This program is recognized by both SHRM and HRCI for recertification credit. More Info at the bottom of the page.

The Mindful Leadership course includes:

• This 90-minute Master Class

• 8 weeks of comprehensive self-study

• 8 weeks of daily guided practice

• 8 weeks of unlimited coaching

• Membership access to research, tools and information

• 24/7 phone, text and email student support

Questions? Click here to Live Chat with the IOM Team

Why Mindful Leadership?

Science-based mindfulness is a process of neural training that produces remarkably positive outcomes in wellbeing, cognitive performance, and emotional intelligence. Over the past decade, it’s been incorporated into the daily training regimen of the world’s most elite organizations, including the U.S. Olympics Team, the U.S. Navy Seal Teams and Special Forces, Formula One Racing, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and dozens of professional sports teams.

The world’s most accomplished athletes, entrepreneurs and business leaders - including the CEOs at 7 of the 10 most valuable companies in the world - now practice mindfulness meditation. Why? Because it is a powerful force-multiplier for the mental clarity, self-and-situational awareness, attention and emotional control that drive elite performance - and effective leadership.

Course Overview:

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to science-based mindfulness, and its step-by-step application for leadership effectiveness:

Week 1 - Introduction to Science-based Mindfulness

Three decades of research have confirmed that the mind can physically change the brain and body - and mindfulness proves it. This class provides an overview of the nature, science, hands-on practice, and application of modern mindfulness.

You will learn: 

• The psychology and neuroscience of mindfulness

• How mindfulness strengthens core leadership capabilities

• The foundational formal and informal mindfulness practices

Week 2 - Reducing Leadership Stress and Burnout

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have named chronic stress the most dangerous global epidemic of the new century, and confirm that managers and executives are significantly more impacted than the workforce at large. This class is an exploration of strategies and practices that relieve leadership pressures, anxieties and stress-related burnout.

You will learn: 

• The evolutionary wiring and triggers that creates chronic stress, mental exhaustion and burnout

• How to apply mindfulness to reframe worry, rumination, self-critical and depressive thinking 

• Mindfulness practices that reduce chronic stress, and increase mental and emotional resilience

Week 3 - Leadership Focus and Attention Control

Information overload, workplace distraction and the addictive properties of our digital communications and social media are steadily eroding our attention spans and capabilities to do deep work. We’re all affected to some degree, and leaders are struggling to overcome the challenge themselves, even as they try to help their teams stay on task. This class explores practices that physically strengthen brain networks associated with focus, concentration and attention control.

You will learn: 

• The sources and science of information overload, digital distraction and workplace ADD.

• How to apply mindfulness to suppress distraction, and increase attention control 

• Mindfulness practices that strengthen our abilities to direct and sustain concentration

Week 4 - Leading through Change and Uncertainty

Our brains are wired to fear change and loathe uncertainty. How can we overcome our own evolutionary resistance, while helping our people successfully navigate their way through cultural and organizational change? This class explores mindfulness strategies for calm leadership amid change and uncertainty.

You will learn:

• How change and uncertainty triggers fear that hijacks our emotional state

• How mindfulness helps us consciously navigate from the known to an uncertain future state

• Mindfulness practices that develop the mental skill to embrace change

Week 5 - Leading with Trust and Influence

Effective leaders create trust and confidence through observable acts of integrity, fairness, good judgment and unselfish behaviors - all functions of character and consistency that flow from positive values and beliefs. This class explores practices that strengthen the mindset and behavioral traits that encourage trust.  

You will learn:

• The fundamentals of self awareness, authenticity and leadership presence

• How to apply mindfulness to strengthen personal ethics, integrity and trustworthiness  

• Mindfulness practices to develop the traits that inspire trust, confidence and loyalty

Week 6 - Leading with Social and Emotional Intelligence

Science has proven that self-awareness, empathy, compassion and social grace aren't immutable traits, they are trainable skills that can be intentionally developed through neural exercise. This class examines the visceral power of social and emotional intelligence, and how to strengthen these foundational inter-personal capabilities.

You will learn:

• The framework and competencies that comprise social and emotional intelligence

• How to use mindfulness to strengthen self-and-social-awareness, empathy and communication

• Mindfulness practices for care, kindness and compassionate behaviors

Week 7 - Leadership Communication Skills

Mindfulness enables us to listen deeply and consciously - to pay close attention to aural tone, non-verbal cues and body language - to connect with our intuition - and to create rapport. This class introduces strategies and practices for strengthening awareness, attention control, and effective interpersonal communication skills.

You will learn:

• How to connect closely and cooperatively with others

• How to conduct an articulate and productive dialogue 

• Mindfulness practices that increase intuition, attunement and rapport

Week 8 - Mental Toughness, Grit and Resilience

Leadership is a high-pressure pursuit, and can be frustrating, discouraging and exhausting. But mindfulness dampens the negativity that saps our energy, reduces our stress, anxiety and worry - and gives us the mental strength to cope with difficult situations, and bounce back from adversity. This class explores practices that build our emotional stability and resilience.

You will learn:

• The principles of elite performance  

• How mindfulness connects us to the state of flow

• Mindfulness practices for mental toughness, grit and resilience

About SHRM and HRCI Recertification:

SHRM:

The Institute for Organizational Mindfulness is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

This program is valid for 7.5 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.

HRCI:

The use of the above seal confirms that this Activity for The Institute for Organizational Mindfulness has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval for 7.5 credits