The idea of mindful leadership is not exactly new. In an essay entitled “Instructions to the Head Cook,” Dogen, the founder of Zen in Japan during the thirteenth century, advised that the head cook embrace three core practices or “three minds” while leading the kitchen. These are Joyful Mind (the mind that accepts and appreciates everything), Grandmother Mind (the mind of unconditional love), and Wise Mind (the mind that can embrace the reality of change and be radically inclusive).

Leadership is about problem solving and inspiring and empowering others — all qualities that are directly supported by mindfulness practice.

As Plato said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

That is, meditation and mindfulness are not sought for our personal benefit alone, and they aren’t achieved solely through individual effort. The same is true of leadership.

It really doesn’t matter what companies do or produce: If you want to shift or improve organizational culture, focus on the way leaders run meetings