Mindful Leadership at World Economic Forum | Key Insights

What Is the World Economic Forum in Davos?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, gathers global leaders—including heads of state, CEOs, activists, and academics—to address pressing world challenges. Known for its high-level networking and thought leadership, Davos provides a unique platform for cross-sector collaboration.

The First Mindfulness Workshop at Davos

In 2013, a groundbreaking mindful leadership workshop was introduced at WEF, led by meditation experts. Despite initial skepticism, the session exceeded capacity, with nearly 70 attendees and dozens turned away. Key highlights:

• Unprecedented demand: Extra chairs were needed as leaders from diverse fields participated.
• Follow-up sessions: Morning meditation gatherings saw consistent attendance.

Why Leaders Struggle with Focus

Participants identified critical challenges in modern leadership:

1. Chronic distraction: Multitasking reduces effectiveness.
2. Lack of reflection: No time to debrief or learn from mistakes.
3. Emotional toll: Leaders face stress from economic instability and layoffs.

Global Impact of Mindful Leadership

Attendees shared how mindfulness could transform their work:

• African youth leadership: Training future leaders in self-awareness.
• Gender equality in the Middle East: Using mindfulness to bridge opportunity gaps.
• Corporate resilience: Managing economic hardships with clarity.

A Participant’s Breakthrough

Max, a young entrepreneur, initially resisted the workshop but had a revelation:

1. Initial anger: Frustrated by being asked to disconnect from devices.
2. Reluctant participation: Stayed only to avoid disrupting the session.
3. Transformational insight: Discovered how often he avoided discomfort—and what he might miss by doing so.

"What happens if I just stay curious? What might I discover?" —Max, WEF attendee

Key Lessons for Modern Leaders

• Embrace discomfort: Growth often lies beyond resistance.
• Prioritize presence: Reducing distractions unlocks better decision-making.
• Lead with curiosity: Mindfulness fosters adaptability in crises.

Adapted from Finding the Space to Lead by Janice Marturano (Bloomsbury, 2014).

For more on mindfulness in leadership, explore our related articles on corporate mindfulness programs and stress management for executives.