Shifting the Leadership Paradigm: From Hierarchy-Focused to Human-Centered
Healthcare is facing a crisis of relationships. And this crisis has led to increased rates of burnout and turnover – with colleagues leaving the profession in record numbers – as well as a lack of belonging and purpose on our teams.
Now more than ever, the healthcare system needs leaders in relational practices. The evidence shows that complementing the technical aspects of leadership with the relational aspects is critical for enhancing team performance and engagement. These relational practices include fostering psychologically safer teams, cultivating a sense of inclusion and belonging, and implementing human-centered processes in our work.
These skills are readily learned and easy-to-implement. The Relational Leadership Institute (RLI) supports participants to learn skills that foster authenticity, belonging, growth mindsets, and interdependence across teams. Launched in 2017, RLI at OHSU has trained over 322 individuals in the tools and frameworks necessary to transform complex power dynamics through harnessing shared values and a collaborative practice —all in a supportive community of growth and learning.
Relational Leadership Institute
Relational Leadership Institute - Spring 2026
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The Spring course will be offered in person on the OHSU South Waterfront.
Introduction to Relational Leadership
Monday, March 30th | 2pm – 5pm
Narrative Leadership
Monday, April 6th | 2pm – 5pm
Positionality
Monday, April 13th | 2pm – 5pm
One-to-Ones
Monday, April 20th | 2pm – 5pm
Teaming (5 Dynamics)
Monday, April 27th | 2pm – 5pm
Relational Coaching
Monday, May 4th | 2pm – 5pm
Transforming Conflict
Monday, May 11th | 2pm – 5pm
Transformative Action
Monday, May 18th | 2pm – 5pm
Communicating with Empathy
Monday, June 1st | 2pm – 5pm
Closure
Monday, June 8th | 2pm – 5pm
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Providers and Faculty - $1350
Other Healthcare Professionals - $700
Students and Residents - $400
The program fee includes CME/CEU*, course materials, and a strengths-based personal assessment.
Course participants are encouraged to apply for funding from their departments. A limited number of scholarships are available, please email rli@ohsu.edu for information.
*Accreditation: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of OHSU School of Medicine and The Relational Institute. The OHSU School of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit: OHSU School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 20.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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The Relational Leadership Institute is committed to putting out an innovative, high quality training experience, in an inclusive and accessible way, particularly for individuals who have not had equal opportunities and access to leadership training. We intend for our registration fees to be an extension of those values, which we offer in a sliding scale to encourage participants from across the professional and generational spectrum to apply.
At the Relational Leadership Institute, we believe strongly that those that offer their expertise to the betterment of others should be fairly compensated. RLI trainers and facilitators bring cumulative decades and countless hours of experience in leadership practice and development into the Relational Leadership training space. We keep the cost of the course as low as possible, while still honoring the time that they put into making this course transformational. The fees for this course pay for trainer and facilitator honoraria, the 5 Dynamics assessment for each participant and for the ability to offer the course for CME credit.
If you have concerns or questions about the course cost or your ability to attend due to financial stress, please feel free to reach out to us.
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Who can apply for this program?
This program is for anyone who works in healthcare. Our cohorts are often made up of individuals with varying degrees of healthcare experience and walks of life. We believe that having a diverse cohort of individuals and perspectives creates a valuable and a unique experience for everyone involved.
Can I apply to this program if I’m not an OHSU employee?
Yes, RLI is open to both OSHU members and people outside of OHSU.
What is the Relational Leadership Institute (RLI)?
The RLI is a program designed to equip healthcare professionals with relational skills that promote authenticity, belonging, growth mindsets, and interdependence within teams. Since its inception in 2017 at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), RLI has trained almost 400 individuals, providing them with tools to navigate complex power dynamics through shared values and collaborative practices.
What kind of payment is acceptable to complete registration?
We accept all major debit and credit cards.
For OHSU employees: We are a designated IBS charge center and may take departmental payments through that venue.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available. Participants are also encouraged to seek funding from their departments. For more information on scholarships, please contact rli@ohsu.edu.
What is the learning format for this program?
This is an adult learning environment, with a learn one, do one model. Courses are held twice a year in a virtual and in person classroom format. Our Fall offering is a virtual – zoom format, while our spring offering is an in-person classroom format held at the Portland - OHSU campus.
When is program offered?
We currently offer this program twice a year, once in the fall term and once during spring term. We do follow OHSU’s academic calendar; and dates are announced as they are finalized. Our Fall offering is a virtual – zoom format, while our spring offering is an in-person classroom format held at the Portland - OHSU campus.
How do I apply for this program?
Please visit our Leadership Programing page on our website and you will find the application link there.
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The RLI Curriculum
RLI combines large group didactics, small group work, and opportunities for individual and group reflection, applying skills to clinical and healthcare settings.
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Fall 2025 Cohort
Applications for the Fall 2025 cohort open! Applications are due September 5th, 2025. Spots are limited and tend to fill before the deadline.
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Our Impact
Over 300 healthcare professionals have taken RLI in Portland. RLI participants report frequently using the skills they learned in the course and significant improvements in their wellbeing scores.
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Change the Way You Lead
A survey of RLI alumni revealed that participants were able to apply skills obtained in the course in a manner that immediately and positively impacted their leadership style.
What RLI Alumni Are Saying
“I think an appreciation for differences run through RLI. An employee who [I work with], we’re really different… looking at how that can impact a team and appreciating her, I think, our relationship has grown exponentially.”
— Social Worker
“I feel calmer and more relaxed. So many programs are geared toward productivity. This is more focused on who you are and valuing people for who they are.”
— Nurse Practitioner
“I am on a newly developing committee, and it was really, really helpful… kind of contextualizing the experience that we were having… [and] how can we perform as a team. I think that really helped me a lot in my professional life.”
— Health Administrator
“It certainly helped [my well-being] to see even more being part of a greater whole of folks who really care about interaction and mentoring and how best to do that… It’s a really wonderful community that way.”
— Physician