Seven practices of a mindful leader Lessons from Google and a Zen monastery kitchen

This collage of Zen Buddhism and precepts from the likes of Daniel Goleman and Peter Senge is a pragmatic and often-logical approach to leadership. Lesser (Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, 2013), who's had a multiplicity of intriguing careers, from Zen monastery cook to Google consultant, crystallizes his experiences in seven principles. Taken singly, no one principle will be mind-shattering; love your work, for example, is a long-held belief of many a therapist, career coach, and HR professional. But when considered together, the seven act as a road map for life, not just leadership. With exercises embedded in every chapter, the book encourages readers in keeping journals, noticing the breadth and depth of their mind wanderings, enumerating dependents, organizing meetings, even in figuring out their work style always with a brief yet poignant reminder to keep making it simple. Lessons from his own life and learnings from others help establish world visions and set this as a dialogue, not a monologue. Includes notes and recommended reading.--Barbara Jacobs Copyright 2019 Booklist

We are all meant to lead, maintains Lesser (cofounder and former CEO, Search Inside Yourself Leadership Inst.; Know Yourself, Forget Yourself), who believes every individual can be transformed while cultivating positive surroundings through mindfulness. Lesser, a Zen teacher who has facilitated mindfulness and emotional intelligence trainings at companies such as Google and Kaiser, unpacks seven practices to develop community and compassion within any group dynamic. The author provides a strong foundation of mindful methods by sharing simple anecdotes, meditation exercises, and journaling prompts, in which readers explore how to think, listen, and reserve space for learning from oneself and others. Lesser widens the lens on practices encouraging generous, self-aware leadership as a vehicle for creating an environment of depth, clarity, and endless possibilities. VERDICT A solid primer for anyone, from educator to entrepreneur, who seeks to cultivate success through basic steps of mindfulness.-Angela Forret, Clive, IA © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.