Robert Paris, President of Myelin Leadership International and pioneer in the emerging field of neuroleadership, has created a powerful self-healing process called RENEW. Robert has applied the RENEW process to a plethora of individuals and teams – with great success. The RENEW process is described below:

Reap the benefits of learning about your brain

Empower yourself by getting in touch with your story

Note links between your hidden story and undesirable behaviors

Empower others by telling your story

Win by living your authentic story

The RENEW process is based on neuroscience and the following brain-based facts:

  • The major purpose of the brain is to help you survive. In difficult situations, the brain develops coping mechanisms (becoming aggressive, pleasing others, avoiding unpleasant situations, becoming a martyr, drinking and taking drugs, etc.) to help you survive the moment. Unfortunately, these coping mechanisms become buried in your emotional brain without you being aware of them. This results in self-defeating behaviors longer term.
  • We are most vulnerable in our childhood years (under the age of seven). At this age, you are totally dependent on your parents for survival. Most parents, with good intentions, can act in ways towards their children that leave them feeling unvalued, unwanted and/or worthless. These hidden stories and related messages (‘I’m a loser’, ‘I’m not good enough’, ’I’m ugly’, ‘I’m ashamed of myself’, etc.) become subconsciously embedded in the child’s brain and carry over into adulthood.
  • We are also vulnerable in our adolescent years (ex. social and academic pressures in high school) and adulthood (divorces, job losses, deaths of loved ones, financial pressures, etc.).
  • You are not in control of your brain unless you make a conscious effort to do so.

Using these scientific facts, Robert created the RENEW process to help you heal yourself by helping you take control of your brain and become an authentic, fulfilled person. The RENEW process is described in more detail below:

  • Learn everything you can about the brain through books, podcasts, videos, TED talks, blogs, etc. A suggested list of books is included at the end of this workbook.
  • Show courage by digging deep and unearthing your brain’s hidden messages and coping mechanisms that are derailing you in your adult life. Getting in touch with our emotionally-laden hidden stories goes against our evolutionary biology because our brain is wired to avoid pain. Nevertheless, it is essential that you do so.
  • Note the links between the subconscious messages and coping mechanisms buried in your brain and self-defeating, unproductive behaviors in adulthood. This is the step that sees light bulbs going off in peoples’ brains as they better understand the reasons behind their undesirable behaviors. Experiencing these AHA! moments is liberating and potentially life-changing.
  • Re-wire your brain by writing a positive and self-affirming script that you will repeat twice a day, every day for 60 straight days. (Note: If you miss one day, you must start over again as this disrupts the brain’s re-wiring process). The next step is to muster enough courage to tell your story to as many people as possible. This is both liberating for you and inspiring to others. Once again, telling your hidden story publicly goes against our survival instincts as the brain is wired to avoid the potential pain associated with being vulnerable. However, showing vulnerability is a sign of strength, not weakness. It is the ultimate form of courageous leadership.

  • Take off your armor, live your values and always be your authentic self. Resist the inevitable naysayers and skeptics whose brains are wired to be negative. Show them the way. This is the key to winning in life. Be the true leader you were meant to be.

The first step in healing yourself and living a more fulfilled and meaningful life and developing yourself as a leader is to increase your self-awareness. Being cognizant of your brain’s subconscious hidden messages that result in self-defeating behaviors in adulthood is essential and liberating. For more information on Robert’s RENEW process, visit Robert’s website:

www.myelinleadership.com/renew-process