Self-compassion in the workplace
Life and work are increasingly stressful for us all. Research shows that self-compassion is a powerful protective factor in a wide range of wellbeing indicators, enabling us to increase our emotional resilience and reduce burnout.
Developing our self-compassion helps us to respond more successfully to the daily challenges we face in our workplaces while improving our health and wellbeing in our working lives.
It is successfully used by many organisations as an invaluable tool to counter stress-based absence and to build a more compassionate culture. Adopting this approach is also the foundation for showing authentic and sustained compassion to others and is core to developing both compassionate leaders and a compassionate organisation.
Improving self-criticism and self-sabotaging behaviour
When we experience a difficult situation at work, all too often, our natural instinct is to blame ourselves and judge ourselves as having failed. However, if we can show ourselves the same compassion as we would a friend, accept everyone makes mistakes and stop our negative emotions from taking over, we are showing self-compassion. And strengthening our ability to use self-compassion, makes us much more likely to be able to bounce back and improve our performance.
And the best news is that self-compassion is an entirely trainable skill. Drawing upon our occupational psychology background, our approach teaches the science behind self-compassion and its core components of Self-Kindness, Common Humanity and Mindfulness.
Self-compassion exercises and practices
Our approach is based on understanding why we need self-compassion and how it assists us in our life and work. Working through the theory as well as the practice of self-compassion, our programmes use a combination of recorded webinars, self-compassion exercises , podcasts and practical tasks to embed the learning.
Self-Compassion at Work Programme
This innovative user-friendly programme, delivered across four modules, is based on the latest academic literature, data and best practice in the field of self-compassion.
Self-Compassion at Work Programme
Our Self-Compassion at Work programme is a unique, online programme which enables anyone to develop their self-compassion in their own time and at their own pace. It has been designed using the latest research and best practice in the field of mindful self-compassion.
The programme delivers four modules via training webinars, to introduce the science and work through practical exercises to learn about the components behind Self-Compassion of Self-Kindness, Common Humanity and Mindfulness. This programme provides all the tools and techniques you require to enact self-compassion in your day to day working life. These include short practical tasks, a reflective daily diary, action plans to chart progress and full instructions.
Many organisations are using this programme as a key part of their Health and Wellbeing strategy, making it freely available for staff members to learn how to bring this approach into their work and lives.
Rigorous research with a large group of working professionals has shown how this self-guided online intervention brings significant improvements for participants in their mental wellbeing, stress and burnout levels. Our White Paper summarising the findings of this research can be found here.
Countering compassion fatigue in the public sector
The alarming rates of stress and burnout amongst public servants particularly in the period since the Covid-19 pandemic, places them at greater risk of compassion fatigue. We have therefore created a special version of our Self-Compassion at Work programme for employees in the public sector. Click here for information about our Public Sector Self-Compassion at Work programme.
The Self-Compassion at Work programme’s four modules cover the following
Module One
Introduction to the Self-Compassion at Work Programme and background to Self-Compassion and how this approach can assist us in our day to day lives and workModule Two
Introduction to Self-Kindness, overcoming self-criticism and increasing self-acceptanceModule Three
Introduction to Common Humanity and overcoming isolation and Introduction to Mindfulness and overcoming overidentification with our thoughts and feelingsModule Four
Introduction to Developing and Maintaining your Self-Compassion Practice beyond the programme£39.50 (inc VAT)
If you’re ready to start treating yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you offer to others, then this cost-effective, online programme is for you. It costs £39.50. (If using a discount code, please enter this on the checkout page prior to payment). Once payment is received you will automatically receive an email with the instructions, materials and links to the webinars as a set of downloads to the email address you provide at checkout.
And to make it even easier to get started, we’re offering a special discount for our online visitors. Just use the code GRATITUDE at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
We offer volume discounts for this evidence-based, online programme for 50+ participants. Enquire here for bespoke group rates.
Introduction to Self-Compassion at Work Workshop
To help access the benefits of self-compassion development for your workforce, we also offer a one and a half hour live online introductory session led by an occupational psychologist. This gives the opportunity for up to 12 participants to be introduced to the theory and practice of self-compassion in the workplace including self-compassion exercises and techniques for improved health and wellbeing. Discussion and questions are encouraged and participants leave with a clear understanding of how they can apply self-compassion to their own working lives.
Testimonial from a commissioning organisation:
“As part of our ongoing commitment to support staff health and wellbeing, we have continued our work with Amanda Super in this academic year as the Self-Compassion in the Workplace sessions have received very positive evaluations.”
