Mindfulness as a Strategy for Sustainable Competitive Advantage

ABSTRACT

This conceptual paper explores how mindfulness can be successfully integrated in the strategy tool-kit of organizations. The likely global reconstruction in the aftermath of Covid-19 can be effective if organizations reexamine their existing philosophies and business practices. Against this backdrop, mindfulness is a time-tested practice, which has the potential to transcend all functions in a company’s value chain, to create a sustainable competitive advantage. According to the American Psychological Association (APA.org, 2012), mindfulness is “…a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment…” This paper uses a strategy lens to examine mindfulness in organizations, which has implications for researchers and practitioners. First, the theoretical frameworks of mindfulness, and the performance improvements that individuals can expect from consistent practice, and how these improvements translate to organizational level performance are discussed. Next, the methods and tools for workplace application and the steps for implementing mindfulness strategies in organizations are summarized. Finally, implementation challenges are described and the assessment tools for mindfulness are offered.