Search Inside Yourself (SIY):
Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

A Program developed by Google and
the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society

General: Search Inside Yourself (SIY) is designed to engage and teach the five core Emotional Intelligence practices (Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social Skills), integrated with mindfulness practice and the neuroscience of mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence.

Goals: To develop more skillful, resonant, compassionate, engaged, and happier leaders. By developing leaders within the organization the culture can be energized and transformed.

Structure: SIY is taught over seven sessions, one session each week for seven weeks: 1) a two hour introductory session to mindfulness and emotional intelligence; 2) a full-day retreat; and 3) five two-hours sessions, covering the five emotional intelligence competencies. This is a highly interactive program that involves a daily commitment of mindfulness and meditation practice. All sessions are approximately one-third content and two-thirds practices. Content covers emotional intelligence, brain and clinical science of emotion related process. Practice include a variety of exercises and techniques including mindfulness of breath, body, thoughts, listening, as well as journaling, one-to-one and group conversations. Time is allotted for questions and answers during all sessions.

1)Two hour introduction

2)Retreat. This full day will include:
Content:

• Introduction to Emotional Intelligence and its importance to exceptional leadership
• Introduction to Mindfulness and its importance to training in Emotional Intelligence
• The neuroscience of mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence
• Intuition and decision making
• The theory of meditation

Practices:

• Meditation and mindfulness training – learning to train attention
• Standing and sitting meditation
• Listening and feedback
• Circuit training
• Journaling – free writing

3)Session 1: Self awareness and self regulation
Content:

• Self-awareness at work
• Nine key emotional intelligence competencies
• Neuroscience of self-awareness and self regulation
• Self-regulation; beyond self-control
• Understanding triggers
• Self-regulation model

Practices:

• Meditation with body scan
• Journaling
• Mindful conversations
• Working with triggers: stop, breathe, notice, reflect, respond
• Self-regulation practices
• Journaling

Session 2: Motivation and Empathy
Content:

• Alignment
• Envisioning
• Resilience
• Neuroscience of motivation
• Ladder of inference
• The role of empathy in leadership
• Understanding others
• Neuroscience of empathy
• Developing trust
• Giving feedback and encouraging others
• Political awareness

Practices:

• Understanding your values
• Envisioning your future
• Resilience meditation
• Empathy meditation – just like me
• Loving kindness meditation
• Listening for feelings
• Co-coaching for political awareness

Session 3: Social Skills
Content:

• Leadership
• Influence
• Communication
• Neuroscience of compassion
• Teambuilding model and establishing trust
• Neuroscience of threat and reward
• SCARF model
• Difficult conversations

Practices:

• Meditation – multiplying goodness
• Who am I as a leader?
• Difficult conversations practice
• Journaling
• Vision statements and closing circle