E04: Leadership that Listens – Dr. Karen Ladley on Servant Leadership

The Compassionate Newsroom

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Karen discusses the importance of empathy, open communication, and compassionate leadership in education and journalism. She emphasizes the need for understanding and support in challenging times, particularly in the context of mental health reporting and the well-being of journalists. The discussion highlights the significance of creating a supportive environment that values people over workplaces, fostering resilience and trust among team members.

Takeaways

• Empathy and open communication are crucial in leadership.
• High expectations must be balanced with understanding and support.
• Listening for understanding fosters a positive work environment.
• Mental health reporting requires ethical considerations to avoid harm.
• Support for journalists is essential for their well-being.
• Compassionate leadership involves active listening and servant leadership.
• Valuing people over workplace demands leads to better outcomes.
• Creating a culture of care enhances resilience in teams.
• Training and resources for journalists can improve reporting quality.
• Compassionate leadership is vital in today's challenging work environments.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
04:12 Leadership in Television News
07:49 Transition to Higher Education and Leadership Styles
13:26 The Importance of Active Listening
18:56 The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
22:41 Minimizing Harm in Mental Health Reporting
30:14 Creating Compassionate Newsrooms
35:57 Defining Compassionate Leadership

Links of topics mentioned in this episode:

Rosalynn Carter's Leadership in Mental Health

The Carter Center Journalism Resource Guide on Mental Health Reporting

Extending the Conversation: Top Book Recommendations on Servant Leadership