Why Women Will Win the Mindfulness Race and the Corner Office

In a world that has become increasingly focused on “mindfulness” and where mindfulness is taking the business world by storm, are women best positioned to succeed than men? The following is what led me to the following insight: it is not a question of if women will dominate the executive suites, but when.

I had the honor and opportunity of meeting with Dr. Deepak Chopra this week. As I was nearing the big day of meeting a person that I very much respect and whose work and scientific breakthroughs have inspired millions across the planet to better understand themselves and the power that the mind has over our success, overall health and ability for healing, I kept thinking about what question(s) I would ask. After all, I had a unique opportunity. Before I had a chance to speak with Dr. Chopra I had been waiting for my chance to meet with him and it dawned on me that males were an obvious minority in the small gathering (and later in the large audience). I estimated the ration of 15% men to 85% women. I asked Deepak why he thought that so many more women gravitated to his sessions and books. His answer surprised me.

He said that he believed that women were more in tune with their true selves and were more comfortable looking inward. In Deepak Chopra’s words to me, “women are more evolved than men in this regard.” While on the other hand, men are often too busy being competitive, focusing on winning and on external activities. This subtle, and until relatively recently, highly underestimated difference leads women to be generally more open to understanding their true self and being more predisposed to self-awareness and mindfulness. What does this have to do with my insight on leadership?

CBS’ 60 Minutes, the Huffington Post, Harvard Business Review, and countless others have recently reported on the research of the clear benefits mindfulness. In an HBR article this year titled Mindfulness Can Literally Change Your Brain the author states “Mindfulness should no longer be considered a “nice-to-have” for executives. It’s a “must-have”: a way to keep our brains healthy, to support self-regulation and effective decision-making capabilities, and to protect ourselves from toxic stress.” In a business environment where new generations of workers are demanding more authenticity from their leaders and where customers will not hesitate to switch brands based on a sense of connection with the brand’s CEO, the more mindful leaders will inspire employees and clients alike. And it is my experience that those that can inspire both employees and clients rise quickly to the top.