Mindfulness & Leadership

Mindfulness defines a situation, in which a person is mentally present without being distracted from thoughts or emotions. These are neither analyzed nor judged. Mindfulness is an important element of the Buddhist tradition and is taught through mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)-trainings, Yoga, and meditation approaches in western culture. Until today, effects of mindfulness are tested and studied in medical and psychological clinical contexts. However, nowadays it is also part of the new work trend and enters the business context. During the seminar different mindfulness practices are presented, practiced and their effects on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship are discussed.

Lecturer:

Dr. Sandra-Luisa Moschner

Learning Outcomes:

Students know what mindfulness is, how they can practice it in their daily private and professional lives, and which influence it has in the work place.

Content:

1. Introduction to mindfulness,
2. Individual project work on a mindfulness routine and reflexions and discussions in the group,
3. Paper presentations of students on mindfulness in the work place

Communication Skills

The purpose of this course is to equip students with important communication skills to successfully navigate the dynamic world of professionals dealing with innovation. Students will explore the field of communication by getting in touch with different communication models, like the Schramm model of communication. Furthermore, the storytelling canvas will be applied as a hands-on tool to craft engaging and audience-focused presentations. Successfully communicating complex ideas in a simple, yet engaging way is key to bring about change in organizations. Here, proficiency with tools like PowerPoint is crucial to create compelling visual support. Also, future changemakers need to bring together perspectives in multidisciplinary and increasingly intercultural teams. Being able to give and receive feedback in a constructive way is equally important. Communication will be discussed in these different facets in an interactive format and a focus on practical applications.

Lecturer:

Malte Krohn

Learning Outcomes:

After completion of this course, students will have learned:

• Why communication is an important skill in the innovation context
• About the five components of Schramm’s model of communication
• How to use the storytelling canvas to craft engaging stories
• How to use PowerPoint to visualize ideas
• How to give and receive constructive feedback

Content:

The seminar will take place in an interactive format during two days of the GTIME induction week. Based on the lecture and a number of interactive exercises, the students will pitch a chosen topic in a TED-style event, which will be assessed.

Intercultural Competencies

Globalization of business processes and the revolution in information and communication technologies (ICT) have resulted in distributed workflows across geographic boundaries. These developments as well as increased immigration emanating, for example, as a consequence of a shortage of skilled labour in many industrialized nations, have led to the creation of (virtual) multi-cultural, multi-ethnic teams with diverse cultural backgrounds. Such diversity generally has a positive impact on creativity and innovativeness, as many empirical studies confirm. Nevertheless, varying cultural practices, communication styles, and contextual sensibilities have the potential to disturb or even disrupt collaborative work processes, if left unmanaged.

Lecturer:

Dr. Rajnish Tiwari

Learning Outcomes:

Content:

Some of the main topics covered in this course includes

• Understanding “culture” and its impact on human interaction
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
• High and low context communication
• Role of formality and non-formality in communication
• Varying interpretations of symbols, rituals & gestures
• Managing diversity in domestic settings