Empathy and Leadership Workshop

Michael Houlihan

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Empathy and Leadership Workshop

Build empathy and leadership skills

This workshop helps students discover their leadership potential through activities that combine problem-solving and empathy-building. By understanding diverse perspectives, students will learn to foster inclusive and effective leadership skills. This lesson is important as it equips students with the ability to lead with empathy, a crucial skill in today's diverse and interconnected world.

Audience

Grades 9-12 Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Build empathy and leadership skills

Materials

Post-it notes, Pens, Empathy and Leadership Scenarios, Discussion Questions, and Worksheet: Empathy Reflection

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Welcome students and introduce the topic of empathy and leadership.
Explain the importance of empathy in effective leadership.
Briefly outline the activities planned for the session.

Step 2

Activity 1: Empathy and Leadership Scenarios

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups.
Distribute scenario cards to each group.
Instruct groups to discuss how they would handle the situation as a leader, focusing on empathy.
Encourage students to consider diverse perspectives and potential outcomes.

Step 3

Discussion: Understanding Diverse Perspectives

10 minutes

Bring the class back together for a group discussion.
Use the provided discussion questions to guide the conversation.
Encourage students to share insights from their group discussions and reflect on the role of empathy in leadership.

Step 4

Activity 2: Empathy Reflection Worksheet

10 minutes

Hand out the Empathy Reflection Worksheet to each student.
Instruct students to individually reflect on a time they showed empathy or could have shown more empathy.
Ask them to consider how this experience could inform their leadership style.

Step 5

Closure

5 minutes

Summarize key takeaways from the workshop.
Encourage students to apply empathy in their daily interactions and leadership roles.
Thank students for their participation and engagement.

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Worksheet

Empathy and Leadership Scenarios

These cards contain scenarios for students to discuss in groups, focusing on empathy and leadership.

Scenario 1: A team member is consistently late to meetings, affecting group morale.

Scenario 2: A new student joins the class and seems isolated from others.

Scenario 3: During a group project, one member is dominating the conversation, leaving others out.

Scenario 4: A friend is upset about a recent argument with another friend.

Discussion

Empathy Discussion Questions

Use these questions to guide a class discussion on empathy and leadership.

Why is empathy important in leadership?

Discuss how empathy helps leaders understand and connect with their team.

How can leaders balance empathy with making tough decisions?

Explore the challenges leaders face and how empathy can guide decision-making.

Can you think of a leader who exemplifies empathy? What did they do?

Encourage students to share examples and discuss the impact of empathetic leadership.

Worksheet

Empathy Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet helps students reflect on their own experiences with empathy and how it can influence their leadership style.

Describe a time when you showed empathy. What was the outcome?

Think about a situation where you understood someone else's feelings.

Reflect on a situation where you could have shown more empathy. What would you do differently now?

Consider how empathy could have changed the situation.

How can empathy improve your leadership skills?

Think about how understanding others can help you lead more effectively.