Stimulating Creativity Through Mindfulness Practices Within the Information Systems Curriculum

Mindfulness has become an increasingly important practice established within workplaces to stimulate creativity and organizational awareness. Mindfulness is referred to as the process of engaging in the present and being aware... [ view full abstract ]

Mindfulness has become an increasingly important practice established within workplaces to stimulate creativity and organizational awareness. Mindfulness is referred to as the process of engaging in the present and being aware of your surroundings to raise levels of focus (Batalo, 2012). Due to the increase in complexity of IT use, mindfulness has specifically become prominent in the field of information technology and computer science to counteract hypersensitive technical environments. High-reliability organizations, such as air traffic control systems, naval aircraft carriers, and nuclear power operations, are critically dependent on seamless IT performance since the slightest technology or system error can send the organization to a crumble. Organizations as such are required to respond to potential threats by sustaining high levels of mindfulness (Valorinta, 2009). IT leaders within these organizations are engaging in mindful practices to improve their managerial conduct. This mindful engagement by leaders can spur IT innovation within one’s organization to reveal dynamic perspectives in workplace performance and decision making (Lu, 2010). In this paper, we research various technology organizations to recognize, classify, and rank the use and impact that mindful practices have on the organization. By analyzing the behaviors of the organization’s technology leaders and current industry cultures, we look to identify the best practices that help technology organizations maintain sustainable levels of mindfulness. The identified practices will be incorporated into the environments of Information Systems classrooms to aid the students in developing cognitive skills necessary in preparation of the future IT leader’s career track within modern organizational cultures. The increase of mindful practices by Information Systems students is expected to increase their perceptions of creativity and tendencies to learn in their educational curriculum and long-term professional career (Lourenço, 2011).