| Although there is substantial research on mindfulness and the use of mindfulness-based therapies as a route to change and wellbeing in the clinical psychology arena, there is little research that links mindfulness and leadership. This study used grounded theory to explore the processes by which mindful leaders engage others in organizational change. The research uncovered a four-phased process for the mindful leadership of change. Those four phases are (a) awareness of early signals, (b) acceptance via deep conversation, exploration, and dialogic sensemaking, (c) the catalyzing question, and (d) action taking. The findings indicate that the process promotes sensemaking, transformation, and engagement. In addition, to defining the mindful leadership of change process, these findings add depth to the leader's role as facilitator of sensemaking (Seiling & Hinrichs, 2005) and provide 15 descriptors that characterize the mindful leader. Finally, this research provides a methodological contribution as well by positing a process for mindful interviews.;Keywords. Engagement, Mindful Leader, Mindful Interview, Mindfulness, Organizational Change, Sensemaking, Transformation. |
