Mindful and Compassionate Leadership

Subject Overview

In an era of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), this subject develops
advanced capabilities in mindful and compassionate leadership. Students critically analyse and
compare eastern and western leadership frameworks, while appraising their own leadership
attributes, including bias and relational impact. Through an applied and immersive approach,
students engage with the ethical foundations of leadership, including compassion, relational
responsibility, and restorative communication. Structured reflective and contemplative practices
support the development of embodied presence, self-awareness, and ongoing leadership growth.

Students apply these insights to complex, real-world situations, exercising sound judgement and
evaluating leadership outcomes. Learning is experiential and dialogical, integrating theory,
practice, and reflection. By the end of the subject, students can clearly communicate and justify a
coherent approach to mindful and compassionate leadership in professional contexts.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically appraise personal leadership attributes, sources of bias, and their implications for mindful and compassionate leadership practice.
2. Critically analyse and compare eastern and western leadership frameworks, including their ethical, relational, and practical implications.
3. Evaluate and apply principles of compassion, relational responsibility, and restorative communication in leadership contexts.
4. Demonstrate advanced reflective and contemplative practice to cultivate presence, self-awareness, and ongoing leadership development.
5. Assess and respond effectively to complex leadership situations, including conflict and crisis, in ways that support beneficial outcomes for self, others, and the common good.
6. Communicate and justify mindful and compassionate leadership principles, practices, and decisions for professional and organisational contexts.

Assessments

• Assessment 1: Reflective journal (10%, due week 3)
• Assessment 2: Presentation and discussion paper (40%, due in workshop week)
• Assessment 3: Written report (50%, due week 10)