Presenter: Kelli Breland
Session Description:
In today’s complex academic environment, effective communication is essential for fostering trust, collaboration, and resilience among staff, faculty, and students. This interactive session introduces the principles and practices of Compassionate Listening, a powerful approach designed to deepen understanding, reduce conflict, and strengthen relationships. Drawing from the work of the Compassionate Listening Project, participants will explore how listening with curiosity, empathy, and non-judgment can transform conversations and create inclusive, supportive spaces.
Through guided discussion and experiential activities, attendees will learn practical tools to: Listen beyond words to understand underlying needs and emotions. Cultivate presence and self-awareness to respond rather than react. Build bridges across differences by fostering mutual respect and trust. Enhance leadership effectiveness through authentic, compassionate dialogue. As we reimagine how we work and bring our whole selves into the workplace, embracing emotional awareness, practicing values-based communication, and learning from diverse perspectives will promote a healthier future for UC campuses.
Learning Outcomes:
-
Demonstrate at least 2 techniques for active listening and listening beyond words.
-
Identify at least 1 personal activation and apply a self-regulation strategy during stimulating conversations.
-
Have action steps in mind to take back to your team to help resolve an active conflict or miscommunication challenge.
Materials: