Abstract
Mindfulness has received increasing attention in leadership research. Yet, its potential to influence the leadership development process remains insufficiently explored. The aim of the study is to evaluate the mediating effect of mindfulness on the relationship between authentic leadership and self-leadership. Given the role of gender in shaping leadership behaviors and experiences, the study also explores the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between authentic leadership and self-leadership. To test the research hypotheses, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in a sample of 208 participants from a developing country, Peru. The key findings are summarized as follows. Authentic leadership has a positive and significant effect on self-leadership and mindfulness, while mindfulness also has a positive and significant effect on self-leadership. Furthermore, mindfulness partially mediates the relationship between authentic leadership and self-leadership. Finally, the moderation role of gender is confirmed, revealing that the relationship between authentic leadership and self-leadership is stronger for women than men. The study not only expands existing knowledge but also offers actionable strategies to foster self-leadership through mindfulness, considering how gender influences the effectiveness of these strategies in organizational settings. Future studies could expand the research to include other factors that influence job performance, economic sectors, and other demographic and cultural variables.
