Ashish KothariMake flourishing your competitive edge

Breaking the Dopamine Loop: Presence as a Leadership Requirement

19 May 2026 · 0 min

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Ashish Kothari argues that smartphone addiction hijacks our dopamine system and destroys presence, which leaders need to be self-aware. Without mindfulness, leaders react impulsively instead of responding thoughtfully, unable to separate facts from their own narratives.

We've all become dopamine addicts because of the smartphones and constant notifications and bells and triggers, et cetera, et cetera. So there is this continuous, we've lost our ability to be present. And what you're inviting us to say is, and if you're not present, then how can you lead?
If you're not present, you are not aware. And self-awareness is a form of mindfulness to be self-aware of what is going on. So that whenever you have a thought, you can ask yourself, is this a thought coming from facts or coming from your own internal story? But if you don't practice mindfulness, you are reacting instead of responding to the team.