Chapter 5 Mindfulness Training in Organizational Settings: An Empirical Look at the Research
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Ekaterina Denkova
Abstract
The workplace is commonly conceptualized as a high-stress and high-demand environment. Work-related stressors may have deleterious effects on employees’ cognitive functioning, well-being, and work productivity. One promising approach to mitigate such effects is mindfulness training (MT). Yet, there is a paucity of applied research on best practices for MT implementation in organizational settings. We present a proof-of-concept study that examined the efficacy of a contextualized MT program delivered by trained trainers who were embedded within an organization (i.e., Human Resources professionals). We propose that engaging in MT contextualized and delivered in this manner may benefit the very same domains reported to be negatively impacted by work-related stress and demands. Our proposal aligns with a leading organizational stress theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and suggests that when offered by employers and embedded within organizational settings, MT may serve as a powerful organizational-level job resource targeting the strengthening of employees’ personal resources.
Abstract
The workplace is commonly conceptualized as a high-stress and high-demand environment. Work-related stressors may have deleterious effects on employees’ cognitive functioning, well-being, and work productivity. One promising approach to mitigate such effects is mindfulness training (MT). Yet, there is a paucity of applied research on best practices for MT implementation in organizational settings. We present a proof-of-concept study that examined the efficacy of a contextualized MT program delivered by trained trainers who were embedded within an organization (i.e., Human Resources professionals). We propose that engaging in MT contextualized and delivered in this manner may benefit the very same domains reported to be negatively impacted by work-related stress and demands. Our proposal aligns with a leading organizational stress theory, the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and suggests that when offered by employers and embedded within organizational settings, MT may serve as a powerful organizational-level job resource targeting the strengthening of employees’ personal resources.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Contributors IX
- Acknowledgements XXVII
- Preface XXIX
-
Section 1: Interpersonal Conflict Management
- Chapter 1 Shining a Light on Organizational Conflict 1
- Chapter 2 Emotional Intelligence in Workplace Negotiations 11
- Chapter 3 Psychological Safety: Creating a Healthy Conflict Culture 27
- Chapter 4 Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) and the Kilmann Organizational Conflict Instrument (KOCI) 39
- Chapter 5 Mindfulness Training in Organizational Settings: An Empirical Look at the Research 57
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Section 2: Organizational Conflict Management
- Chapter 6 Understanding Culture to Resolve Conflict: An Introduction of the ADVANCE Through Conflict™ Model 69
- Chapter 7 Utilization of Frames and Reframing for Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management Effectiveness 103
- Chapter 8 10 Separations in Conflict Resolution 113
- Chapter 9 Collaborative Practices in Organizations: Managing Conflict and Leading Constructive Change 123
- Chapter 10 Shifting the Focus from Stand-Alone Dispute Systems Design Elements to Creating Self-Correcting and Fluid Organizations 133
- Chapter 11 Stereotypes, Bias and Microaggressions in Organizational Conflict Management (OCM) 149
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Section 3: Intercultural, International, and Ethic Conflict Management
- Chapter 12 Managing Workplace Conflicts: Considerations of Ethnicity and Religion 161
- Chapter 13 Hindu Philosophy and the Resolution of the Roots of Conflict: Adi Shankaracharya’s ‘Nirvana Shatakam’ 173
- Chapter 14 Political Conflicts in the Workplace: What are Their Effects, and Can They be Avoided? 185
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Section 4: Methods for Managing Organizational Conflicts
- Chapter 15 Detecting Deception in Negotiation: From Natural Observation to Strategic Provocation 199
- Chapter 16 The HearT of Mediation 217
- Chapter 17 Managing Organizational Conflicts Through Innovation, Creativity, and Inclusion: Implementing a Conflict System of Shared Leadership 233
- Chapter 18 Coaching and Organisational Development: Lessons and Themes from 360 Degree Feedback 249
- Chapter 19 Functions and Benefits of an Organizational Ombuds 269
- Chapter 20 Managing Workplace Conflict: The Role of Human Resources as “Organizational Toxin Handlers” 281
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Section 5: Special Topics in Organizational Conflict Management
- Chapter 21 Workplace Bullying: Not Just Another Conflict 289
- Chapter 22 Women and Organizational Conflict Management: Promoting Human Rights and Challenging Gender Bias 309
- Chapter 23 Making the Invisible Visible: Uncovering the Mystery of Personality Conflicts at Work 317
- Chapter 24 Organizational Conflict Management: Driving Innovation and Organizational Success Through Leadership Management and Human Connection 329
- Chapter 25 Create a Space to Forgive: Letting Go of Blame and Anger Can Move Us from Victim to Survivor 339
- List of Figures 347
- List of Tables 349
- Index 351
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Contributors IX
- Acknowledgements XXVII
- Preface XXIX
-
Section 1: Interpersonal Conflict Management
- Chapter 1 Shining a Light on Organizational Conflict 1
- Chapter 2 Emotional Intelligence in Workplace Negotiations 11
- Chapter 3 Psychological Safety: Creating a Healthy Conflict Culture 27
- Chapter 4 Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) and the Kilmann Organizational Conflict Instrument (KOCI) 39
- Chapter 5 Mindfulness Training in Organizational Settings: An Empirical Look at the Research 57
-
Section 2: Organizational Conflict Management
- Chapter 6 Understanding Culture to Resolve Conflict: An Introduction of the ADVANCE Through Conflict™ Model 69
- Chapter 7 Utilization of Frames and Reframing for Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management Effectiveness 103
- Chapter 8 10 Separations in Conflict Resolution 113
- Chapter 9 Collaborative Practices in Organizations: Managing Conflict and Leading Constructive Change 123
- Chapter 10 Shifting the Focus from Stand-Alone Dispute Systems Design Elements to Creating Self-Correcting and Fluid Organizations 133
- Chapter 11 Stereotypes, Bias and Microaggressions in Organizational Conflict Management (OCM) 149
-
Section 3: Intercultural, International, and Ethic Conflict Management
- Chapter 12 Managing Workplace Conflicts: Considerations of Ethnicity and Religion 161
- Chapter 13 Hindu Philosophy and the Resolution of the Roots of Conflict: Adi Shankaracharya’s ‘Nirvana Shatakam’ 173
- Chapter 14 Political Conflicts in the Workplace: What are Their Effects, and Can They be Avoided? 185
-
Section 4: Methods for Managing Organizational Conflicts
- Chapter 15 Detecting Deception in Negotiation: From Natural Observation to Strategic Provocation 199
- Chapter 16 The HearT of Mediation 217
- Chapter 17 Managing Organizational Conflicts Through Innovation, Creativity, and Inclusion: Implementing a Conflict System of Shared Leadership 233
- Chapter 18 Coaching and Organisational Development: Lessons and Themes from 360 Degree Feedback 249
- Chapter 19 Functions and Benefits of an Organizational Ombuds 269
- Chapter 20 Managing Workplace Conflict: The Role of Human Resources as “Organizational Toxin Handlers” 281
-
Section 5: Special Topics in Organizational Conflict Management
- Chapter 21 Workplace Bullying: Not Just Another Conflict 289
- Chapter 22 Women and Organizational Conflict Management: Promoting Human Rights and Challenging Gender Bias 309
- Chapter 23 Making the Invisible Visible: Uncovering the Mystery of Personality Conflicts at Work 317
- Chapter 24 Organizational Conflict Management: Driving Innovation and Organizational Success Through Leadership Management and Human Connection 329
- Chapter 25 Create a Space to Forgive: Letting Go of Blame and Anger Can Move Us from Victim to Survivor 339
- List of Figures 347
- List of Tables 349
- Index 351