Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business from the Inside Out - Paperback

by David Gelles (Author)

"Intriguing, timely, and enjoyable . . . A fascinating account of the increasing adoption of these ancient disciplines by Western businesses." -- Financial Times

Front Jacket

A "New York Times" reporter reveals how meditation can be the key to fostering a happier, more productive workplace. Over the past few years, mindfulness has begun to transform the American workplace. Many of our largest companies like General Mills, Ford, Target, and Google have fostered mindful practices among their employees from the factory floor to the executive suite. "Mindful Work" is the first book to explain how all sorts of businesses and any kind of worker can benefit from meditation, yoga, and other mindful techniques. As a business reporter for the "New York Times" who has also practiced meditation for fifteen years, David Gelles is uniquely qualified to chart the growing nexus between these two realms. As he proves, mindfulness lowers stress, increases mental focus, and alleviates depression among workers. He also offers real-world examples of how mindfulness has benefited the companies that have adopted it from the millions of dollars Aetna has saved in health-care costs to the ways Patagonia has combined leadership in its market with a pervasively mindful outlook. Gelles s revelatory book picks up where bestsellers like "Thrive" and "10% Happier" leave off, by detailing how mindfulness works in and for the companies that adopt it, revealing the profound impact meditation can have on the world of work, and showing all of us how to become more mindful ourselves."

Back Jacket

[An] adroit exploration. [Gelles] deftly describes what mindfulness is and what it isn t, presents the science behind it, and handily succeeds in convincing readers that the practice is worth exploring. "Success"Business leaders around the country are discovering that meditation may be the key to fostering a happier, more productive workplace. Many American companies, including some of our largest such as General Mills, Ford, Target, and Google have built extensive programs to foster mindful practices among their workers. "Mindful Work" is the first book to explain how all sorts of businesses and any kind of worker can benefit from meditation, yoga, and other mindful techniques. Mindfulness lowers stress, increases mental focus, and alleviates depression among workers. It has also benefited companies that have adopted it from the millions of dollars Aetna has saved in health-care costs to the ways Patagonia has combined leadership in its market with a pervasively mindful outlook. "Mindful Work "offers an eye-opening tour through this new landscape, and goes beyond other books on the subject by providing evidence for the practical benefits of mindfulness and showing readers how to become more mindful themselves. Brimming with insights and backed up with solid research, "Mindful Work" takes us to the front lines of a revolution that is transforming the business world. Arianna Huffington [Author photo] (c) Alison Gelles David Gelles writes the Revalued column and other features for the Sunday business section of the "New York Times, " where he also covered mergers and acquisitions for DealBook. Previously, he was a correspondent for the "Financial Times, " and his work has appeared in "Forbes, " the "Los Angeles Times, " and other publications. He has practiced meditation regularly for two decades, ever since studying mindful techniques while living in India. "

Author Biography

DAVID GELLES is a staff writer for the New York Times Sunday Business section. Previously, he was a correspondent for the Financial Times. He has practiced meditation regularly for more than a decade, since studying the technique while living in India.