Earning Criteria

• In order to earn the IOM Mindful Leadership Certification (IOM-ML): Participants must take a pre-and-post course assessment. Participate in a live 90-minute master class. Complete 8 weekly self-study lessons. Pass 8 weekly progress exams and complete an 8 week series of daily video practices. Pass a comprehensive final exam. Additionally, participants can participate in 8 optional coaching sessions through this program.
• Week 1: Introduction to Mindfulness 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. The essential practices of mindfulness: Present Awareness, Breath Control, Breath Meditation, Visualization and Insight Meditation - and how to apply them to optimize physical, mental and emotional states and the foundational attitudes of mindfulness.
• Week 2: Leadership Stress and Burnout. Leaders cite work as the primary source of stress in their lives and believe that having a leadership role increases that stress. 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. Lean and develop 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, pay attention to, and learn how to strengthen awareness and focus attention.
• Week 4: Leading Through Change and Uncertainty. This class explores ways 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. This class shows how mindfulness impacts the 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 intentional beliefs, values and behaviors, practices that develop 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. and practices that cultivate self-awareness, self-control, kindness and compassion.
• 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.