Corporate Mindfulness
Jon Kabat-Zinn (1994) defines mindfulness as "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally."
Among the key areas of intervention and benefits of mindfulness based programs for individuals, groups and organisations:
-
stress reduction and higher well-being, lower absenteism;
-
better emotional and social skills, higher trust, lower conflict levels and better communication;
-
focus, clarity and better decision making;
-
higher attention, lower distraction, errors and workplace accidents;
-
efficiency and performance gains;
-
more openness, creativity and innovation;
-
better leadership and talent development, lower levels of turnover;
-
better preparation to and integration of organisational change;
-
more engagement and higher motivation.
Check out some articles about the benefits of mindfulness-based programs, and the implementations in the corporate environment.
Many companies worldwide are already implementing mindfulness, MBSR and emotional intelligence programs for their employees and leaders. Among them Google (since 2007 with Search Inside Yourself), Apple, Nike, McKinsey & Co, Intel, The Huffington Post, Unilever, Deutsche Bank, The World Bank, General Mills, Patagonia, City Bank (just to cite a few), but also many entrepreneurs in the Silicon Valley, hospitals and schools. Mindfulness-based interventions typically develop over a period of more weeks, with (bi-)weekly group sessions. Introductory taster sessions, lunch breaks, seminars, ad hoc mindfulness and online programs are available. The relatively low cost of such programs, and their deep impact and long-lasting effects, make this a very cost-effective and high-return training choice.