Neuroplasticity and Self-compassion: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass
Neuroplasticity and Self-compassion: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass
The ability to adapt to change is one of the most important skills when fostering diverse, inclusive, and psychologically safer workplaces. To help build inclusive leaders at all levels across the Federal Public Service and Defence Team, the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence annually hosts the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program, the largest group mentoring initiative for members of the Government of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces with 1100+ participants from 60+ departments. Each of these individuals are engaged in one of the program’s 150+ group mentoring circles.
On November 18, 2024, LLMC held its fifth and final Masterclass of the year, “Self-Compassion and Neuroplasticity.” It was led by Alejandro Gonzalez and Ginette Bailey and hosted by Samantha Moonsammy and Suzan Richards.
The Masterclass emphasized the power of neuroplasticity and self-compassion and offered practical tools that anyone can use to better adapt to changes in the workplace and beyond.
Checking in and Taking Stock
Alejandro and Ginette opened the session by taking the group through a quick mindfulness exercise called a “body scan,” which brings one’s awareness to all parts of the body as a way to practice self-compassion and adapting to change.
Mindfulness and the ability to adapt to change are skills that need regular, consistent practice for most–which is where neuroplasticity and self-compassion come in!
Neuroplasticity and Self-Compassion
The Masterclass teachers shared that “neuroplasticity is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization.”
We all, as human beings, make use of neuroplasticity regularly, whether during big transitions like starting a new job or in small everyday tasks like figuring out how to use an app after an update. These things might be difficult at first, but with enough practice, they become habits through the power of neuroplasticity. And contrary to popular belief, we humans retain neuroplasticity throughout our lives, meaning that it’s never too late to change or learn something new.
But that doesn’t mean adapting to change is easy! That’s why self-compassion is so important: it can help us see change as an opportunity for growth rather than a hurdle. Without self-compassion, it’s much harder to learn a new skill, because we discourage ourselves by judging ourselves for making mistakes.
Practicing new skills like body scans to increase self-compassion not only uses human neuroplasticity to its full effect, but helps create more inclusive leaders at all levels: people who are adaptable to change and can see progress without giving up when something goes wrong. As Padmasree Warrior once wrote, “the ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.” Throughout its 10-week program, LLMC fostered these skills and created inclusive leaders across the Federal Public Service and Defence Team.