Compassionate Leadership Certification Training Resources
Welcome to the July 2026 Three-Week Compassionate Leadership Certification Training.
Please bookmark this page which will host all the course resources, including slides, video recordings, and additional documents and references.
This is a private page for course participants. Please be respectful that all materials are copyright and offered in support of your learning experience for individual use only.
For Module Resources, scroll down or click here.
ACCELERATED COURSE SCHEDULE
Modules 1, 2: July 7, 11am-2pm ET
Modules 3, 4: July 8, 11am-2pm ET
Integration and practice session: July 14, 11am-12pm ET
Integration and practice session: July 15, 11am-12pm ET
Modules 5, 6: July 21 11am-2pm ET
Modules 7, 8: July 22, 11am-2pm ET
First Alumni Session: August 19, 12pm-1pm ET
July 7, 2026
MODULE 1 RESOURCES
Module One Session Recording:
Module Resources:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
These two books each offer a strong foundation for the practice of compassionate leadership:
Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power That Elevates People and Organizations by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton – This is the early foundational book written by researchers who have been primary in shaping and defining the field. It offers an excellent framework for implementing compassionate leadership.
Compassionate Leadership: Sustaining Wisdom, Humanity and Presence in Health and Social Care by Michael A. West – This more recent book (2021) written by the UK’s thought leader in compassionate leadership captures much great work that has been done in the field. It is a great reference.
Mangoes: For those interested in reading more about your favorite fruit, there is this: Mango: A Global History (Edible).
MODULE 2 RESOURCES
Module Two Session Recording:
Module Resources:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
July 2026 Cohort Curiosity Statements
Everyday Practice – Curiosity
Research Resources:
Tania Singer and Olga Klimecki research on the neurological difference between compassion and empathy.
Full bibliography can be found on the final pages of the Presentation Slides linked in the "Module Resources" section above.
Resources From Our Library:
CFCL Articles: My Uncompassionate Boss
Curiosity: A Core Competency of a Compassionate Leader
Practice Matters: We invite you to explore the world of practice. Click here to read our practice entitled New and reveal the short wisdom bits in support of your compassion journey.
July 8, 2026
MODULE 3 RESOURCES
Module Three Session Recording:
Module Resources:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Resources From Our Library:
Blog Post: Designing for Compassion: Roles
Practice Matters: Move into Motion
Additional Resources:
Read the research on taking and making roles: “Crafting a Job: Revisioning Employees as Active Crafters of Their Work” by Amy Wrzesniewski and Jane E. Dutton
Read the poem “Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye
MODULE 4 RESOURCES
Module Four Session Recording:
Module Resources:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
If you are curious about your own expression of self-compassion, take the self-compassion test developed by Kristin Neff, the groundbreaking researcher in the field.
These two books offer a great coverage of self-compassion:
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff, Ph.D. for applying courageous compassion for yourself.
Read “The Five Myths of Self-Compassion” by Kristin Neff
Read the article “How to Turn Your Brain from Anger to Compassion” by Paul Gilbert
Read the poem “Admit Something” by Hafiz from Tuesday’s session
Kindness Resources: Here are some resources for those of us seeking to support their courage to make the first move toward kindness, generosity, and vulnerability. The War For Kindness, by Jamil Zaki is an excellent book that helps us to see the reality of our better nature. Collective Illusions by Todd Rose shows how we make bad decisions based on our erroneous perceptions of other’s beliefs. Academic researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky has an extensive bibliography on her website around happiness, gratitude, kindness, and connection.
Resources From Our Library:
Blog post: Are You Being Kind to Yourself
Practice Matters: Kind To Me
July 14, 2026
INTEGRATION AND PRACTICE SESSION 1
Just Like Me Practice and Q&A:
Additional Resources:
Use these Practices to engage in the Just Like Me and Note to a Dear Friend practices explored in this week's sessions. You may also explore six additional practices to help strengthen your awareness and compassion.
Practice Audio Recordings:
In addition to the written practices above, we include audio recordings to six practices. Each practice has two recordings - one with an introduction and one that is the guided practice only. We hope you find these useful for your growth as a compassionate leader. (Click arrow in audio players below to listen.)
Practice “Just Like Me”
Practice “Body Scan”
Practice: “Soothing Touch”
Practice: “Loving Kindness”
Practice: “Shared Humanity”
Practice: “Paired Presence”
July 15, 2026
INTEGRATION AND PRACTICE SESSION 2
Note to a Dear Friend Practice and Q&A:
July 21, 2026
MODULE 5 RESOURCES
Module Five Session Recording:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
More on Scharmer’s four levels of listening: Leading from the Emerging Future, by Otto Scharmer and Katrin Kaufer
Thanks for the Feedback, by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen
Other Resources:
Read the difference between “Lovingkindness” and “Being Nice”
Resources From Our Library:
“Language Matters: Use These Five Phrases to Keep Your Team Feeling Psychologically Safe.”
Blog post: Difficult Conversations
Practice Matters: We invite you to explore the world of practice. Click here to read our practice entitled The Only Way is Through and reveal the short wisdom bits in support of your compassion journey.
MODULE 6 RESOURCES
Module Six Session Recording:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
"Stereotype Content: Warmth and Competence Endure" by Susan Fiske
Research basis for the Eagleman video shown in class: "Empathic Neural Responses Predict Group Allegiance" by Don A. Vaughn, Ricky R. Savjani, Mark S. Cohen and David M. Eagleman
Resources Section of UC-Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute
Why do we practice “Joyful Noise?” Read about “How to create the sacred from the profane,” why brief rituals can be powerful, and the value of ending strong.
Resources From Our Library:
Blog post: Creating Environments of Belonging
Practice Matters: We Are That
July 22, 2026
MODULE 7 RESOURCES
Module Seven Session Recording:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
Social Architecture for Compassion:
Psychological Safety:
The Fearless Organization, by Amy Edmondson
“Learning from Mistakes is Easier Said than Done,” by Amy Edmondson
The seven-question psychological safety assessment designed by Amy Edmondson (requires provision of email address)
Amy Edmondson’s February 26th presentation to the Center for Positive Organizations on Failing Well
Growth Mindset:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck
Resources From Our Library:
Blog post: Compassionate Leaders Create Psychological Safety
Practice Matters: What If We Felt Safe?
MODULE 8 RESOURCES
Module Eight Session Recording:
Click Here to Download Presentation Slides.
Additional Resources:
The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change (PDF)
July 2026 Cohort Future Intentions
Resources From Our Library:
Blog post: Courageous Compassion
Practice Matters: We invite you to explore the world of practice. Click here to read our practice entitled Move into Motion and reveal the short wisdom bits in support of your compassion journey.