Leadership

During the 20th century, the evolution of leadership theories and models has ranged from 'great man' theory (leaders are born not made) to system theory (leaders are made not born). Since the mid-nineties, the many discoveries on the functioning of the brain have enabled a shift in the field of leadership. By deepening the understanding of the functioning of the brain as body organ and of the mind as operating system of the brain where thoughts, emotions and body perceptions are apprehended, we are shifting towards a new developmental stage in the field of leadership.  

Relation brain-mind & psychology

Another fundamental element is the multi-disciplinary approach to studying human brain/mind and psychological behaviour. Today neurosciences exploration combined with new research in the field of human psychology are demonstrating that the fundamental motivation for human being is successful cooperation. The possibility to measure the various brain hormones shows that cooperation lays at the heart of a fulfilling life above any other motivators. The survival of the human species is based on this principle and can now be scientifically tracked in the way the brain functions. It is not the strongest from a physical perspective that survive, but the one best connected and best functioning in the social group.

Purpose of leadership

A constant throughout the theories of leadership is that it is a process of influencing others toward the achievement of a goal. From childhood on, anyone of us has been exercising some form of leadership. What changes over time is the context within which leadership is developed and adjusts itself to the changing environment. Leadership styles are mirrors of the times in which they occur. At present, mindful leadership is in a nutshell a stream that cares for the functioning of mind of the leaders and the others as a key to success in the achievement of the goals. Often times, we hear that humankind needs to tap into its potential. To do so we need to develop a sense of purpose, understand the type(s) of intelligence(s) that will be needed and actively nurture the(se) intelligence(s). This leads to an alignment between:

• the goal;
• the knowledge needed;
• the cultivation and activation of this knowledge; and
• the story we tell to explain what we are doing and where we are heading to.

In mindful leadership, another factor plays an essential role: our intention or sense of purpose:
‘Purpose is that deepest dimension within us – our central core or essence where we have a profound sense of who we are, where we come from, where we are going. Purpose is the quality we choose to shape our life around. Purpose is a source of energy and direction.’

Without a sense of purpose, leaders lack the motivation to follow through and achieve the goals. Talking of purpose, the purpose of mindful leadership is to contribute to the building of a culture where we collectively contribute to the cultivation of human intelligence.

Dickman and Standford-Blair (Mindful Leadership, 2009) describe some practices that can support the cultivation of some of the characteristics of the nature of human intelligence as follows:

• physiological (mind-body connection) nature of intelligence can be cultivated by ensuring brain fitness (sport, nutrition, drinking water, etc.)
  >>> support your physiology.
• social (virtue) nature of intelligence can be cultivated by facilitating meetings of people (minds), searching for common purpose, extend the mind reach by taking part in professional associations for instance
  >>> promote social relationships.
• emotional (judgement) nature of intelligence can be cultivated by easing the mind through the clarification of group norms, clear conflict resolution mechanisms, dialogue, etc.;
>>> harness the power of emotions.
• constructive nature of intelligence (pattern making) can be cultivated by mapping knowledge, coaching, observer position;
>>> expedite the construction of knowledge.
• reflective nature of intelligence can be cultivated by thinking in structure, brainstorming, problem solving, decision-making, debate, analysis, projection;
>>>build a culture of reflection.
• dispositional (attitudes) nature of intelligence can be cultivated by habits: collaboration, reflection, open-mindedness, questioning, persistence.
>>>cultivate productive attitudes.

In form of conclusion, we will quote a statement of Howard Gardner, author of Multiple Intelligences, 2004:

‘Of all species on earth, we humans are the ones who specialise in voluntary mind change: we change the mind of others, we change our own minds’.

We have experienced ourselves that mindfulness practices can be instrumental to be a mindful leader by increasing the awareness of one’s own mind, thoughts, emotions and physical perception. Gaining a personal understanding and experience of the functioning of the mind might be the result of regular practice of meditation and related mindfulness practices.