This presentation discusses the ways in which institutional leaders, academics and academic
developers can use ‘dynamic compassionate leadership’, particularly through communities of practice, to offer effective other-focused guidance in increasingly challenging higher education contexts. It shares the vision of this leadership approach in relation to a case study of the Talking About Teaching and Learning community of practice. The presentation thus provides fresh, timely insights for leaders in varied higher education capacities. It speaks directly to the ‘leading through adversity’ theme of the symposium by providing both theoretical and practical resources to support all colleagues in their leadership endeavours.