Mindful Leadership

The skills to manage mental and emotional challenges - stress, distraction, volatile change, and complexity - are increasingly critical leadership capabilities. But until now, there’s been no systematic or science-proven way to change the way we unconsciously navigate our thoughts, are impacted by our emotions, or how we react to inbound stimuli.

Our brains are wired to make decisions for us, often in milliseconds. Decisions that are often compulsive, overly emotional, or based on old, inaccurate mental data - and so create unnecessary complexity and trigger unforeseen consequences. Mindfulness dampens this reactivity and gives leaders the space and perspective to respond more strategically.

Course Overview

Mindful Leadership is designed to be comprehensive, yet flexible and time-efficient. It kicks off with a live introduction to the science, hands-on practice, and outcomes of mindfulness - and continues with a series of weekly lessons, 10 minute daily practices, and unlimited coaching - supported by pre-and-post course assessments, progress checks, and a final exam.

Each week’s lesson and daily practices work together to strengthen an important skill or solve a specific leadership challenge.

Course Components

• A live 90-minute master class
• Pre-and-post course assessments
• 8 weekly self-study lessons
• 8 weekly progress exams
• 8 weeks of daily video practices
• 8 optional coaching sessions
• A comprehensive final exam
• Membership access to IOSM research, information, and tools
• Unlimited 24/7 phone, text, chat, and email support

Graduates Earn:

• IOM-ML Certificate
• IOM-ML Digital Badge
• Free annual recertification
• SHRM and HRCI recertification credits

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a process of neural training that helps us intentionally change our mindsets and behaviors. This class is a comprehensive introduction to the nature, hands-on practice, outcomes, and application of science-based mindfulness.

You will learn:

• The neuroscience, biology, and psychology of mindfulness, including research outcomes in health and wellbeing, cognitive performance, and emotional intelligence.
• The essential practices of mindfulness: Present Awareness, Breath Control, Breath Meditation, Visualization, and Insight Meditation - and how to apply them to optimize your physical, mental, and emotional states
• The foundational attitudes of mindfulness: Non-judgment, Patience, Beginner’s Mind, Trust, Non-Striving, Acceptance, and Letting Go - and how to apply them to intentionally solve real problems in the real world

Week 2: Leadership Stress and Burnout

According to Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) research, 88% percent of leaders cite work as the primary source of stress in their lives and believe that having a leadership role increases that stress - 60% cite the organization for failing to provide the tools they need to manage it.

You will learn:

• To recognize and reduce the stressors and triggers most common to managers and leaders.
• To reframe and reduce self-criticism, negative rumination, anxiety, and worry.
• Mindfulness practices that reduce chronic stress and increase mental and emotional strength.

Week 3: Leadership Focus and Attention Control

Focus, attention control, and sustained concentration are critical leadership skills. This class explores the challenges of distraction and attention deficit - and neural strategies for dampening inbound signals while strengthening attention control.

You will learn:

• To reinforce brain circuits for directing and sustaining attention.
• To intentionally control what to diffuse, what to pay attention to, and how.
• Mindfulness practices that strengthen open awareness and focused attention.

Week 4: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty

Markets and operating environments are ever-changing and becoming ever-more complex. This class explores ways that mindfulness can help us navigate through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity - and lead others effectively through change.

You will learn:

• How the brain struggles to adapt in an unpredictable and increasingly complex environment.
• To de-center and regard changing circumstances with objectivity and equanimity.
• Mindfulness practices that help us accept, adapt and embrace change with an open and curious mind.

Week 5: Leading With Trust and Influence

Effective leaders inspire, motivate and mobilize others, through authenticity, trustworthiness, and earned influence. This class shows how mindfulness impacts the complex mix of mental, emotional, and interpersonal skills that comprise these capabilities.

You will learn:

• The fundamentals of self-knowledge, authenticity, and personal presence.
• To identify and act on your most intentional beliefs, values and behaviors.
• Mindfulness practices that develop the behavioral traits that inspire trust, confidence, and loyalty.

Week 6: Leading With Social and Emotional Intelligence

Social and emotional intelligence are central to effective leadership. This class shows how mindfulness strengthens the foundational traits of self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and compassion, effective communication, and social grace.

You will learn:

• The most current framework and competencies that comprise social and emotional intelligence.
• Mindfulness practices that cultivate self-awareness and self-control.
• Mindfulness practices that cultivate care, kindness, and compassionate behaviors.

Week 7 - Leadership Communication

Effective leaders are able to listen closely and respond with clarity while under great pressure. This class shows how mindfulness can be applied to train attention, and create the mental space to choose our most strategic response

You will learn:

• To direct undivided attention.
• To create connection, attunement, and rapport.
• Mindfulness practices that strengthen effective communication skills

Week 8 - Leadership Grit and Resilience

Leaders must be able to sustain energy under pressure, cope with disruptive changes, and adapt quickly. This class shows how mindfulness neural training creates the mental toughness, grit, and resilience that drive peak performance.

You will learn:

• To train the brain to face fear, take action, and persevere.
• To train mental strength and emotional stability.
• Mindfulness practices that help us to withstand, adapt and recover from challenging circumstances.