Mindfulness at Work for Leaders and Managers

Course has already taken place

Max Places:
24

Description
The aim of this course is to introduce mindfulness and the mindfulness-
based approach to mental balance, personal effectiveness and responding
to stressful situations.

Mindfulness is paying attention on purpose in the present
moment. It is an inherent human capacity that can be developed through
meditation based practices. Training develops the capacity to be open
and aware of a wider range of experience and to relate differently and
more effectively to both pleasant and unpleasant features of day to day
life. It involves paying conscious attention to thoughts, feelings and
body sensations in a way that increases awareness, acceptance and self-
compassion. This can help to manage difficult experiences, and create
space to make wise choices and decisions. The development
of attentional stability contribute to workplace outcomes; effectiveness
in task control and decision making, communication skills, conflict
management and collaboration; capabilities which are specified in the
University Leadership Excellence Behaviour framework.

There is growing evidence that the mindfulness skills can complement
those required for the leaders. ‘Mindfulness training and practice leads
to improvements in collaboration, resilience and leading in complexity’.
Reitz et al, 2016.

MINDFULNESS AT WORK FOR LEADERS AND MANAGERS

The skills of Marcus Hill, Leadership Development Advisor (OD&PL) and
Sally Rose Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Teacher (SCPSS) are brought
together to offer this 2 part training in mindful leadership. These
sessions will be delivered face to face on campus.

Workshop 1

Main theme: How our minds are and how mindfulness can help

Content:

HOW THINGS ARE – How are minds react to stimuli in the information
intense environments faced by leaders and managers

PRACTICE AND APPLICATION – What mindfulness is, experiencing it for
yourself, relevant underpinning research, and where mindfulness can be
most helpful to leaders and managers

Workshop 2

Main theme: Challenges and how to use Mindfulness

Content:
MAKING GOOD CHOICES - How healthy and productive thinking is the result
of awareness and mindful techniques

APPLICATION AND WAY FORWARD – Continuing with regular mindful practices
and exploration of ways to continue to develop it as a resource for
effective self-management and apply it in your role and how participants
can maintain their commitment to mindfulness.

PRE-WORK
You will be asked to keep a log in the two weeks leading up to
the programme, outlining situations as a manager where you feel more and
less able to manage the demands made upon you. This information will be
used to explore the function and benefit of mindfulness to you as a
manager.

Tasks will also be set between the workshops, where you will be given
some resources and asked to practice mindfulness and record your
experiences.