Uncomfortable but Developmental: How Mindfulness Moderates the Impact of Negative Emotions on Learning

Published in: Academy of Managment Learning and Education — December 2024

Written by

Pisitta Vongswasdi, Hannes Leroy, Jochen I. Menges and Jane Le 

Summary

What we found: We discovered that mindfulness plays a pivotal role in how negative emotions influence learning. Specifically, mindfulness mitigates the harmful effects of negative emotions while amplifying their developmental benefits, as individuals learn to reframe these emotions as challenges that enhance learning performance.

Why it matters: These findings shed light on the conditions under which negative emotions can contribute positively to learning, addressing a key gap in leadership development theory. They emphasize the potential for mindfulness practices to transform emotionally challenging experiences into opportunities for growth.

What next: Organizations and leaders should incorporate mindfulness training into leadership development programs to enable individuals to better manage and benefit from negative emotions. By fostering mindfulness, leaders can enhance their resilience and learning, turning challenges into valuable opportunities for growth and performance improvement.