Workshop
September 25th, Self-Compassion for Leaders to Prevent Burnout with Michael Merks
September 25th, Self-Compassion for Leaders to Prevent Burnout with Michael Merks
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Thursday, September 25, 2025 9am-11am PT
Self-compassion for Leaders to Manage Burnout (Prevention) Workshop
Leaders face enormous pressure: global crises, digital disruption, skilled‑labor shortages, and relentless organizational change make work more complex, faster, and unpredictable. In flatter hierarchies with fewer resources, they carry greater responsibility while appreciation declines and uncertainty rises.
Peak mental performance is essential, yet even seasoned leaders reach their limits. Worldwide, 25–75 % of employees—many in leadership—show burnout symptoms. Those who care deeply, base self‑esteem on work, sacrifice themselves, or engage in harsh self‑criticism are most at risk. More than 200 studies confirm that overload, self‑criticism, and self‑sacrifice drive burnout: those who constantly function and forget themselves burn out internally.
The good news: self‑compassion is a fast‑acting antidote. It boosts resilience, reduces stress, clarifies focus, and shields against exhaustion—without reducing effectiveness. Self‑compassion is not weakness but a clear, courageous, human stance that can be learned, strengthening leaders and positively impacting teams, organizations, and personal lives.
Course/Workshop Objectives
- Explain the theory and research on burnout and self-compassion
- Know how self-compassion is an antidote to work stress and burnout
- Identify personal life situations and triggers that can lead to stress and burnout
- Apply new self-compassion practices to handle stress in daily life
Meet Your Workshop Teacher
Michael Merks is a certified MSC teacher and expert in self-compassion for leaders
and healthcare. With an MBA and advanced training in hypnosystemic coaching
(Milton Erickson Institutes, DBVC/IOBC), he supports individuals, teams, and
organizations in navigating challenges and complexity with clarity, courage and
Compassion.
Before founding his consulting boutique, Michael spent 14 years as a senior
executive and managing director in global companies like P&G. He led international
marketing teams, an innovation lab, and large-scale change programs and culture
transformation initiatives. His guiding belief: “Organizations thrive when their people
do. Human-centered, compassionate leadership is the foundation of sustainable
success – and leaders should be role models and practice self-compassion.”
As a consultant and coach, Michael has worked across Europe, the U.S., and Asia
with clients in healthcare, IT, automotive, energy, and public sectors. He has a deep
commitment to healthcare transformation: he has supported over 20 university and
regional hospitals and developed the initiative “The Compassionate Hospital” to
improve staff well-being, patient care, and economic resilience.
In 2017, Michael co-founded The Mindful Spaces Center with Hanna Tempelhagen in
Hamburg, focusing on leadership, mindfulness, and compassion. He developed the
program “Self-Compassion for Leaders” with Chris Germer and is a certified trainer
for Compassionate Leadership (CFCL, Montauk, NY). Michael lives in Hamburg (Germany), draws inspiration from the near sea, and treasures time with family and friends.
Registration closes September 23rd.
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Benefits of Mindful Self-Compassion
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What is Self-Compassion?
Self-compassion involves responding in the same supportive and understanding way you would with a good friend when you have a difficult time, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself. There are three elements which comprise self-compassion: Self-kindness vs. self-judgment, common humanity vs. isolation, and mindfulness vs. over-identification.
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Proven Benefits
In daily life, self-compassion involves noticing when we’re having a hard time, and rather than judging and criticizing ourselves, we respond to our pain with care and kindness, just as we would a dear friend. There’s now an impressive and growing body of research demonstrating that relating to ourselves in a kind, friendly manner is essential for emotional wellbeing. And though self-compassion is not often the first response for many of us during moments of personal struggle, this skill can be trained, even for those of us who did not learn it as children.
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Access to Materials & Recording
Twelve hours prior to the start of the workshop you will receive access to the content, additional materials and the the zoom link for the live session. The workshop will also be recorded and you will have access for 90 days if you want to review it at your convenience.
FAQs & Important Information
If I'm unable to attend, can I request a refund?
Our entire Refund Policy is located here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/
We encourage you to review the Refund Policy in its entirety. Below is important information that we would like you to be aware of before choosing to make a financial commitment with us.
All refund requests must be made via the refund request form at the link above.
Refunds must meet specific terms of eligibility to include the reason for requesting a refund.
Our Refund Policy (at the link above) includes details on when we are able and are not able to issue a full refund.
All refund request forms are reviewed by a small team of our staff. We ask for your patience and understanding when requesting a refund.
If you have any questions after reviewing our Refund Policy, feel free to reach out to us at hello@centerformsc.org
Important Info: Mindful Self-Compassion is not a substitute for Therapy
Our programs are designed to teach participants the tools needed to develop and cultivate a mindfulness and self-compassion practice.
It is not a substitute for mental health care, personal therapy or medical treatment.
Personal safety and emotional wellbeing are the foundation of self-compassion training and you are primarily responsible for your own safety.
Teachers and facilitators are not expected or able to provide medical and/or psychological care. Course experiences may bring up challenging memories or feelings.
If you have a history with a serious mental health condition or other concerns you think may impact your ability to take this course, please contact CMSC or your healthcare professional to determine if this course is right for you. Your personal contact information may be used in the event the teacher or facilitator reasonably determines a need to call emergency services on your behalf.
Important Info: Productive Participation in Courses & Workshops
Participation is at the discretion of the teachers and facilitators at all times.
If, in the opinion of the teachers and facilitators, you are unable to participate productively and appropriately in the course or workshop you have registered for, you may be asked to discontinue.
Decisions of removal are to ensure CMSC provides the safest space possible for our participants and teachers. Please see our refund policy regarding necessary participant removal.