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== '''<big>Insights on the Power of Sponsorship in Career Advancement: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass</big>'''  ==

== '''<big>Neuroplasticity and Self-compassion: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass</big>'''  ==

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[[File:Alejandro Gonzalez & Ginette Bailey 2024 Masterclass ENG.png|alt=|left|frameless|437x437px]]

<big>Sponsorship is a crucial strategy for accelerating career growth and creating opportunities. The first Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle (LLMC) Masterclass of 2024, held on September 23, focused on The Power of Sponsorship.</big>  

<big>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.  </big>

<big>Presented by Gérard Étienne and moderated by Samantha Moonsammy and Suzan Richards, this session illuminated how sponsorship transforms careers, uplifts others, and fosters meaningful change across the public service.</big>

<big>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.</big>

<big>Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship by actively advocating for someone's career progression. While mentors provide guidance and share knowledge, sponsors use their influence to promote their protégé’s advancement. Gérard described sponsorship as “a necessary condition to movement within the public service”, yet acknowledged its inconsistent application. Despite diversity and inclusion efforts, he noted, based on his PhD research, subject matter expertise, and first hand experience developing and providing Diversity and Inclusion Inventory Surveys, that public service demographics remain unrepresentative of Canadian diversity, particularly at the Executive level.</big>

<big>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.</big>  

<big>Equity-seeking groups and individuals with intersecting marginalized identities face significant barriers. For instance, Gérard highlighted that while women in general have gained representation in government, there are far fewer Black women, and “a Black woman who may have a disability will be a rarity within the federal public service.”</big>

<big>'''Checking in and Taking Stock'''</big>  

<big>Sponsorship, Gérard explained, can counteract these gaps by enabling equitable access to career advancement opportunities. He emphasized treating others as they want to be treated, fostering individuality, inclusion, and empowerment—core principles of sponsorship as a form of inclusive leadership.</big>

<big>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.</big>

<big>Samantha shared a personal story illustrating sponsorship's impact. Early in her career, a cubicle-mate became her sponsor years later by introducing her to an organization seeking her expertise. That pivotal connection eventually led to the creation of the LLMC program, which connects individuals across all levels of the public service, promoting mentorship and sponsorship.</big>

<big>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!</big>  

<big>The program exemplifies sponsorship’s ripple effect: one act of advocacy can catalyze systemic change. Gérard, Samantha, and Suzan emphasized that anyone can be a sponsor, regardless of position. Networking is critical to identifying these opportunities and creating meaningful connections.</big>

<big>'''Neuroplasticity and Self-Compassion'''</big>

<big>The LLMC program is a testament to the power of mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusion. By nurturing future leaders who champion diversity and equity, it takes concrete steps toward fostering workplaces that reflect Canada’s rich diversity. Inclusion is not just about words, it’s about actions, and the LLMC program is taking meaningful steps in the right direction.</big>

<big>The Masterclass teachers shared that “neuroplasticity is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization.”</big>  

<big>To emphasize its transformative impact, the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence, hosts the annual Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program—the largest group mentoring initiative supporting Defence Team members and federal public service employees at large.</big>  

<big>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.</big>  

<big>The program's fourth cohort, running from September to December 2024, includes over 1,100 participants from 60+ departments. These individuals joined 150+ mentoring circles, attended biweekly Masterclasses, and expanded their networks through robust opportunities.</big>

<big>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.</big>

 

<big>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.</big>  

==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==

==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==

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