Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this hermeneutic qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of leaders who practice breathwork and mindfulness. The researcher’s goal was to examine the impact that breathwork has on mindfulness and how mindfulness manifests itself in leadership. A phenomenological methodology was used to explore the phenomenon through the lens of social cognitive theory.
Methodology. The design of this study was qualitative, and it employed a hermeneutic phenomenological research method. The method explored the lived experience of those in a leadership role who practice breathwork and mindfulness. To examine the participants’ lived experiences, they responded to semi-structured interview questions. The five participants had varied levels of leadership experience.
Findings. The study identified three common themes among the research participants: relationships and interpersonal dynamics, self-awareness and personal development, and leadership and professional development. The results indicated that the self-awareness and personal development theme forms the base for the leadership behaviors, as it was shown to be the motivating factor behind the practices of breathwork and mindfulness.
Conclusions. The results of this research add to the literature on the experience of leaders who practice breathwork and mindfulness and the connection between these practices and the impact they have on leadership behaviors.
Implications. The findings of this study add to the field of leadership study, as it gives insight into the benefits of mindfulness practices and their behavioral impacts.
Recommendations. Further research should explore the connection between mindfulness practices and the behaviors of team members. Additionally, the impact of mindfulness on different leadership styles can also be explored.