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Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business from the Inside Out
A New York Times reporter reveals what business leaders around the country are already Meditation may be the key to fostering a happier, more productive workplace.
For the past few years, mindfulness has begun to transform the American workplace. Many of our largest companies, 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. As a business reporter for the New York Times who has also practiced meditation for two decades, 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 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 mindfulness can have on the world of work. Mindful Work 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.
For the past few years, mindfulness has begun to transform the American workplace. Many of our largest companies, 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. As a business reporter for the New York Times who has also practiced meditation for two decades, 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 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 mindfulness can have on the world of work. Mindful Work 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.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2011
106 people are currently reading
1525 people want to read
About the author
David Gelles
5 books80 followersDavid Gelles is a reporter for the New York Times, covering mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance, and Wall Street. You can find most of his most recent work on DealBook.
Before joining the Times in September 2013, he spent five years with the Financial Times. At the FT, he covered tech, media and M&A in San Francisco and New York. In 2011 he conducted an exclusive jailhouse interview with Bernie Madoff, shedding new light on the $65 billion ponzi scheme.
David is writing a book about mindfulness at work, bringing together his 15 years of meditation practice with his work as a business journalist. ‘Mindful Work’ will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2015, and will explore the growing influence of Eastern wisdom on Western business.
He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Before joining the Times in September 2013, he spent five years with the Financial Times. At the FT, he covered tech, media and M&A in San Francisco and New York. In 2011 he conducted an exclusive jailhouse interview with Bernie Madoff, shedding new light on the $65 billion ponzi scheme.
David is writing a book about mindfulness at work, bringing together his 15 years of meditation practice with his work as a business journalist. ‘Mindful Work’ will be published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2015, and will explore the growing influence of Eastern wisdom on Western business.
He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 1, 2015
fantastic, informative, exhausting-researched book about all of the ways in which some of the most interesting and effective people in our culture are using meditation on the job. full disclosure: the author, david gelles, is a friend. nonetheless, i think think the fact that he is a longtime meditator as well as an ace business reporter for the new york times makes objectively gives him standing to be a authority on this subject.
January 7, 2015
I really wanted to like this book. Gelles takes you through the growing movement to introduce mindfulness-style practices in the workplace. He profiles a variety of companies and organisations that are attempting something along these lines. In this, the book felt like an extended magazine article. It is simultaneously organised along some key themes: the science behind mindfulness and the research being done, stress, focus, compassion, social responsibility and leadership. The book thus functions as an introduction to mindfulness practice as well.
Gelles also takes a somewhat skeptical look at some of the companies that are taking advantage of the increased public interest in mindfulness, finding them wanting in some cases. I imagine this book would be perfect for someone who wants to encourage bosses or companies to introduce these things as part of their corporate policy. For everyone else, there are probably better books to read as introductions. Try Kabat-Zinn's Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness if you're seeking to reduce stress or have serious illness and/or pain. Try Dan Harris' 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works if you're a diehard skeptic but are curious nonetheless.
Gelles also takes a somewhat skeptical look at some of the companies that are taking advantage of the increased public interest in mindfulness, finding them wanting in some cases. I imagine this book would be perfect for someone who wants to encourage bosses or companies to introduce these things as part of their corporate policy. For everyone else, there are probably better books to read as introductions. Try Kabat-Zinn's Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness if you're seeking to reduce stress or have serious illness and/or pain. Try Dan Harris' 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works if you're a diehard skeptic but are curious nonetheless.
January 12, 2021
This was a great read - highly recommend it. Insightful, interesting and well-written. Lots of useful tools (personal and professional) to take away and put into action.
June 1, 2022
Gelles is an evangelist. His thesis? Business is becoming less evil, one prayer at a time. All the dark parts of Middle Age Christianity, repacked in a New Age rant.
February 3, 2015
Meditating in the corporate boardroom
The author defines "Mindfulness" as the ability to see what's going on our heads without getting into it. He defines mindfulness as means of being aware of our experiences, observing without judgment and responding from place of clarity, compassion rather than fear, and insecurity and corporate greed. In short, he proposes mediation as a way to lower stress, increase mental focus, and alleviates depression among workers. He cites many examples where companies like Aetna have saved health-care costs to the ways Patagonia has combined leadership in its market with a pervasively mindful outlook.
