Yesterday was my first day back at work after a short break – spent in the depths of Kent at the Oxon Hoath Retreat Centre on a TM retreat.

TM – or transcendental meditation – is one of the first meditation techniques to become popular in the West.  Like many other ‘alternative’ approaches, it attracts a wide range of responses – from those who revile it, through those who are interested in its benefits from a purely pragmatic point of view right through to those who are deeply versed in the spiritual thinking and teachings that lie behind it.

I fall squarely in the middle of this spectrum (at least for now).  I was attracted to TM as much on the recommendation of a good friend who is also a highly successful businessman as I was for any spiritual reasons – though I do enjoy the opportunity to learn more that is on offer at Oxon Hoath.  My friend’s experience on starting to meditate was typical and included such things as increased concentration and effectiveness.

What on earth, though, has meditation to do with leadership?  Well, quite a lot.  Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, whose careers have focused on conducting research into what differentiates the most outstanding leaders, include a whole chapter on Mindfulness in their book Resonant Leadership.  Why is it important for leaders?  Here’s a quick brainstorm:

• Practices such as meditation which support mindfulness help to clear the mind, leading to increased clarity of thinking and improved decision-making;
• Clearing the mind also reduces levels of stress by releasing stressful thoughts and clearing the mind – a bit like clearing a blocked cognitive ‘drain’;
• Sustaining mindfulness through regular meditation or other activities helps leaders to sustain the high levels of performance needed to lead effectively over time (and to know when it’s time to stop and rest):  mindful leaders can lead effectively for longer periods during the day and over time.