On Friday September 25, Connecting Windsor-Essex welcomed back the Human-Centered Leadership 2026 cohort for the third of this year’s training sessions, once again facilitated by Matt Dunlop of Mainstream Corporate Training. There, Matt built on the first two sessions, which focused on the individual, inviting the group to broaden its perspective through three connected lenses: the individual, the team, and the organization.
Active Listening as a Skill
One of the day’s most memorable ideas was the shift from an open-door policy to an open-discussion policy. Matt discussed how an open door alone does not guarantee trust and understanding. He encouraged participants to practice active listening with empathy, hearing to understand rather than to respond and recognizing the emotions behind the dialogue.
P.A.U.S.E. Before You Solve
Rather than “symptom solving,” Matt challenged the group to dig deeper and reach the root of a problem using P.A.U.S.E.: Pinpoint, Assess, Uncover, Select, and Execute/Evaluate. It’s practical framework that encourages information gathering, careful reflection, and action grounded in intention. The takeaway was simple: culture is taught indirectly – a leader’s everyday actions show the team what is truly expected.
Matt walks participants through the P.A.U.S.E. framework step-by step.
Looking Ahead
The session left participants with plenty to reflect on as they continue putting Human-Centered Leadership into practice. Connecting Windsor-Essex’s series has created a valuable space for learning and conversation, and Matt’s engaging facilitation continues to make each session meaningful. We are excited to come together again for the fourth and final session on November 20, 2026, and to see how the ideas from across the series come together.
Empathy, transparency and authenticity can be the difference between a unified team and a divided workforce. Let Matt Dunlop support your human-centered leadership strategy through our exclusive membership offerings.