Steve Jobs was America's mainstream meditating CEO and a disciple of Zen Buddhism. He was a keen student of Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism, According to the author, mediation is now practiced widely in corporate America. He recalls that Steve Jobs' business approach was not a fringe movement when he addressed Apple Fest in 1981. Meditation was not a new age movement but an increasingly a prominent part of the cultural landscape of corporate America. Mediation is a powerful tool, says the author, and Zen, a school of Mahayana Buddhism translates into deep absorption in a meditative state and control of the mind. It emphasizes insight into the nature and the personal expression, and deemphasizes knowledge and favors direct understanding through concentration and achieving peace through a meditative state. In chapter 7, the author discusses that many companies are embracing social responsibility for improving conditions of workers and health benefits and boosting morale of the workforce through meditation. He takes us inside the leading companies like Google, General Mills, Aetna, and Patagonia and show how meditation is transforming workplaces. This is a powerful alternative message for profit-oriented corporate America
The author defines "Mindfulness" as the ability to see what's going on our heads without getting into it. He defines mindfulness as means of being aware of our experiences, observing without judgment and responding from place of clarity, compassion rather than fear, and insecurity and corporate greed. In short, he proposes mediation as a way to lower stress, increase mental focus, and alleviates depression among workers. He cites many examples where companies like Aetna have saved health-care costs to the ways Patagonia has combined leadership in its market with a pervasively mindful outlook.
Steve Jobs was America's mainstream meditating CEO and a disciple of Zen Buddhism. He was a keen student of Vedanta philosophy of Hinduism, According to the author, mediation is now practiced widely in corporate America. He recalls that Steve Jobs' business approach was not a fringe movement when he addressed Apple Fest in 1981. Meditation was not a new age movement but an increasingly a prominent part of the cultural landscape of corporate America. Mediation is a powerful tool, says the author, and Zen, a school of Mahayana Buddhism translates into deep absorption in a meditative state and control of the mind. It emphasizes insight into the nature and the personal expression, and deemphasizes knowledge and favors direct understanding through concentration and achieving peace through a meditative state. In chapter 7, the author discusses that many companies are embracing social responsibility for improving conditions of workers and health benefits and boosting morale of the workforce through meditation. He takes us inside the leading companies like Google, General Mills, Aetna, and Patagonia and show how meditation is transforming workplaces. This is a powerful alternative message for profit-oriented corporate America
November 14, 2015
I only liked the chapter ( More Focused ), and how meditation helps athletes such as basketball players to make split-second decisions by forgetting lost shots, moving with the rhythm of the game, and focusing on the present moment.
September 28, 2017
Gelles' thorough analysis of workplaces implementing mindfulness shows us how close meditation practice and success are related. Mindfulness, compassion and living in the present are integral parts of a culture of a thriving company and "Mindful Work" shows us numerous examples to prove it.
August 28, 2018
Weird it may sound, due to my lack of concentration and daily changing taste I tend to jump reading one book to another while reading them half way through. To the books currently awaiting their turn to be finished up I committed another misconduct, by instinctively picking a new book I had little intention to read when skimming through the bookshelf in a local library.
Well, meditation has been a hot topic to me recent years with the key influencers being Yuval Harari, the author of Sapiens, and Sam Harris, the author of Waking Up. Half in doubt but more with blind hope, I started practicing self meditation but soon faced the hurdle where I didn't seem to earn much benefits all the meditation gurus preached enthusiastically. I would've stopped as most of the beginners would do at that stage, saying this nonsense cult is not my thing. So I was almost stopping the regular routine of mediation and it was early this year that I came across a free 10-day Vipassana course held in near Tokyo. Free? why not then, nothing to lose, there I went.
Since then my life has totally changed!!! Ha ha is this what you were expecting as the feedback of the course? Nah, unfortunately those sensational, transcendental, or surreal moments didn't happen. I am still struggling the same anxiety and going through unhappy minutes and hours whenever the mad monkey in my mind plays up. But I do start seeing slight changes - less angry, more focused, and more compassionate. This book Mindful Work describes how the people are experiencing the same shift, where this global trends happen led by who, not to mention why meditation is earning much popularity these days in relation to the very distracting and addictive nature of mobile devices.
Well, meditation has been a hot topic to me recent years with the key influencers being Yuval Harari, the author of Sapiens, and Sam Harris, the author of Waking Up. Half in doubt but more with blind hope, I started practicing self meditation but soon faced the hurdle where I didn't seem to earn much benefits all the meditation gurus preached enthusiastically. I would've stopped as most of the beginners would do at that stage, saying this nonsense cult is not my thing. So I was almost stopping the regular routine of mediation and it was early this year that I came across a free 10-day Vipassana course held in near Tokyo. Free? why not then, nothing to lose, there I went.
