Strategies for increasing attention and retention: using the body as a leadership tool

The Body as Leadership Tool Community of Practice is designed to facilitate a network of support for faculty, graduate students, staff, and other group leaders. Co-facilitated by Robert Allan, Dr. Rebecca Barnstaple and Dr. Kim McLeod, faculty members from the College of Arts, this group supports instructors who would like to enhance their ability to hold space and attention through engaging with movement and performance techniques. 

In this community of practice we will look at a variety of teaching and facilitation contexts, and experiment as a group with a range of performance techniques and concepts. We will reflect on the tools that work, those that don’t, and cross pollinate our growing understanding of how our bodies can play a key role in increasing the attention and retention of our audiences when we lecture or lead.

This community of practice seeks folks from all disciplines, departments, and schools at U of G, of any level of experience and background. There is no specific requirement for familiarity with using the body; we welcome participants who are simply looking to develop, adapt or refresh their leadership toolbox through embodied practice. We welcome bodies of all abilities.

Thursday, October 1st 10-11:30am;

Thursday, October 29th 10-11:30am;

Thursday, November 26th 10-11:30am

These sessions are all in-person, and will be held on the main Guelph Campus. Attendance at each session is encouraged to facilitate greater knowledge sharing and growth. It is not mandatory. We aim to provide a low stress and supportive environment.

We plan to be physically active and use the body throughout the practice sessions. There will be no required exercises, and modifications will be available. All participants are strongly encouraged to respect their boundaries and do what is beneficial for them throughout the work.

Register here for the Body as Leadership Tool Community of Practice.

More details on this community of practice can be found in this detailed overview. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to robert.allan@uoguelph.ca.

Please note that this CoP counts toward the Red Maple Program requirement of "1 additional OTL workshop of your choosing."