Leadership development beyond competencies: Moving to a holistic approach

Abstract

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How can mindfulness enhance moral reasoning? An examination using business school students

“…Traditional leadership development has emphasized behavioral adaptation and the acquisition of competencies, focusing solely on tangibles and mostly ignoring the not‐so‐observable internal and psychological aspects, such as personal life experiences, emotions, or mindset. In light of this and other limitations of the competency‐based approach to leadership development, Ruderman et al () recommend adopting a broader view of leadership development that opens the door for knowledge from contemplative practices like mindfulness. The present study substantiates their proposition by demonstrating that mindfulness training can be an effective way of enhancing mindfulness and moral reasoning.…”

“…According to Rest (), the first step in moral reasoning is the recognition of the basis of ethical dilemmas present in a particular situation. Interestingly, mindfulness also stresses the awareness of the internal and external environment; being mindful enables individuals to view circumstances holistically (Leitch & Day, ; Ruderman, Clerkin, & Connolly, ) and facilitates the first necessary step in moral reasoning. O'Fallon and Butterfield () furthered the work of Rest () by proposing that the ethical decision‐making process consists of four steps: (a) recognizing that a moral issue is present in a given situation, (b) applying moral reasoning to justify a particular behavior in the given situation, (c) prioritizing moral values above other values to demonstrate a moral intent, and (d) expressing the behavior.…”

The Concept of Leadership in the Health Care Sector

“…Although the competency-based approach has much to offer related to development of leadership capabilities, it has, however, been criticised for focusing mainly on developing specific behaviours considered as essential for successful performance in roles, while ignoring the internal processes which underlie those behaviours [83]. Such internal processes include emotions, mindsets and personal life experiences which significantly impact the behaviours exhibited by leaders [83].…”

“…Although the competency-based approach has much to offer related to development of leadership capabilities, it has, however, been criticised for focusing mainly on developing specific behaviours considered as essential for successful performance in roles, while ignoring the internal processes which underlie those behaviours [83]. Such internal processes include emotions, mindsets and personal life experiences which significantly impact the behaviours exhibited by leaders [83]. Thus, an approach to leadership development, which focuses on leaders as complete individuals (as against the current practice of concentrating on specific behaviours), has been advocated to ensure holistic leadership development [83].…”

“…Such internal processes include emotions, mindsets and personal life experiences which significantly impact the behaviours exhibited by leaders [83]. Thus, an approach to leadership development, which focuses on leaders as complete individuals (as against the current practice of concentrating on specific behaviours), has been advocated to ensure holistic leadership development [83]. This model of leadership development is worth exploring in health care organisations.…”