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Mindfulness at work (Glomb, Duffy et al, 2012) - Human Resources

Mindfulness at work (Glomb, Duffy et al, 2012) - Human Resources

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<strong>Mindfulness</strong> <strong>at</strong> Work 133Second, a growing body of research indic<strong>at</strong>es th<strong>at</strong> physiologic<strong>al</strong> awarenessand regul<strong>at</strong>ion promotes emp<strong>at</strong>hy (e.g., Cozolino, 2006). In the process of<strong>at</strong>tuning and reson<strong>at</strong>ing with others, individu<strong>al</strong>s use subcortic<strong>al</strong> d<strong>at</strong>a (i.e.,heart r<strong>at</strong>e, limbic system) to guide their responses. The act of emp<strong>at</strong>hyrequires individu<strong>al</strong>s to experience, emotion<strong>al</strong>ly and physiologic<strong>al</strong>ly, theinner experience of others. As part of the emp<strong>at</strong>hy process, the physiologic<strong>al</strong>and limbic systems send sign<strong>al</strong>s to the body and brain <strong>al</strong>lowing individu<strong>al</strong>sto liter<strong>al</strong>ly feel wh<strong>at</strong> the other person is experiencing.Third, mindfulness increases our ability to toler<strong>at</strong>e neg<strong>at</strong>ive emotions inourselves and others (Tipsord, 2009). Having true emp<strong>at</strong>hy requires <strong>at</strong>olerance for and regul<strong>at</strong>ion of the neg<strong>at</strong>ive intern<strong>al</strong> st<strong>at</strong>es of others andthose th<strong>at</strong> arise in ourselves as a consequence. By observing and not reacting toour own neg<strong>at</strong>ive st<strong>at</strong>es (i.e., decoupling) we can b<strong>et</strong>ter toler<strong>at</strong>e our ownneg<strong>at</strong>ive st<strong>at</strong>es and the neg<strong>at</strong>ive st<strong>at</strong>es of others. Without the ability to regul<strong>at</strong>eour own neg<strong>at</strong>ive emotion<strong>al</strong> st<strong>at</strong>es, we can become flooded with the neg<strong>at</strong>iveemotions of others, limiting our ability to remain <strong>at</strong>tuned and compassion<strong>at</strong>e.Higher levels of emp<strong>at</strong>hy are clearly desirable for organiz<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>al</strong> members<strong>at</strong> <strong>al</strong>l levels (Kamdar, McAllister, & Turban, 2006; P<strong>at</strong>ient & Skarlicki,2010). Organiz<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>al</strong> members who have higher levels of emp<strong>at</strong>hy for theircolleagues demonstr<strong>at</strong>e higher levels of interaction<strong>al</strong> justice (i.e., lower levelsof sexu<strong>al</strong> harassment and antisoci<strong>al</strong> behavior; Douglas & Martinko, 2001;O’Leary-Kelly, Bowes-Sperry, B<strong>at</strong>es, & Lean, 2009), inform<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>al</strong> justice(P<strong>at</strong>ient & Skarlicki, 2010), organiz<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>al</strong> citizenship behaviors (Kamdar <strong>et</strong><strong>al</strong>., 2006; Kidder, 2002), and positive leadership behaviors (Kell<strong>et</strong>t,Humphrey, & Sle<strong>et</strong>h, 2002; Scott, Colquitt, Paddock, & Judge, 2010).Emp<strong>at</strong>hy may be particularly important in certain occup<strong>at</strong>ions th<strong>at</strong> requiregre<strong>at</strong>er compassion. For example, in one study of medic<strong>al</strong> students, anMBSR training program increased self-reported emp<strong>at</strong>hy over preprogramlevels (Shapiro <strong>et</strong> <strong>al</strong>., 1998). Thus, if mindfulness can imbue employees withemp<strong>at</strong>hy, we would expect positive organiz<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>al</strong> and individu<strong>al</strong> outcomes.Affective Regul<strong>at</strong>iony just even being in a positive st<strong>at</strong>e of mind y you know, I’ve only been here two yearsafter being gone for ten and I h<strong>at</strong>e winter and, just using a practice while w<strong>al</strong>king to thebus of dis-identific<strong>at</strong>ion with the experience of having it be twenty below, freezing, andit’s 5:30 in the morning. You know, I’d instantly just go to agit<strong>at</strong>ion. But the practice hastaught me just to w<strong>at</strong>ch it and even have a sense of humor about it y . If I go to the buswith agit<strong>at</strong>ion and I got to <strong>work</strong> with agit<strong>at</strong>ion, I’m not going to be very productive.– <strong>Mindfulness</strong> Medit<strong>at</strong>or (Participant #2)

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