In diverse work settings, organizations committed to supporting collaborative work cultures, and many of our most inspiring leaders, are focusing on the skill of empathy in new and innovative ways. Collectively, we have discovered that empathy is a key element for creating connection, trust, and fostering a shared sense of team engagement. Of course, most healthcare professionals have an innate commitment to serve and be of service. Clinicians already lead with empathy. However, even for those of us who already utilize the power of empathy, it can be hard to name what empathy in practice actually means. Moreover, it is often the most intuitively empathic who struggle to make time for self-empathy. This session gives attendees a practical lens, a best-practices framework to better understand the important collaborative skill of empathy — making concrete an interpersonal practice that is often engaged without explicit reflection. This experiential session will also build capacity — toward creating a culture focused on both the flourishing of individuals and the engagement of the larger team in service of taking collaborative action together. Learning Objectives: · Identify the role of relational practices and a relational mindset in highly collaborative teams. · Determine how employing the skill of intentional empathy contributes to both the well-being of our workforce and the overall success of our teams. · Apply empathy in appropriate settings to re-ground the team in shared values for greater collaboration.

Matthew Lewis, PhD. National Trainer, Intend Health Strategies