Ramaswami Mahalingam is a professor of psychology and the director of the Barger Leadership Institute in U-M’s School of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Michigan Alum spoke to Mahalingam about mindful leadership, part of his Michigan Online course, “Mindfulness, Dignity, and the Art of Human Connection.”

Why is mindfulness important in leadership development?

Leaders must possess a multi-dimensional skill set to make decisions, balancing the cognitive and emotional aspects of decision-making. Mindful leadership is a holistic approach to thinking about values and cultural practices in the workplace, emphasizing kindness and compassion, with actions guided by the values that are important to them.

Mindful leaders promote compassion, rejoice with their employees’ success, provide resources to excel, and support them all the way. By recognizing the dignity of self and others and fostering a culture of dignity, leaders can enhance well-being, mental health, and productivity in the workplace.

 

Read the complete article at UM Alumni Association

Additionally, watch the following video for more information on the course.