Mindfulness and Self-Leadership. Investigating the Impact of Daily Meditation Practices

Master's Thesis , 2021 , 100 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Leadership and Human Resources - Miscellaneous

This master's thesis aims to investigate whether self-leadership skills can be improved through mindfulness practices, particularly meditation. The study involves a quantitative, anonymous examination of 138 volunteers over an eight-week period, during which participants engaged in daily five to ten-minute meditation sessions and completed surveys assessing mindfulness and self-leadership.

The central research question guiding this study is: Can mindfulness practices, specifically meditation, strengthen self-leadership skills? This question drives the empirical investigation into the potential link between mindfulness and self-leadership, aiming to provide practical insights into the effectiveness of mindfulness practices in personal and professional development.

Drawing from organizational management, psychology, and neuroscience, the theoretical framework of the thesis provides a foundational understanding of self-leadership, mindfulness, and meditation. By exploring how these concepts intersect, the thesis seeks to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their potential impact on self-leadership.

In the empirical section, the methodology employed for the study is outlined, detailing the research design, survey construction, and data analysis techniques. Through careful analysis of the collected data, the study aims to discern any effects of meditation on self-leadership skills, while also considering potential demographic influences.

By bridging theory and practice, this thesis endeavors to contribute to the understanding of how mindfulness practices, particularly meditation, can enhance self-leadership skills. It offers valuable insights for individuals and organizations seeking to leverage mindfulness practices for personal and professional growth in today's challenging work environments.

In summary, this thesis serves as a platform for exploring the relationship between mindfulness and self-leadership in a pragmatic and accessible manner, aiming to provide actionable insights for fostering individual effectiveness and well-being.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Structure of the thesis
• 1.2 Relevance of the topic
• 1.3 Research Question and Hypothesis
• 1.4 Methodical approach
• Interim Conclusion
• THEORETICAL PART
• 2. Changing working environment and latest challenges
• 2.1 VUCA-World
• 2.2 COVID-19 pandemic
• 2.2.1 Basic human needs
• 2.3 Future competencies and skills
• Interim conclusion
• 3. Theoretical underpinning and combination of the concepts
• 3.1 Self-leadership
• 3.1.1 Dimensions of self-leadership
• 3.1.2 Measurement of self-leadership
• 3.1.3 Benefits of self-leadership
• 3.1.4 Limitations of self-leadership
• 3.2 Mindfulness
• 3.3 Meditation
• 3.3.1 Measurement of meditations
• 3.3.2 Benefits of meditations
• 3.3.3 Neuroscientific findings
• 3.4 Connection between self-leadership and meditation
• 3.5 Excursus: Mindfulness in business context
• 3.6 Critical reflexion
• 3.6.1 Excursus: Critical appraisal of positive psychology
• Interim Conclusion
• Empirical part
• 4. Methodical procedure
• 4.1 Research process
• 4.2 Target setting
• 4.3 Research design
• Interim Conclusion
• 5. Empirical study
• 5.1 Structure of the study
• 5.2 Defining the Questionnaire
• 5.2.1 Objective setting
• 5.2.2 Defining of demands
• 5.2.3 Structure of the survey
• 5.2.4 Creation of the surveys
• 5.2.5 Selection of items
• 5.2.6 Selection of scale
• 5.2.7 Selection of target group
• 5.3 Implementation
• 5.4 Evaluation
• 5.4.1 Consistency of the questionnaire
• 5.4.2 Random sample size
• 5.4.3 Evaluation of meditation items
• 5.4.4 Evaluation of self-leadership items
• 5.4.5 Correlations between items
• 5.4.6 Demographic analyses
• 5.5 Results and findings
• 5.5.1 Limitations
• 5.5.2 Critical review
• 5.6 Discussion and future directions
• Interim Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis aims to investigate the potential of mindfulness practices, specifically meditation, to enhance self-leadership skills. It examines the relationship between mindfulness and self-leadership through a quantitative study involving a group of volunteers.

• The impact of meditation on self-leadership skills
• The influence of mindfulness on personal development and work performance
• The relationship between self-awareness and self-leadership strategies
• The role of demographic factors in the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions
• The application of mindfulness in the workplace

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The thesis begins with an introduction that outlines the structure, relevance, research question, and methodology. The theoretical part delves into the changing work environment, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of future competencies. It then provides a comprehensive overview of self-leadership, including its dimensions, measurement, benefits, and limitations. Additionally, it explores the concepts of mindfulness and meditation, including their measurement, benefits, and neuroscientific evidence. This part culminates in an examination of the connection between self-leadership and meditation, followed by a discussion of the application of mindfulness in a business context and critical reflections. The empirical part focuses on the methodical procedures employed in the study, including the research process, target setting, and research design. The study itself is then described, including its structure, the development of the questionnaire, and the implementation and evaluation process. The results and findings are presented, followed by a discussion of limitations, critical review, and future directions.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this thesis include: self-leadership, mindfulness, meditation, work performance, self-awareness, cognitive and behavioural self-leadership strategies, workplace, quantitative study, empirical research, benefits of meditation, and future competencies.

• College: University of Applied Sciences Berlin
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Cindy Krzykowski (Author)
• Publication Year: 2021
• Pages: 100
• Catalog Number: V1464565
• ISBN (PDF): 9783389020630
• ISBN (Book): 9783389020647
• Language: English
• Tags: self-leadership, mindfulness, meditation, working environment, self-awareness, mental health, neuroscience, VUCA, organization, business