Since then my life has totally changed!!! Ha ha is this what you were expecting as the feedback of the course? Nah, unfortunately those sensational, transcendental, or surreal moments didn't happen. I am still struggling the same anxiety and going through unhappy minutes and hours whenever the mad monkey in my mind plays up. But I do start seeing slight changes - less angry, more focused, and more compassionate. This book Mindful Work describes how the people are experiencing the same shift, where this global trends happen led by who, not to mention why meditation is earning much popularity these days in relation to the very distracting and addictive nature of mobile devices.
December 25, 2018
I really enjoyed reading about Aetna, Eileen Fisher, Patagonia, Ford, Google, and how other companies are incorporating mindfulness into the workplace. These stories are the core of the book and the most interesting pieces. The book itself felt disjointed and repeatative. It was not well edited and I would have preferred if the book was structured as several long form articles about different companies, their mindfulness programs and supported research. Instead, it often felt like there was a lot of unnecessary glue trying to tie sections together, but never really congealed into an insight or thesis. There’s a bit too much focus on Silicon Valley without enough substance and it would have been more impactful to hear about how other parts of the country or even globally are incorporating mindfulness, even if it is less a part of a regional movement. Additionally, the book feels white male centered and more research could be done around women and POCs who are part of the movement to give a more complete and well rounded picture. Overall, this book has good information, but it was hard to overlook the areas that lacked and could have been much shorter/concise.
July 13, 2021
A must-read for every entrepreneur and anyone owning or running a business of any size and kind, from SME's to large companies.
If you are looking for some common self-help suggestions on how to meditate, this book isn't for you. Not even if you are looking for a way to demonstrate that Mindfulness has no impact of people's lives.
I'm a keen advocate of a new business model based on Mindfulness, compassion and kindness. A Socially Engaged Business, as I call it, represents the future for all businesses in order to face the challenges of globalization, climate change and, most of all, to deal with the epidemic of stress, depression, anxiety, mental ills, ADHD, suicides and all kinds of addictions afflicting the whole humankind from the beginning of the technology era.
This is why I suggest reading this book and get an insight on the subject, as the saying goes: "Never judge a book by its cover" and I'd add up "Not even from its title".
If you are looking for some common self-help suggestions on how to meditate, this book isn't for you. Not even if you are looking for a way to demonstrate that Mindfulness has no impact of people's lives.
I'm a keen advocate of a new business model based on Mindfulness, compassion and kindness. A Socially Engaged Business, as I call it, represents the future for all businesses in order to face the challenges of globalization, climate change and, most of all, to deal with the epidemic of stress, depression, anxiety, mental ills, ADHD, suicides and all kinds of addictions afflicting the whole humankind from the beginning of the technology era.
This is why I suggest reading this book and get an insight on the subject, as the saying goes: "Never judge a book by its cover" and I'd add up "Not even from its title".
September 2, 2020
Purchase Mindful Work here for just $10!
An enjoyable read packed with great information. A thorough investigation into the benefits- and drawbacks- of bringing mindfulness into the workplace. I'd definitely recommend for anyone who's interested in approaching their own work more mindfully, or is just interested in learning about mindfulness more generally.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
An enjoyable read packed with great information. A thorough investigation into the benefits- and drawbacks- of bringing mindfulness into the workplace. I'd definitely recommend for anyone who's interested in approaching their own work more mindfully, or is just interested in learning about mindfulness more generally.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
January 25, 2022
Honestly I thought it was going to help us learn to use mindfulness in work, instead it just reaffirms that I need to practice mindfulness at work and that it will have benefits in the work place. It didn’t tell me how to do it, it was great for those who have a say in how the work place is fun but not helpful for me and employee.
It felt like it was preaching to the choir, people have picked up this book because they’re interested in it and the book is saying like mindfulness for all the mini stories about other people and places finding mindfulness.
It felt like it was preaching to the choir, people have picked up this book because they’re interested in it and the book is saying like mindfulness for all the mini stories about other people and places finding mindfulness.
December 1, 2023
The book provides insightful information about meditation in workplace, especially in America, and how it transformed the work environment into a better place for employees. The practice of meditation is shown to lower stress levels and enhance focus among workers.
However, I found the book to be somewhat repetitive as I continued reading. If you've been meditating for a while, I would suggest that this book may not be suitable for you. The length of the book seems excessive, and I struggled to discern the need for it be this lengthy.
