This program was developed in partnership with the University of Guelph.
As a leader, you continuously influence the work environment and create culture through your actions and reactions. But do you do this consciously and self-reflexively? Or do you find yourself acting on auto-pilot? Imagine the creative possibilities if you could mindfully and deliberately create conditions for people in your workplace to thrive even in challenging times. Compassionate leadership makes people the goal. By employing a practice of compassionate leadership, you gain the ability to navigate challenging situations marked by distress and suffering with a focus on connecting and supporting. This practice allows you to build trust and enable creativity, agility, and productivity in your workplace. In this session, you will explore the foundations and four aspects of compassion, drawing from current research in the fields of neuroscience and positive psychology, and learn skills and strategies to enable you to implement a practice of compassionate leadership. Increase your day-to-day impact at work and be active in intentionally shaping the success of your workplace as a compassionate leader.
Upon successful completion of both components of the training (virtual training sessions and independent online assessment), you will earn a digital badge in Compassionate Leadership.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the training, you should be able to:
1. Identify and draw from your own feelings of connection and caring when interacting with others in a variety of situations;
2. Enact self-care and recognize how your self-care is directly related to your ability to care for others;
3. Recognize how your behaviour can activate particular neurologically-based responses in others, and vice-versa;
4. Identify the characteristics of compassionate leadership and the process that can be implemented to build a compassionate leadership practice;
5. Attune to yourself, your environment, and people around you;
6. Become aware of your own emotional triggers and patterns of judgment and how they impact your interactions with others;
7. Apply a strategy of generosity to your interpretations of your environment and the behaviours of others around you;
8. Identify and label the emotions you observe in yourself and others within your environment; and
9. Identity and take actions to alleviate the social suffering of others around you without taking that suffering onto yourself.
Intended Audience
Designed for those working in Human Resources Management, Professional and Organizational Development Professionals, Organizational Leaders.
Program Agenda
Day 1: Compassion and Compassionate Leadership
• Defining Compassion
• Exploring Self-Compassion
• The Science of Compassion
• Making the Case for Compassionate Leadership
Day 2: The Four Components of Compassion
• Noticing
• Interpreting Generously
• Feeling Empathy and Concern
• Acting to Alleviate Suffering
Delivery Format
Part 1: Training Session(s)
The training session will be delivered in over two days. Participants will spend 3.5 hours each day (with 15-minute break) participating in the virtual sessions. Sessions will engage in lecture and interactive small and large group activities and discussion that will promote practice and reflection.
The virtual training session will be held as follows:
Day 1: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – 9:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Day 2: Thursday, August 19, 2021 – 9:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
Part 2:Skills-Based Assessment
The Skills-Based Assessment is completed online via the University of Guelph’s CourseLink Learning Management System. Evidence of skill attainment will be demonstrated through a portfolio or scenario-based evaluation and include a reflective video or written component. The assessment will require approximately 8-12 hours of effort to complete.
Information on how to enroll to take the Skills-Based Assessment will be provided to you at the completion of the training component. Due: Monday, October 18, 2021, by 11:59 pm ET
Skills Recognition:Once you receive a passing grade, you will be issued a digital badge verified and recognized by the University of Guelph. The badge will confirm the specific skill/competency achieved, assessment completed, and issuing institution. You can download your digital badge and share your achievement on your social media networks and with your employer.
Materials All learning materials will be provided in the training session and within the online environment for the skills-based assessment.
Technical Requirements
Zoom Requirements
This training uses Zoom for the virtual training sessions. To participate, you will need:
1. An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
2. Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
3. A webcam or HD webcam -built-in or USB plug-in
CourseLink System Requirements The Skills-Based Assessment will be assessed through the University of Guelph’s Learning Management System, CourseLink. Please ensure that your computer system meets the necessary system requirements.