Although mindfulness originates with an individual, a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University found that the benefits don’t stop there. The real gains emerge when an individual’s mindfulness translates into conscious interactions and relationships. Such interactions – imbued with intentionality, compassion and presence – can result in more harmonious and healthier organizations.
“An understanding of how individuals bring mindfulness with them to work, and how these practices can contribute to interaction and the quality of relationships, is particularly relevant as work landscapes are constantly changing and the interdependence is increasingly becoming the norm,” said Christopher S. Reina, Ph.D., associate professor of management and entrepreneurship at the VCU School of Business.
In the study “Your Presence is Requested: Mindfulness Infusion in Workplace Interactions and Relationships”, published in Organizational sciences, Reina and Glen E. Kreiner, Ph.D., management professors of the University of Utah; Alexandra Rheinhardt, Ph.D., of the University of Connecticut; and Christine A. Mihelcic of the University of Richmond explore how individuals bring mindfulness to work and how it infuses their workplace interactions.
These practices can be formal, like engaging in a mindful pause before starting a meeting, or informal, like listening to someone with a high level of attention.
The qualitative study draws on the experiences of real-life leaders to explain how they bring mindfulness to the workplace. The main sources of data included interviews and on-site observation of participants. Researchers conducted 30 formal interviews with managers, professionals, and consultants who practice mindfulness in the workplace, and more than 50 informal interviews with a wide variety of people who apply mindfulness principles at work.
“Interestingly, respondents noted how others around them noticed the emotional effects of their mindful behaviors on interactions and relationships,” Reina said. “We found initial evidence that our respondents’ efforts to bring mindfulness to the workplace were seen by their colleagues as having a positive effect. »
High-quality connections have been shown to improve individual functioning and positively affect group outcomes, such as psychological safety and trust.
In addition to mindfulness arising from an interaction, the study also found that mindfulness practices can be used to prepare individuals for success in future interactions, such as when preparing for a difficult or important conversation. .
“Mindfulness reminds us that our thoughts and emotions are complex,” Reina said. “They are contextualized by prior events experienced in a social environment, and in that social environment individuals need to be aware of their own thoughts and emotions and those of others in order to navigate these complexities with skill and compassion. »
–
Source of the story:
Materials provided by Virginia Commonwealth University. Original written by Leila Ugincius. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
–
