Ontology
Our work is based on the Ontological model of leadership
Our program is founded upon the Ontological model of leadership, according to which true leadership influence is rooted in a leader’s authentic presence and their ability to communicate deeply with others, rather than merely their positional power or actions.
Ontological leadership focuses on understanding and transforming the way leaders “be” in their roles, rather than just what they do.
It emphasizes self-awareness, presence, and authenticity, encouraging leaders to explore their values, beliefs, and attitudes. This approach helps leaders to create meaningful relationships and environments that foster trust, innovation, and effective communication.
It’s grounded in the idea that who we are as individuals deeply influences how we lead. This involves exploring our inner beliefs, emotions, and perceptions to understand how they shape our behavior and interactions with others.
Presence in ontological leadership is about being fully aware and engaged in the moment, both with yourself and others. It’s not just physical presence but emotional and mental as well. Leaders with strong presence can connect more authentically with their team, create trust, and inspire others.
Ontological leadership emphasizes that a leader’s ****authentic influence arises from a leader’s presence, self-awareness, and alignment with their core values.
Leaders who practice ontological leadership cultivate a deep understanding of their own beliefs, emotions, and attitudes. This self-awareness enables them to act consistently and with integrity, which in turn builds trust and credibility with their teams. By being authentic and transparent, these leaders create an environment where others feel valued and empowered.
Additionally, ontological leaders recognize the power of their language and communication. They use it intentionally to inspire, motivate, and build connections. This thoughtful use of language helps shape the culture and dynamics within their organizations, enhancing their overall influence.
The ontology of leader and leadership examines what is perceived, felt, and thought when one is being a leader. When an ontological model is applied to leadership, the actual nature of leader and leadership is made accessible and the source of action needed for one to be an effective leader is also made available.
Ontology can make available to the learner who they see themselves to be, how they show up in the world and how the world shows up for them.
Our approach is Design Thinking
The design thinking approach to personal change applies the principles of design thinking to the process of personal development and transformation. It involves a creative, iterative process focused on understanding oneself deeply, exploring possibilities, and experimenting with new behaviors and strategies. Here’s a brief overview:
- Empathize: Start by gaining a deep understanding of your own needs, desires, and challenges. Reflect on your experiences, emotions, and motivations to uncover insights about your current state and areas for improvement.
- Define: Clearly articulate the specific personal challenges or goals you want to address. This involves identifying key issues and framing them in a way that guides your subsequent efforts.
- Ideate: Generate a wide range of ideas and possibilities for personal change. Think creatively about different strategies, behaviors, and approaches that could help you achieve your goals. Brainstorm without judgment to explore all potential options.
- Prototype: Experiment with small, low-risk actions and changes. These prototypes allow you to test new behaviors and strategies in real-life situations, providing valuable feedback and insights. This stage is about trying out different approaches and seeing what works best.
- Test: Evaluate the outcomes of your experiments and gather feedback. Reflect on what you’ve learned, making adjustments and refinements to your approach as needed. This iterative process helps you continuously improve and adapt your strategies for personal change.
By following these steps, the design thinking approach encourages a flexible, empathetic, and experimental mindset, fostering sustainable and meaningful personal growth.
The ontology of leader and leadership examines what is perceived, felt, and thought when one is being a leader. When an ontological model is applied to leadership, the actual nature of leader and leadership is made accessible and the source of action needed for one to be an effective leader is also made available.
Ontology can make available to the learner who they see themselves to be, how they show up in the world and how the world shows up for them.