Mindful and Compassionate Leadership

Subject Overview

Mindfulness and compassion have never been more important for leadership in these VUCA times (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous). Mindful and compassionate leadership creates a ‘ripple effect,’ which begins with self and flows outward to people, organisations and society. An important aim is to impart a sense of safety and trust in an organisation’s leaders and in the organisation. In this subject, students will have an applied and immersive experience of mindful and compassionate leadership in action through a synergy of western and eastern approaches to leadership studies and the wisdom traditions to offer unique perspectices and practices in leadership. Students will also come to understand the meaning of restorative practices, and the ethics of relational responsibility. Exploring personal beliefs, values and strengths will lead to a comprehensive understanding of “self” as a leader. The program will embrace robust and searching discussion, practice, role-playing and reflection – supporting the development of an individual leadership vision that is applied to real-life examples through assessment. Students will discover, practice and embody an approach to leadership that is underpinned by emotional intelligence, mindful presence, restorative conversations, and employing the logic of compassion and thereby exemplifying the ripple effect of leadership for VUCA times. Students will also be equipped to understand the impact and outcomes of being a mindful and compassionate leader.

Learning Outcomes

1. Comprehensively appraise personal leadership attributes and the qualities of leaders.
2. Explain the effect of personal bias on leadership.
3. Comparatively analyse western and eastern leadership styles.
4. Understand the logic of compassion and the ethics of relational responsibility.
5. Understand the value of restorative communication in leadership.
6. Maintain awareness of presence and impact as a leader.
7. Employ skilful action, reflection and mindful contemplation to continuously develop as a leader.
8. Determine the outcomes of mindful and compassionate leadership.
9. Assess situations accurately, including crises, and make appropriate decisions to foster beneficial outcomes for themselves, others and the common good.

Assessments

• Assessment 1: Reflective journal (10%, due week 3)
• Assessment 2: In-class presentation and discussion paper (40%, due week 4)
• Assessment 3: Report (50%, due week 10)