Compassionate Leadership Workshop
“Compassionate people are geniuses in the art of living, more necessary to the dignity, security, and joy of humanity than the discoverers of knowledge.”
- Albert Einstein
- Albert Einstein
The Business Case For Compassion
We live in a world that appears more wounded, worried, and divided than ever before. Leaders who are genuinely compassionate—that is, able to observe, feel, and respond with kindness to suffering—are sorely needed.
Compassion isn't merely a feel-good balm. It's also good for business.
Research shows that compassion boosts achievement and resilience in both individuals and groups. High-achieving, resilient people tend to be productive people, and that bodes well for the bottom line. Within organizations, higher levels of compassion translate to more loyalty, cooperation, and job satisfaction. More compassion also means less employee turnover, which reduces costs for the organization.
Thankfully, compassion isn't a fixed personality trait, it's a trainable skill. Due to the human brain's amazing neuroplastic properties, the capacity for compassion and self-compassion can be expanded in measurable ways with knowledge, practice, and commitment.
This two-hour workshop is designed for leaders who want to invest in that expansion--both within themselves and within their organizations.
Compassion isn't merely a feel-good balm. It's also good for business.
Research shows that compassion boosts achievement and resilience in both individuals and groups. High-achieving, resilient people tend to be productive people, and that bodes well for the bottom line. Within organizations, higher levels of compassion translate to more loyalty, cooperation, and job satisfaction. More compassion also means less employee turnover, which reduces costs for the organization.
Thankfully, compassion isn't a fixed personality trait, it's a trainable skill. Due to the human brain's amazing neuroplastic properties, the capacity for compassion and self-compassion can be expanded in measurable ways with knowledge, practice, and commitment.
This two-hour workshop is designed for leaders who want to invest in that expansion--both within themselves and within their organizations.
About the Workshop
You and your colleagues will:
- Learn how compassion can transform your organization. What happens when leaders begin to notice, feel, and actively respond to suffering in the work environment? There’s fascinating research on exactly this question, and we’ll get into it! We’ll also examine factors that work against compassion in organizational environments. You’ll walk away having pinpointed specific ways in which your organization can benefit from a focus on compassion.
- Learn how self-compassion makes you more resilient. Many leaders are highly self-critical, especially when they’re stressed or in pain. But in those moments, responding to yourself with kindness will make you a stronger and better leader. We’ll get into all the science-backed reasons why this is true, and you’ll walk away with tools for becoming a more self-compassionate leader.
- Learn how to build a culture of compassion. Imagine a work environment where people who are in pain know that, at least here, they are seen, they are safe, and they will be cared and advocated for. That kind of environment starts with leaders. You’ll walk away with specific strategies for prioritizing and practicing compassion, and for creating a broader culture of compassion in your organization.
What You Get
Here's what's included in this transformative workshop:
1. Pre-work exercises that will prepare you to get the most out of the live training and accompanying e-book. You will:
2. An engaging two-hour online group learning experience, which includes:
3. A 69-page interactive e-book titled Compassionate Leadership: Creating WholeHearted Organizations, by Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth. The book includes:
4. A Post-work path for those wishing to further invest in growing compassion in their organization.
1. Pre-work exercises that will prepare you to get the most out of the live training and accompanying e-book. You will:
- Reflect on ways you and your organization might benefit from an increased focus on compassion.
- Complete an objective assessment tool designed to measure your current level of self-compassion.
2. An engaging two-hour online group learning experience, which includes:
- Compelling research on the benefits of compassion in organizations.
- Inspiring and true stories of leaders and organizations for whom compassion has made a difference.
- Careful considerations of how cultural factors can hinder (or help) the growth of compassion in organizational life.
- Practical ideas for cultivating within yourself a more compassionate and self-compassionate leadership style.
- Actionable suggestions for building more compassion into your organization's broader identity and day-to-day workings.
- Engaging discussions and exercises that encourage insight and collaboration.
3. A 69-page interactive e-book titled Compassionate Leadership: Creating WholeHearted Organizations, by Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth. The book includes:
- In-depth outlines of material covered in the live online workshop.
- Original articles by Dr. Hollingsworth on topics like:
- "What Hinders Compassion?"
- "More Status, Less Compassion?"
- "The Neuroscience of Self-Criticism"
- "Self-Compassion Strategies for Everyday Life"
- "What Not to Say to Someone in Pain"
- "Compassionate Leadership Amidst Trauma"
- "On Boundaries"
- "Compassion Amidst Conflict"
- Discussion questions (designed for individual reflection and/or group dialogue) to deepen comprehension and application.
- Meditative exercises for growing in compassion and self-compassion.
- Links to online resources on compassion and self-compassion in organizational life.
- A comprehensive bibliography.
4. A Post-work path for those wishing to further invest in growing compassion in their organization.
- A step-by-step guide to crafting a Compassion Charter--that is, a custom-made plan of action for instilling compassion into the culture and everyday life of your organization.
- Parts of the Compassion Charter include:
- Why Compassion?
- Building a Culture of Self-Compassion
- Building a Culture of Collective Noticing
- Building a Culture of Collective Feeling
- Building a Culture of Collective Responding
- Committing to Compassionate Conflict
- Your Plan of Action
- Assessment and Accountability
- A suggested schedule and clear strategy for implementing change and assessing progress.
- A special focus on committing to compassionate conflict in your organization.
My Approach
Most of us have sat through enough yawn-worthy online trainings to be justifiably worried about workshop boredom. I've been teaching for several decades, and I know what it takes to keep the hum-drums at bay.
In the live workshop, I use a variety of methods to keep participants constantly engaged and benefiting. I tell first-hand stories that teach and inspire. I use slides with beautiful, simple images and minimal text. I relay powerful insights from current science. I repackage complicated information using plain speech. I ask questions that invite introspection and get people talking and problem-solving. Most importantly, I make sure each and every participant leaves motivated and equipped to grow compassion in their heart, work, and life.
In the live workshop, I use a variety of methods to keep participants constantly engaged and benefiting. I tell first-hand stories that teach and inspire. I use slides with beautiful, simple images and minimal text. I relay powerful insights from current science. I repackage complicated information using plain speech. I ask questions that invite introspection and get people talking and problem-solving. Most importantly, I make sure each and every participant leaves motivated and equipped to grow compassion in their heart, work, and life.