Mindfulness–based positive transformative leadership development for health organisations

Abstract

Purpose Positive transformative leadership development practices in health care are perhaps the most important pathway that, collectively, can be pursued while heading towards a post-corona virus disease 2019 world, and race towards 2030. As a practitioner paper, based on front line and leadership experience, this study aims to argue that we need transformational leaders who will go beyond knowing to practice and implementation. While the findings from research is presented from different organisations and companies, they all have something in common – people. Hence, important lessons can be extrapolated to health-related organisations in the future. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on practical research findings based on the literature. The approach uses real practical examples from companies and organisations to demonstrate the need for a new, radical way forward. Findings The findings from the literature clearly indicate that mindfulness-based transformative leadership development program is a worthwhile investment for decision-makers and organisations. A new transformative leader for the future of health care needs to be developed with care with investment in that development. Research limitations/implications Implications of this paper show that health-care organisations need to begin this journey. There is a paucity in the literature to demonstrate the implementation of mindfulness-based transformative leadership development programs. Practical implications Organisations of the future face even greater challenges brought about by intelligent technology, new pandemics and even tighter government regulation. The time to prepare for such eventualities is now. This is not a choice but an imperative for organisations to know what to do rather than react with regret. Originality/value There is a paucity in the health-care literature that tracks, measures, and reports on the long-term results of a mindfulness-based transformative leadership development program. This needs to be addressed, and health care should be a leader in the field of mindfulness and transformative leadership of the future.