Mindfulness Philosophy and the Redefined Transformation Leadership Model: The Case Study of Plum Village

Incorporating mindfulness philosophy into transformational leadership strengthens both, especially through non-dualism and the six paramitas. A qualitative case study of Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's contemplative community, used interviews, observations, and document analysis with thematic analysis to identify key attributes and practices of leaders who embody mindfulness. The findings show a significant relationship between mindfulness philosophy and transformational leadership, and recommend three strategies for organizations: integrating mindfulness into leadership training, creating a supportive environment for practice, and promoting mindful decision-making. The study bridges Eastern contemplative techniques with leadership theory, offering a revised model for transformative enterprises.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Purpose: The goal of this research is to investigate the incorporation of mindfulness philosophy into transformational leadership theories and to revise the current transformational leadership model. The study focuses on Plum Village, Thich Nhat Hanh's contemplative mindfulness community, to discover fundamental attributes and practices of transformational leaders who incorporate mindfulness philosophy into their leadership approach. Theoretical Reference: The study's key theoretical underpinnings include mindfulness philosophy and transformational leadership theories. In the context of transformational leadership, it emphasizes the importance of non-dualism and the six paramitas of mindfulness philosophy. The theoretical framework also overcomes past research gaps, including the lack of examination of Eastern and contemplative leadership techniques. Method: The study takes a qualitative method, focusing on Plum Village as a case study to find the important attributes and behaviors of transformative leaders who embrace mindfulness philosophy. Methods of data collection include interviews, observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis is used in the study to uncover patterns and themes in the collected data. Results and Conclusion: The study reveals the important characteristics and practices of transformational leaders who incorporate mindfulness philosophy, emphasizing the significant relationship between non-dualism, the six paramitas of mindfulness philosophy, and transformational leadership. The conclusion emphasizes the significance of incorporating mindfulness philosophy into transformational leadership theories in order to accelerate the growth of transformative enterprises. Research Implications: The findings have far-reaching impactfor leadership development and organizational culture. It recommends three effective strategies for organizations seeking to incorporate mindfulness practices into their leadership development programs: incorporating mindfulness practices into leadership training, creating a supportive environment for mindfulness practices, and promoting a mindful approach to decision-making and problem-solving within the organization. Originality/Value: This study adds to the body of knowledge by bridging the gap between mindfulness philosophy and transformational leadership theories, specifically in the context of Eastern and contemplative leadership techniques. The creation of a one-of-a-kind transformational leadership model based on the incorporation of mindfulness philosophy adds uniqueness and value to the current body of knowledge in leadership studies. The study offers businesses practical ways for cultivating a mindful workplace culture and underlines the transformative potential of adopting mindfulness into leadership ideas.