Transforming 21st-century Leader Competencies by Developing Mindfulness

Mindful leadership is a competency of the future which enables leaders to effectively function in a challenging and changing VUCA world by being able to focus their attention in three directions: at themselves, at others and at what is happening around them. Mindfulness facilitates intra and interpersonal skills, increases mental fortitude and resistance to time and performance pressure, as well as the ability to think rationally and creatively, which helps us make faster, more rational and innovative decisions to achieve a competitive advantage. Mindfulness also helps us look after co-workers and our own welfare, making it an important factor in preventing occupational burnout. The article assumes an evidence-based approach which, based on the state of the research, indicates that it is viable to conduct positive interventions using a robust theoretical framework and documented empirical research results.