Daniela Bultoc (Senior Organisational Development Consultant and Staff Wellbeing Strategic Lead) Imperial College London
To discuss our Self-Compassion at Work Programme or our Introduction to Self-Compassion Workshop for the staff in your organisation contact us on the form below.
Why Practice Self-Compassion?
Research shows that people who are more self-compassionate are
Happier
Practising self-compassion leads to more happiness, optimism, gratitude and better relationships with others
Less stressed
Self-compassion is a powerful antidote to the self-criticism and perfectionistic thinking that can lead to stress, anxiety and depression
More resilient
Self-compassionate people bounce back more easily from set-backs and are more likely to learn from their mistakes
Testimonials
Having completed the Self-Compassion at Work Programme, I found the four modules easy to access and concise and the content is user friendly, both personally and in terms of sharing the ideas presented with clients. I think this programme is necessary as part of a whole organisation approach to embedding compassion for self and others.
D. Joyce (CBT and EMDR Therapist -Accredited)
The Self-Compassion at Work Programme was very inspiring and gave guided practices and practical tips about how to implement self-compassion into your everyday life - even with a busy schedule! It also opened my eyes to how critical and negative I was towards myself and started me on the journey towards a more content and happier self, which will make me a better professional too.
Lucy Rowe (Organisational Development Practitioner)
Creating Compassion has delivered a number of Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programmes within our organisation. The feedback from attendees has been extremely positive, with those completing the programme inspired to engage in a community of practice. We are very much looking forward to continue working with Creating Compassion to further support our workforce in leading with compassion.
Ruth Heggie (Head of Organisational Development, Learning and Culture)
The Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme has given me the confidence and permission to be a compassionate leader when working with my direct reports and peers. It has been one of the best courses I have been on and has really changed me.
Rachel Bold (Department Manager)
I would definitely recommend the Self-Compassion at Work Programme. I think this should be offered to everyone as part of an organisation’s responsibility for employee welfare and wellbeing. I think it could be used within team supervision to create a more caring atmosphere in my place of work and should form part of appraisals.
Charlie Jones-Taylor (Department Manager)
In the current climate we work in these days, it is very important to think of having compassion for yourself as well, since so much is asked of us in relation to colleagues and our patients, it’s very easy to forget about our own wellbeing. The Self-Compassion at Work Programme has taught me to be kinder to myself.
Rosemary Okeke (Matron)
In terms of the Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme, the feedback has been so positive. Not only the evidenced increase in the participants’ Self-Compassion and Mental Wellbeing, but their personal feedback relating to the difference it has made for them is inspiring.
Ruth Barker (Head of HR)
The Compassionate Leadership Coaching programme taught me so much that I thought I knew, but actually didn’t! Using the practices that Amanda taught me, I am certainly a more compassionate leader and will never again fail to consider others and my emotions when dealing with difficult workplace scenarios.
Ian Wright (Associate Director, Estates and Facilities Management)
Having attended the Self-Compassion at Work Programme I found the webinars very accessible and a good method to deliver this programme. I have found the tools and techniques have made a really big difference to me both at work and at home in terms of how I relate to myself and those around me.
Stephen Jenkins (Senior Engineer)
The benefit I gained from the coaching sessions and exercises on the Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme made a huge difference to my life and work. Eight months on from starting, I am able to manage my stress levels to ensure I am balanced and happy at work and home.
Lee Bushell (Head of Capital Projects)
I would highly recommend the Self-Compassion at Work Programme. It has been valuable and has provided some useful tools. The format of this course was very flexible and worked well with having a young family.
Mohammed Khan (Project Manager)
The Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme enabled me to take time out and focus on my own resilience; developed my coping mechanisms in challenging situations; and, as a consequence, be able to do the same for others.
Helen Curtis (Deputy Accountable Officer and Director of Quality and Performance)
Working with Amanda on the Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme was one of the most personally developmental programmes I have engaged with in a very long time.
Lisa Gresty (Assistant Director of Organisational Development)
Amanda’s Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme combined a wealth of Compassion Focused Therapy and Self-compassion research into simple theory webinars and practical, easy to follow exercises. Amanda embodies self-compassion; coaching and inspiring participants to develop their own personalised regular practice. The impact for me has been an enduring practice that has helped me to thrive and maintain my mental wellbeing through very turbulent times.
Jean Ellis (Programme Manager)
All the material on the Self-Compassion at Work Programme was very useful, and I was able to apply the knowledge straight away into my work and practice.
Mark James (Doctor)
The Compassionate Leadership Coaching Programme gave me a range of self-compassion techniques to use both in work and my personal life, that I continue to use to this day. I would highly recommend this programme if you are seeking personal development and practical tools that you can use in a range of situations.
Safia Barber (Head of Research, Development and Innovation)