Enhancing sustainable leadership : Effects of a mindfullness-based emotional intelligence intervention on organizational leaders' psychological detachment, recovery and health

• Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to evaluate long-term effects of a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence intervention on organizational leaders’ health-related sustainability. This was studied specifically with regard to psychological detachment, i.e., possibilities for mentally letting go of work-related thoughts and emotions during leisure, recovery, and health.Design/methodology/approach – 40 leaders within a Swedish telecom company active at the global market were randomized to an intervention study comprising an 8-week mindfulness program. Three waves of data collection over a 6-month period were conducted. Repeated measures ANCOVA analyses were performed.Findings – Findings showed that mindfulness practice increased psychological detachment, and improved recovery and health. Moreover, increases in mindfulness per se could be attributed to the studied intervention effects.Originality/value – This research add new knowledge on the role of mindfulness in enhancing positive antecedents for buffering health-related work-life outcomes among leaders in knowledge intensive, modern work organizations.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

sustainable leadership

mindfulness

psychological detachment

Psychology

psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)