Fiona Meechan – Strategic Command Course Lead, College of Policing; and Doctoral Researcher/Executive Education Associate, University of Manchester

Fiona leads on the delivery of the UK Police Strategic Command Course, which is the most senior leadership course in policing in the UK. In addition she delivers on the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme (MSc in Healthcare Leadership) at Alliance Manchester Business School, on behalf of the NHS Leadership Academy. She has previously held a range of senior leadership positions in the police and local government and was central to the design and delivery of the National Police Wellbeing Service. Her PhD examines the role of compassion at work.

Workplaces often cause suffering, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Lack of empathy is associated with unethical practice, which can lead to harm both within and beyond workplaces. Compassion is a fundamental human trait and when we bring our humanity into the workplace, we can create cultures where people feel valued and supported, and where people can thrive and be at their productive best. The challenge appears to be in convincing organisations, and the individuals that work in them, that there is a better way…