ABSTRACT
Learning on the job, whether through formal or informal means, is a key asset for individual and organizational success. However, challenges abound for learning in the modern workplace, including the difficulty of designing and delivering effective training that employees will participate in and learn from. Incorporating mindfulness into organizational training may be one way to enhance the benefits of learning on the job. In this chapter, we present five common challenges to modern workplace learning and draw on theoretical perspectives and empirical research to propose ways that mindfulness may help address these challenges. Challenges include: (1) creating sufficient infrastructure for learning, (2) creating a social climate for learning, (3) designing and delivering training in ways that promote attentional focus, (4) buffering against negative emotions that may accompany learning efforts, and (5) transferring or applying learning to the job. Each challenge is accompanied by recommendations to provide actionable steps that individuals and organizations may take to capitalize on the benefits of mindfulness as a tool to improve valuable learning outcomes. Additionally, we present areas of interest for future research to continue exploring the benefits of mindful workplace learning.
