Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Leading with Wisdom: Development of an Integral Model Sharda Nandram & Margot Borden SPES Conference Leading with Wisdom April, Groenendaal, The Netherlands

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Introduction Types of leadership models The integral leadership model Application of Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga Philosophy A forum for new forms of leadership

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Introduction Sharda Nandram & Margot Borden Academic leadership models as the starting point Ethical crisis in business and it’s critical impact on ecology and economy Need for more than just incremental changes Integral Philosophy proposes a paradigm shift

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France The Paradigm Shift Current business climate is an ego- based or win-lose mode of functioning Crisis is multi dimensional - with economic, ecological and ethical dimensions Changing models could not only provide the solution to our crisis but also long term & sustainable vision.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Is the business world ready for it? The increasing amount of corporate scandals lead us to the conclusion that material wealth as our main drive doesn’t lead to sustainable business practices in respect to people and planet

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Is the business world ready? Widespread trend toward corporate social responsibility Conscious consumerism Dow Jones Dharma Index Hundreds of online forums and newsletters inform the public, responding to and creating demand for change

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Is society ready for it? Strong trend at the individual level toward conscious consumerism for example Cultural Creatives: In the Netherlands there are 1.6 million Cultural Creatives (source: MarketResponse) in Europe about 80 million in North America about 50 million

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Leadership = Impact Current business practices have a direct or indirect impact on most of the planet The corporation is one of the single most powerful forms of entity on the planet in terms of resources and power to influence Leaders hold the power to make influential decisions at all levels of the corporation The challenge we all face, is that this power that can be used to either uplift or exploit humanity

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Two main categories First, leadership by compliance and obedience. Here the individual has to adhere to the rules of their hierarchy, the company and the government. Second, leadership by inspiration and upliftment, where the individual is inspired to contribute to the goals of the organization with passion and creativity.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Leadership by compliance Need models Human behavioral models Cognitive models Effectiveness models

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Leadership by upliftment and inspiration Aspiration to uplift, unify toward realization of higher potentials Harnesses individuals’ inherent drive toward evolution & transcendence

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Leadership by inspiration & upliftment Transformational, charismatic, Servant Leadership models Spiritual Leadership models (Fry, Broekstra)

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Servant-Leadership ‘To lead, one has to serve’ Genuine concern for needs of followers (as opposed to getting followers to engage in organizational objectives) Follower-centered More adapted to static environment Harnesses individuals’ drive toward evolution

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Transformational Leadership / Charismatic Leadership The Four ‘I’s: Idealized influence (Charisma) Inspirational motivation Individual consideration Intellectual stimulation Organization centered More adapted to dynamic environment Harnesses individuals’ drive toward evolution

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Love & faith Spirituality poses framework for organizational values Connectedness unleashes natural compassion & joy motivating & inspiring employees in their work and attitudes Harnesses individuals’ drive toward evolution & transcendence Spiritual Model (Fry)

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Deep Leadership (Broekstra) From Doing to Being Intentional values Alter-intentional values

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Conclusion about the models Each model addresses a part or parts of the bigger picture Though they address intrinsic motivation, personal values and universal values of Love and Compassion, they may not be appropriate in every leadership context While the qualities evoked are quintessential human qualities associated with spirituality and upliftment they do not necessarily make a leader in and of themselves

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France The Integral Leadership model Integral Leadership (Aurobindo / Wilber) Uplifts and inspires individuals to achieve their individual and collective potential Unity in diversity Meta-model that envelops and transcends existing models Transformation from ego centered to soul- centered functioning (paradigm shift or shift in axis of functioning as opposed to making incremental changes from the outer self).

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Sri Aurobindo’s view Integral Yoga Philosophy is based on the realization that consciousness is multi- dimensional. We can build deeper more congruent relationship with all parts of ourselves: Outer self (body, mind and emotions) Inner Self (Soul & Spirit) Nature Society

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France The Integral Leadership model o Traditional science looks at phenomena in isolation and from a purely material perspective while the integral approach seeks to develop a holistic view in order to understand all the levels and the underlying oneness in which everything participates.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Sri Aurobindo’s view While integral yoga can be explored from a theoretical perspective it goes way beyond a conceptual way of knowing that consciousness is multi-dimensional This aspect can only be grasped through direct, inner experience which leads to perception and then realization

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Integral Yoga Philosophy Yoga is defined as any approach which leads to unity with the indwelling source of truth and meaning Yoga is the main tool for cultivating an integral approach insofar as it comprises many paths and techniques aimed at helping individuals achieve consciousness of the Oneness beyond all outer appearances Integral yoga is not a single path or technique. Each individual determines his own, unique path according to his nature and level of evolution.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Sri Aurobindo’s view The practitioner evolves in consciousness and deepens their relationship to their ‘inner being’ or soul. Ultimately, Integral Yoga gives us the vision and means for bringing our ‘inner being’ to the forefront, aligning our attitudes, thoughts, words and actions to our inner being.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Sri Aurobindo’s view Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Philosophy does not propose a model in itself but rather the philosophical underpinnings that have the potential to create a foundation and common ground for all models of leadership that aspire to uplifting humanity and helping us to achieve our individual and collective (organizational) potential.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Consortium for New Leadership Sri Aurobindo’s view is not just a leadership model in itself. It also has the potential to create an organizing framework many leadership models while respecting the diversity of each one. Therefore we propose the creation of a new leadership consortium, with Integral Philosophy as a meta-model in which each school has its unique place.

Dr. Sharda Nandram, the Netherlands Margot Borden, Paris, France Sharda Nandram Margot Esther Borden