Bravery Breakouts – Feel, Don’t Fix: Leading with Attunement to Foster Respect and Civility

In an era of constant change and emotional overload, many leaders are conditioned to respond to employee distress with strategies, tools, and solutions. But what if the most transformative move isn’t to fix an employee’s problem immediately—but to feel with the person?

This interactive session introduces the overlooked leadership skill of attunement—the ability to be present with someone’s emotional state in a way that fosters connection, clarity, and commitment.

Participants will explore why attunement matters, how to recognize moments that call for it, and what it takes to practice it skillfully. In a time when workplace incivility and disconnection are on the rise, attunement offers a path back to respect, humanity, and trust. Through real-world examples, reflective exercises, and embodied practice, leaders will learn how presence—not performance—can shift a conversation from tension to trust.

Participants will walk away with:

• A clear understanding of what attunement is, why it works, and how it differs from advising, problem-solving, or coaching
• A somatic cue checklist to help leaders recognize when attunement is needed, including how to sense disconnection in themselves and others
• A step-by-step method to practice attunement in the moment—especially during emotionally charged 1:1 conversations

This session is ideal for leaders, educators, and professionals who want to deepen trust, strengthen engagement, and lead with more humanity—without needing more time or budget.