Book Summary:
Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader by Marc Lesser is a practical guide that blends mindfulness, leadership, and emotional intelligence to help individuals lead with greater clarity, compassion, and effectiveness. Drawing from his experiences as a Zen teacher, CEO, and leadership coach, Lesser outlines seven core practices: love the work, do the work, don’t be an expert, connect to your pain, connect to the pain of others, depend on others, and keep making it simpler. These practices emphasize presence, self-awareness, and human connection as essential tools for authentic and impactful leadership. Lesser uses personal stories, real-world business experiences, and mindfulness exercises to show how these principles can be applied in both personal growth and organizational settings. The book encourages readers to turn inward, face discomfort, embrace vulnerability, and lead with both courage and heart.
About the Author:
Marc Lesser is a mindfulness teacher, executive coach, and former CEO with a deep background in both business and Zen Buddhism. He was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for over ten years and later helped develop Google’s mindfulness-based emotional intelligence program, "Search Inside Yourself." As the founder and CEO of several companies, including ZBA Associates and the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI), Lesser has worked with leaders across industries to cultivate mindfulness, improve communication, and drive conscious leadership. His approach combines ancient wisdom with modern leadership strategies, helping people navigate the complexities of work and life with clarity and compassion.
