistic, embodied practice (mindfulness) can hone the skills of attention, focus and presence. With the intention of facilitating kinder and more compassionate individuals and organizations, potentially leading to more mindful and ethical societies.

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