Professor Michael West, a Senior Visiting Fellow at the King’s Fund and Professor of Organisational Psychology at Lancaster University, delivered a powerful presentation on Compassionate Leadership and Teamworking at LTHTr’s inaugural joint Postgraduate/Undergraduate Medical Educators event on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
The thought-provoking session emphasized how compassion serves as a cornerstone of effective leadership, particularly when facing external pressures and stressful conditions. Professor West highlighted that while compassion can be overlooked during challenging times, it plays an essential role in fostering healthy and productive teams.
One of the most compelling aspects of the talk was the emphasis on how human nature fundamentally thrives on connection and support. Professor West reminded attendees that beyond mental and physical health, strong and supportive workplace relationships significantly contribute to enhanced motivation, collaboration, and overall productivity.
The presentation outlined four key behaviours that form the foundation of compassionate leadership:
– Attending and being present
– Letting go of past experiences
– Understanding both emotional and cognitive aspects of issues
– Showing empathy and motivation
This framework provides leaders with practical guidance for supporting their teams and navigating challenges collaboratively.
Dr. Alison Sykes, Director of Postgraduate Medical Education, and Professor Madhavi Paladugu, Hospital Dean, expressed their appreciation following the event, saying: “We hope those that attended found some of these ideas particularly useful and inspiring within your own contexts. Thank you to Professor Michael West for taking time out to visit us and shine a light on such an important area.”
The event marked the first time LTHTr has brought together both postgraduate and undergraduate medical educators for a shared professional development opportunity, reflecting the Trust’s commitment to fostering compassionate leadership across all levels of medical education.
