IDC delivered an Empathetic Leadership Programme to all leaders and managers at PMI.
First, we conducted group leadership coaching sessions to understand the managers and leaders, their leadership styles, strengths, and areas of improvement. We aimed to get buy-in from them and align EDI objectives to overall business objectives. We asked the participants challenging questions to reveal certain barriers in their behaviours that prevent an inclusive culture at the workplace. A big takeaway from these sessions was heightened awareness, priming the participants to get into the right state of mind to absorb the actual learning content and increasing the likelihood of active engagement in the facilitation sessions that follow.
We then rolled out the Empathetic Leadership Programme. The programme included 6 modules including an introduction to Empathy and Empathetic Leadership Style, The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity in Leadership, Fostering Empathy, Effective Feedback and Dealing with Conflicts, Creating Inclusive and Collaborative Teams as well as Self and Contextual Awareness and Leadership Styles. The participants committed to a habit at the beginning of these sessions and practised it throughout the programme.
Finally, we conducted reflection sessions to ensure that the learning is secured and truly understood. We provided an opportunity for employees to reflect on, engage more deeply with what they have learnt and create personal connections to the subject matter. It was a safe space to discuss and work through any increased awareness about personally displayed behaviours or traits that are discriminative and non-inclusive to prevent guilt and remorse. Participants identified and made further personal commitments to ensure sustained change at the organisation.