However, I found the book to be somewhat repetitive as I continued reading. If you've been meditating for a while, I would suggest that this book may not be suitable for you. The length of the book seems excessive, and I struggled to discern the need for it be this lengthy.
August 19, 2018
If you want an easy-to-read book on the state of mindfulness in America then this is the book. A decent overview of the research along with dozens of examples of mindfulness in business, littered with the authors personal experiences. It was kind of fun for me to read because I’ve shared and practiced with some of the people used as examples. I too have struggled with the role of mindfulness in the business landscape.
March 4, 2021
- Mindfulness Simply Means Being Aware and Being Present.
- mindfulness is a heedfulness or awareness of your subjective thoughts, behaviors, and experiences—without evaluating or judging them.
- Mindfulness can help you become more comfortable with your life and to be better able to cope with the problems and issues in your daily life.
- Mindfulness is the Best Antidote to Anxiety.
- A Few Minutes a Day is All You Need to Reap the Benefits of Mindfulness
- mindfulness is a heedfulness or awareness of your subjective thoughts, behaviors, and experiences—without evaluating or judging them.
- Mindfulness can help you become more comfortable with your life and to be better able to cope with the problems and issues in your daily life.
- Mindfulness is the Best Antidote to Anxiety.
- A Few Minutes a Day is All You Need to Reap the Benefits of Mindfulness
September 3, 2022
This book is essential reading for anyone who is interested in integrating mindfulness into corporate culture, or at least curious about it. I appreciated the thoughtful balance between considering critics who have labelled "mcmindfulness" as a watered down version of the practice, and those proponents that assert that introducing the practice for simple motives like reducing stress can have an aggregately powerful impact.
March 3, 2018
Gelles’ focus is on how companies can improve their workplace and employee well being by incorporating mindfulness programs. Nor is his focus entirely on meditation. For example, he discusses the health benefits that blue-collar workers received from participating in short focused stretch breaks on the job. He profiles different companies attempts to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace while interweaving research and results into his prose. If you’re struggling to be more mindful at work, as I certainly have been, this would be a good book to read
March 24, 2019
Loved this book! Shorter, written by a NYT author, thoughtful look at the history of meditation, its practice in the US, and its future in business. Would recommend to any leaders in business trying to figure out their own practice and square that with their company’s goals and their team’s well being.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2017
Practical and insightful
A good look mindfulness at workplace and cut throat work culture of American corporate mania. Some history, some Scientific studies, some pop culture and lots of stories to drill the point.
A good look mindfulness at workplace and cut throat work culture of American corporate mania. Some history, some Scientific studies, some pop culture and lots of stories to drill the point.
April 19, 2018
such an uplifting book on mindfulness. i am beginning to be more aware of my thoughts. sometimes i fight it but the more i fight the stronger it becomes. i must learn to accept and acknowledge my thoughts. its not easy but i will try. i highly recommend this book.
May 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this. Gelles shares his personal journey as well as how mindfulness is transforming the business world. We could all use more of this - and to hear insights from an accomplished writer of his caliber is something special.
December 21, 2018
This was one of the earliest books I read on my mindful journey. Captured my attention right away with possibilities of bringing mindfulness & business together as powerful business skills! Forever grateful to David Gelles for the exceptional read!
February 20, 2020
If you are brand new to mindfulness this is a good read to introduce you to the concept. If you have been meditating for a while you might want to skip this book because it does get rather boring and repetitive.
April 27, 2021
I liked this book during the first chapter and then it lost me. I was hoping to get more of specific meditation activities that help those in business. There was too much backstory. I am very new to meditation and on the lookout for techniques relating to my situation more than history.
March 15, 2022
Started strong but then lost me. I expected to pick up some valuable techniques or insight but the book didn’t have anything that could revolutionize my work life. It’s just a monologue with a bunch of life stories on how mindfulness can change and affect one’s productivity.
February 1, 2018
Very good book about how meditation is changing the business world. It includes many details and stories from people who have recovered from stressful parts of life through meditation.
April 18, 2018
nothing new, repetitive stories but useful concept
July 31, 2018
I enjoyed reading the book. It provided insight into meditation and how it can benefit one's life both personally and professionally.
September 24, 2018
Dissertation reading!
A good, easy read. Very informative and organized. Recommend for anyone studying mindfulness in any capacity.
A good, easy read. Very informative and organized. Recommend for anyone studying mindfulness in any capacity.
December 16, 2018
I loved the first few chapters of the book. The author stress out thr importantacr of being mindful but does not share the tactics and tools a beginer can use ot put in to practice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews