Mindfulness Leadership Institute

+ What is mindfulness?

Jon Kabat-Zinn, famous founder and creator of the well known Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program describes mindfulness as, "The awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally." Essentially, it's bringing ourselves back to the present moment completely, to observe what arises there physically, mentally, and emotionally, and meeting it with full acceptance and curiosity. Many of us are rushing through our days, conversations, and precious life moments with little conscious awareness of the here and now while our minds wander back into the past and forward into the future. Mindfulness brings us home, back to the only place we can really live.

+ Why does mindfulness make better leaders?

Beautiful things happen when mindfulness is part of your corporate culture.

To start, productivity and focus are greatly enhanced when mindfulness is practiced, reducing information overload, eliminating distractions, and heightening awareness to the task at hand. Working mindfully is working on what matters, with complete presence. A high degree of mindfulness can be described as what neuroscientists call "flow state" where we lose all sense of time and space and become completely absorbed in the activity. Even without this degree of mindfulness, multi-tasking (which has been shown to decrease productivity by as much as 40%) is greatly reduced in a mindful approach.

Mindfulness also increases our openness to innovation and enhances creativity. It can encourage employees to explore new ideas, and guide them to find novel solutions to problems they may have not seen before.

Mindful individuals are also more resilient in times of stress and turbulence, with a practice and foundation to return to when challenges arise. Great leaders are always the ones who are able to stay calm and aware in the midst of chaos.

Lastly, mindful leaders have the ability to regulate emotions, display empathy, and communicate more effectively in both their professional and personal relationships. In turn, this creates a more positive work environment and greatly strengthens the bonds that build a true corporate culture of collaboration.

+ What makes The SBD Mindfulness Leadership Institute different from other mindfulness programs?

Our approach is unique for three reasons;

1. Unlike most mindfulness programs, our program takes a unique approach by combining the neuroscience and an understanding of the brain/nervous system with the psychology of mindfulness. Most programs focus solely on the cognitive component, leaving out the essential component of the physiology we are working with. When body and mind are working together in tandem, and understood deeply, real transformation is created.
2. We believe in the power and energy of live guided trainings with a group and an instructor over the self-guided recorded content approach that many companies are shortcutting as a way to provide mindfulness training to their employees. Lots of companies provide access to apps like Headspace, Calm, and other mediation libraries or courses, but employees aren't applying the practice because they don't have a full understanding of the benefits available and are left without a guide to support them in building the essential habits needed.
3. Our program focuses on experience (application and continual mindfulness practice) over knowledge. Each individual is left with an understanding of their mind, their emotions, and the key components to mindful leadership but more importantly, they'll create the habits that lead to lasting effects for both themselves and your organization.

+ How long does it take to see changes?

Mindfulness is a continual practice. This program will provide individuals with the knowledge, tools, and practices for integrating mindfulness into their lifestyle but it’s up to each individual to apply it. Like going to the gym, your results are based on your efforts. The beauty of mindfulness though, is once it's established, it's always available to us and the more we practice it, the easier it becomes. New neural pathways and positive changes in the brain are created each time we return to the present moment.

+ What level of employees is the training designed for?

All levels of employees can benefit from the leadership training as essentially, we are all asked to lead in areas of our lives and mindfulness largely benefits all facets of living and leading. Employees who have most benefited from the program include exectuives, new & existing managers, and high-potential employees. We also offer premium Leadership Coaching for employees who'd like extra support in pursuing their highest potential and career paths.

+ How are results measured?

Each individual receives a 32 question survey pre-training to set a benchmark and post-training to measure the program's results on their mindset, prescence, productivity, emotional mastery, lifestyle, relationships, and overall sense of well-being. Results are reported to the employer within 2 weeks of each 6-week training cohort. Employers will also receive a cast study form to provide feedback and note any changes among their employees. This case study is then turned into a beautifully designed PDF by our team that can be shared to your board members, on your website, social media, and any other marketing comm