I am thrilled to share with you my recent experience conducting “The Heart of Leadership” workshop at ChristianaCare hospital in Delaware, exploring leadership by examining a powerful film. Taking place just a day after Valentine’s Day, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect to delve into the profound connections between love, empathy, excellence, and effective leadership.
The workshop, attended by 70 physicians, nurse managers, and hospital professionals, was an interactive exploration of leadership inspired by my documentary, “The Heart of Camden,” featuring the remarkable Michael Doyle. This 44-minute film served as a catalyst for deep discussions on leadership qualities and personal growth. Teaming up with Dr. Tabassum Salam, Chief Learning Officer at ChristianaCare, we collaborated to pinpoint the leadership cohorts. Subsequently, in tandem with Dr. Himani Divatia, Medical Director of Patient Experience, we tailored the learning materials specifically for their leadership teams, seamlessly incorporating their Values and Behaviors into the workshop curriculum.
A Trinity of Effectiveness
The workshop was designed around a trinity of effectiveness, focusing on three key components
- Examination of the Documentary: We dissected “The Heart of Camden” in two parts, drawing out key insights into leadership from Michael Doyle’s inspiring examples. His grit, empathy, love, and strategic vision resonated deeply with the participants, highlighting the importance of leading with heart.
- Storytelling: Stories have a unique power to breathe life into discussions and connect leadership principles with real-world experiences. Through storytelling, we explored diverse perspectives and learned from each other’s challenges and triumphs.
- Interactivity: An essential element of the workshop lay in the rich exchange of ideas among participants. By sharing their own leadership challenges, solutions, and commitments, they fostered a supportive environment conducive to growth and learning.
At ChristianaCare, love and empathy are not just words on paper but fundamental values that guide their actions. It’s extraordinary to encounter an organization that not only embraces these values but also actively integrates them into their training and communications. Throughout the documentary and our discussions, it became evident how love, empathy, excellence, and other essential leadership competencies intertwine and contribute to effective leadership, mirroring the ethos of ChristianaCare.
Compassionate Leadership
One of the most rewarding aspects of the workshop was witnessing the genuine commitment of participants to make a difference within ChristianaCare. This commitment underscored their dedication to embodying the principles of compassionate leadership in their daily work.
As the facilitator, I was deeply humbled by the overwhelming feedback from participants. Many described the workshop as inspiring, important, and the best leadership training they’ve received. However, the true honor was mine, as I gleaned invaluable insights from these selfless hospital professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for and healing the sick and saving lives.
In their honorable pursuit, they exemplify the essence of leadership – a blend of compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. It was a privilege to stand among such noble leaders and learn from their collective wisdom.
Leading With the Heart
“The Heart of Leadership” workshop served as a poignant reminder that leadership is not merely about authority or strategy; it’s about leading with heart, guided by love, empathy, and a genuine desire to serve others.
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Leadership FilmWorks is a leadership development firm that uses the synergy of creative technology, film, and storytelling to inspire, teach and develop leadership. Incorporating Dr. Douglas Clayton’s groundbreaking “Total Recall” approach to training, our program upskills your leaders to manage their teams and responsibilities through changing times, facilitate a productive and engaged environment in the virtual workplace, retain talent, build strong teams, and stay competitive. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us to set up a free consultation.