Simon Grégoire

Mindfulness and leadership flexibility

Purpose In a context of great complexity, many authors have focused on the beneficial effects of leadership flexibility (Denison, Hooijberg and Quinn, 1995), a capacity theoretically associated to mindfulness. The goal of this exploratory study is to better understand the relationship between mindfulness and behavioral flexibility in leaders. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from two samples: 100 active leaders from diverse economic sectors and 62 students pursuing an executive MBA degree. Findings The results show that mindfulness is positively associated with the overall score for leader flexibility, and with its two dualities: 1) self-assertive and directive vs collaborative and supportive, and 2) long term strategy vs short term execution. Specifically, four of the five dimensions of mindfulness (nonreactivity, nonjudging, acting with awareness and describing) were positively correlated with the overall flexibility score. Practical implications The results suggest that by developing min...

Pilot study of a Web-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for university students to reduce academic procrastination

Abstract Objective: This pilot study pursued two aims. The first was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention to reduce academic procrastination among university students. The second aim was to test the effectiveness of the intervention on procrastination and committed actions. Participants: The sample was comprised of Canadian university students (n = 36) that participated in the intervention between September 2016 and April 2017. Methods: The study relied on a prepost research design. Results: The intervention appears feasible, acceptable, and valuable to students. A significant reduction in procrastination and a significant improvement in committed actions were found between pre and postintervention. The effect sizes for these results were medium. Conclusions: Results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and effectiveness of a Web-based ACT intervention for academic procrastination. Results also highlight some aspects that need to be improved for further development.