The dynamics of mindfulness in managing emotions and stress

Purpose - This paper aims to review the concept of mindfulness and to show how it can be extended from psychology into management. Also, it seeks to introduce a new model of the psyche which incorporates two types of mindfulness ("meta-mindfulness" and "supra-mindfulness") which can be used by managers to increase their capacity to handle emotional reactivity and to reduce stress.Design methodology approach - It is proposed that the "meta-self" or Managing Ego plays a key role in emotions management and stress reduction by using meta-mindfulness to actively monitor one's sub-selves which react with the external world. The current approach also postulates that an individual's "supra-self" or inner-observer is crucial in reducing stress by passively exercising neutral observation of all psychic activity via the above-mind state of supra-mindfulness.Research limitations implications - The paper indicates how the proposed models of the psyche and of the dynamics of mindfulness in emotions and stress management can be tested empirically in future management research.Practical implications - Mindfulness techniques are recommended for use by managers in practice to avoid emotional reactivity and to manage stress.Originality value - The present approach builds on existing theory to provide new constructs and models that help to explain the dynamics of mindfulness in managing emotions and in reducing stress.