Today, many organisations are at a crossroads: for decades, modern capitalism has obsessed with maximizing efficiency, growth and share prices – at the cost of human development, social and societal responsibility and our natural environment. Businesses and their leaders are now among the least trusted “institutions” in society and our narrow way of “thinking business” is increasingly jeopardizing our capacity to flourish on this planet.

At the same time, organisations depend more than ever on inspired, engaged and competent employees in order to increase their agility and remain viable in fast-moving global markets. Yet, many - especially younger - colleagues are no longer willing to submit themselves to heartless “suffering machines” that recklessly deplete systemic aliveness and ignore their shared accountability for humanity.

Hence, as leaders, we must make a choice: either we continue as before, crushing human and organisational potential – or we courageously seek to “re-think” the way we do business. But how? It is easy to be hopeless or cynical…

Fortunately, we have found many wise thinkers suggesting that a different “way” of doing business is possible. That’s why we want to invite you on an adventurous journey to go "back to the roots" and examine how we can craft “good organisations” in the 21st century - combining values and agility, societal responsibility and commercial viability at scale. Our objective is create a ripple of hopeful inspiration - for all those leaders who choose to reinvent their companies for the “good life of all”… 

What's It All About?
Our world is complex and in need of thoughtful responses, demanding that leaders enhance their understanding of philosophy, economics, management and psychology. We must step into our civic and human responsibility, beyond simple profit maximization. This unique course promises a transformative journey, empowering inquisitive leaders to redefine their perception of organizations and leadership, and examine their own role in shaping a better economy. Over the course, participants will embark on a quest to review our leaders for humanity interviews, going deeper and broader in their examination. Their mission: to uncover how to make wiser choices and take more responsible actions in their daily lives and future careers.

Who is it for?

Admittedly, this course will not be for the faint of heart. Like any voyage into uncharted territory, the initial steps must be intimidating and discouraging for many. As Andre' Comte-Sponville, the French philosopher, eloquently stated: philosophy is an arduous task, requiring effort, study, and the use of appropriate tools. To philosophize is to think critically and act responsibly within context, whilst drawing on the wisdom of both past and contemporary thinkers. But fear not! Once you have mastered the sometimes arcane and esoteric vocabulary of philosophy, the rewards can be profound! It enables you to challenge prevailing norms and theories, and to use transdisciplinary dialectics to bring forth the best of humanity within our economy.

What is needed?

The course offers a flexible learning journey, drawing from Leaders for Humanity interviews and core concepts in philosophy, economics, management, and leadership. Participants are encouraged to tailor their learning paths, choosing topics of personal interest and progressing at their own pace. However, active engagement is essential, requiring participants to interact with suggested content and peers on the shared platform at least weekly. The success of the course relies on the diverse perspectives, reflections, and insights contributed by the community, emphasizing authenticity, active listening, and open communication for fostering collective learning.

Learning Goals

The program aims at three principle goals: (1) to develop executive leadership capacities of participants; (2) to inspire participants to experiment with new ways of working; and (3) to co-create individual and collective learnings through shared reflection.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Deeper understanding of ethical theories and increased ability and confidence to effectively judge complex management situations in the presence of uncertainty
• Increased ethical efficacy and “political” stakeholder management competences

• Virtue literacy and ability to habitually enact core virtues in daily leadership context

Course Format

• Weekly exploration sheet to prepare for interview session (background information, learning goals, core concepts, references)
• Weekly spotlight interview (60-120 minutes) - shared revision optional
• Weekly suggestions for deep dives and further exploration

• Quarterly Q&A session with faculty to clarify concepts and discuss insights and learnings
• Google Classroom for ongoing sense-making and discussion

COURSE REGISTRATION

A Prototype
We have created this prototype for the good of all. Our intention is to support “good leaders” – wherever they are - to become their very best; and to equip them with the necessary insights and experiences to contribute to a hopeful future for all of us. In our quest “for good” we have been carried forward by the thoughts and conversations of many friends and colleagues. Our thanks go to all of you, wholeheartedly - you know who you are! We wish all participants of this course much good and joy on your personal leadership journey, Antoinette and Otti