Mindful Leadership for Sustainability: A Theoretical and Conceptual Path

The challenges of sustainability requires to deeply rethink the way in which social and economic organizations are conceived, governed, and managed with particular reference to the values and strong beliefs that inspire individuals’ and organizations’ behavior. Believing that the mindfulness can play a relevant role to embed sustainability into individuals’ and organizations’ behavior, this paper explores the links between mindfulness and sustainability and identifies the Mindful Leadership as a key bridging concept. On the basis of qualitative literature review, we highlight a gap in sustainability research related to management about the potential role of mindfulness. Accordingly, adopting a systems perspective, we outline a theoretical and conceptual path that can contribute to cover the gap linking mindfulness and sustainability through leadership. In this way, we sketch the core of the Mindful Leadership for Sustainability. Relevant implications indicate that mindfulness-based leadership programs for managers could help creating the appropriate context for embedding sustainability into individuals’ and organizations’ behavior, hence informing effective management strategies for sustainability.