Inspiring Excellence Symposium

Description: Participants will learn how to transform difficult conversations and confrontations when approached from a Mindful Perspective using curiosity and empathy as primary interventions. Lee Mun Wah will demonstrate these mindful practices through the use of StirFry Seminars filmed vignettes and excerpts from his award-winning film, The Color of Fear. Participants will learn:
        Noticing Intent & Impact
        The Art of Mindful Inquiry
        Mindfully Listening & Responding
        The Art of Letting Go
        Using Curiosity & Empathy As Mindful Interventions

Chronic workplace stress affects more than individual wellbeing—it can influence how administrators, faculty, and staff think, communicate, make decisions, regulate emotions, collaborate, and support students. In environments shaped by competing priorities, changing initiatives, workload pressures, and limited resources, traditional self-care strategies may not be enough. This interactive, research-informed session examines how chronic stress and burnout can affect cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, engagement, and workplace performance. Participants will explore four key psychosocial conditions—workload pressure, psychological safety, role clarity and competing expectations, and workplace support and connectedness—and consider how these conditions shape both individual and organizational functioning. Drawing from solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and burnout research, the session moves beyond awareness to practical application. Participants will learn strategies to reduce overload, establish sustainable priorities, strengthen psychological flexibility, and distinguish between challenges best addressed through individual practices, leadership actions, organizational changes, or a combination of approaches. Participants will leave with actionable tools to protect their capacity to lead and work effectively while strengthening staff engagement, collaboration, follow-through, and the consistency and quality of support students experience.