Search Inside & Be True to Yourself — Lunch with Marc Lesser, Co-founder of Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute

Sometimes the most meaningful and inspiring conversations happen over casual meals. The Time Auction Blog is a snippet of our meetings with people who have found passion in their life and career, where we get a glimpse into their mentality behind their ventures.

Marc is the Co-founder of Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, where he teaches mindfulness and emotional intelligence to drive effective performance. On top of creating retreats for CEOs and business leaders, Mark is also a Director and Teacher at Tassajara Zen Mountain Centre and CEO and Executive Coach at ZBA Associates.

Over lunch, we talked to Marc about using mindfulness to transform work, relationships and everyday life.

What is your life motto or philosophy?

I once started a greeting card company called Brush Dance, and on the back of every one of our cards, it said:

Brush Dance is a Yurok Indian healing ritual, and Yurok Indians have only one law, which is to be true to yourself.

I attempt to live that way, which is much harder than it sounds.

What is one habit that has significantly improved your life?

Saying “Wow” every time I see myself doing things that I teach others not to do. It’s like “Wow, I can’t believe you’re doing that!”

What is one act or action that everyone can take away from meeting you?

I hope that everyone can turn over their lives differently, can be more aware of others.

If you had to give a lesson on something unrelated to your career, what would it be?

Play more golf. Do sports. I was captain of my high school wrestling team and I learned great lessons there. I noticed that

The best wrestlers aren’t trapped by a desire to win or a fear of failure.

I wanted to be like that. I think sports is a great place to let go of winning and losing, right and wrong. These days I play tennis, golf, bowling, billiards. I still wrestle with my children.

What is one person you respect or admire, who you think should be on Time Auction?

Many possible people, but I will recommend a woman named Julie Hanna. She is the Chairman of the board of a company called Kiva. They are one of the leading companies making microloans for developing countries all over the world and she is a really amazing lady whom I happen to be friends with.

Thank you Marc for donating lunch, and thanks to everyone who volunteered and took part in raising 71 volunteer hours.

For more amazing opportunities, visit Time Auction to volunteer and meet inspiring mentors!