While there are many methods, steps, process, guidelines and the business outcome for a leader to make a decision, concentration and mindfulness also plays an important role in helping a leader to make his/her decision clear and effective.

How different is concentration from mindfulness?

 Concentration:

In this approach, one intentionally focuses the attention on only one object, (and in general such as breath, mantra, a focus point) or an internally visualized image.

Mindfulness:

In this approach, one does not focus the mind on one object, but rather observes the whole range of passing thoughts, emotions, sensations, or images. i.e. the ability to visualize beyond the current experience and circumstances.

Leaders who in the process of learning mindfulness often find themselves confused by having to decide which is best, having to practice only one or the other of mindfulness or concentration.

To cause further confusion, mindfulness is often described as coming from one religion or tradition, while concentration from another religion or tradition.

Mindfulness and concentration are companions in the same one process that leads inward to the center of consciousness.

If one is only superficial, then choosing between one and the other can seem to make sense. But if you go deeper, you will find that both processes are essential.

Flaws of practicing only mindfulness:

If one practices only mindfulness, the mind is trained to always have this surface level activity present. Having this activity constantly present may be seen as normal, and the attention simply does not go beyond the mind-field. Attention can "back off" from experiencing deeper focus so as to remain in the fields of sensation and thoughts.

Flaws of practicing only concentration:

If one practices only concentration or one-pointedness, the mind is trained to not experience this activity of thoughts, sensations, emotions, and visualisations. The activity is seen as something to be avoided, and the attention may not even be open to the existence of these experiences. Attention can "back off" from the deeper aspects of the mind field, and thus prevent deeper meditation.

Integrating mindfulness and concentration

By practicing both mindfulness and concentration, one is able to experience the vast impressions, learning the vital skill of non-attachment, while also using concentration to focus the mind in such a way as to be able to transcend the whole of the mind field, where there is only stillness and silence, beyond all of the impressions. Finally, one can come to experience the center of consciousness, the Absolute reality.

When exploring the mind, mindfulness may be emphasized, while remaining focused. Then, if a particular thought pattern is to be examined so as to weaken its power over the mind, concentration is the tool with which this examination is done. This allows an increase in non-attachment. (This allows a leader to be an observer which allows him/her to take a non-biased and non-emotional decision)

When settling the mind, trying to pierce the layers of our being, including senses, body, and breath, concentration carries the attention inward through the layers.

When attention moves into that next deeper level of our being, then concentration and mindfulness once again work together to explore that layer, so as to once again move beyond, or deeper.

By working with both mindfulness and concentration, it is easy to see three skills in which the mind is trained, and how these go together:

1) Focus:    

The mind is trained to be able to pay attention, so as to not be drawn here and there, whether due to the spontaneous rising of impressions in meditation, or due to external stimuli.

2) Expansion:                         

The ability to focus is accompanied by a willingness to expand the conscious field through that which is normally unconscious, including the center of consciousness. 

3) Non-Attachment-(Detached observer)    

The ability to remain undisturbed, unaffected and uninvolved with the thoughts and impressions of the mind is the key ingredient that must go along with focus and expansion. This helps in preventing biases, emotions, feelings from entering the mind faltering the decision making process.

Using mindfulness and concentration is not really a process of gluing together two systems. The need of the hour is to integrate both.

Mindfulness and concentration have both been part of the same, one process of meditation for a very long time for Yogis since ancient times.

This skill has been found extremely beneficial for any leader which helps in clarity before making any decision.