As line managers, we are often called upon to support our teams through some of life’s most vulnerable and complex moments. This session is designed to deepen your understanding of compassionate leadership and equip you with the confidence to navigate sensitive situations with empathy, clarity and practical awareness. 

We’ll explore the realities of disenfranchised grief, such as relationship breakdowns, job loss or infertility, as well as the challenges of supporting employees facing terminal illness, bereavement or caring responsibilities. Through discussion, reflection and applied practice, you’ll learn how to respond with compassion, hold supportive conversations and apply organisational policies in a way that feels human and grounded. 

By the end of the session, you’ll be better prepared to embed compassion into everyday leadership and create a workplace where people feel genuinely seen, supported and able to thrive.

Learning Outcomes 

Understanding Compassionate Leadership 

• Develop a clear understanding of what compassionate leadership looks like in practice.
• Explore how empathy, emotional intelligence and psychological safety influence team wellbeing and performance.
• Understand the importance of truly knowing your team and showing up for individuals in meaningful, human-centred ways. 

Navigating Sensitive and Complex Situations 

• Build awareness of the life events employees may experience, including disenfranchised grief, caring responsibilities, terminal illness and bereavement.
• Understand how these experiences may show up in the workplace and influence behaviour, communication and performance.
• Learn how to recognise when additional support, adjustments or signposting may be needed. 

Holding Compassionate and Vulnerable Conversations 

• Learn practical frameworks for approaching difficult conversations with clarity, confidence and care.
• Explore language and approaches that support trust, dignity and psychological safety.
• Understand how to manage your own emotional responses while supporting others through challenging moments. 

Compassionate Leadership in Practice 

• Understand the balance between the “human doing” and “human being” aspects of supporting employees.
• Use breakout sessions to explore real life scenarios and practise compassionate responses. 
• Gain a basic understanding of the legal protections in place for employees and how to use internal guidance and policy effectively. 

Embedding Compassion into Everyday Leadership 

• Identify small, intentional behaviours that build a culture of compassion and inclusion.
• Reflect on your own leadership style and create personal commitments for continued growth.
• Strengthen self-compassion as a leader, including selfcare strategies and wellbeing network mapping to help prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. 

Join the Compassionate Employers team at 10.00–12.30 on Wednesday 18 February 2026, for this interactive virtual workshop, for just £199 + VAT per person.   

We will limit this workshop to 20 participants, so once we have reached capacity, we’ll create a waiting list for future dates.  

Please complete the information below to book workshop places. If you are buying a ticket on behalf of someone else, please enter the attendee(s) details here.

This practical and interactive workshop is recommended for all leaders and line managers, including those in HR and Wellbeing roles. It’s designed to help you better support team members through grief, illness, or personal loss, helping you respond with both confidence and compassion.