Protreptic leadership
On the trail of regenerative leadership philosophy & life practice
As the regenerative movement steadily grows through practice and notably in the literature on the subject, it becomes increasingly important to clarify what is at stake in this sustainability version 2.0. In fields such as agriculture, forestry and architecture, the relationship appears relatively clear, involving issues such as climate challenges, global warming, habitat destruction, resource misuse, overconsumption of earth’s resources and a range of invitations to learn from nature, wildlife and plant life (e.g., biomimicry).
When it comes to work, culture and societal life in general, there is a call for a regenerative form of leadership about which it is still not entirely clear how it should be practiced and what it entails. Specifically, regarding organisational work environments and business management, both psychological and philosophical topics are discussed, such as well-being, resilience, engagement and resonance, among others. It typically involves an internal and intrinsic matter as well as a form of regenerative capacity (cf. Dr. Visser) and a sense of and interest in rebuilding and “crackling with the world” (cf. Rosa).
Given that much of the regenerative leadership literature that has emerged in the past decade revolves around a transformative shift in mindset and a consciousness-expanding approach to oneself, one’s closest colleagues and stakeholders and the external world in general, this training will work fundamentally with these concepts.
Note: This course is for danish-speaking participants
Target audience
This 10-day training program is aimed at leaders who want to make a difference; but are not yet entirely sure how. It targets leaders who have realised that the current way of leading the world fundamentally does not work; leaders who need reflective and challenging approaches to gain self-awareness and collective insight on how to make a difference, who are willing to “shake things up” for the better and who need to remove obstacles to do what is right.
The program invites leaders with a philosophical interest to join and provides leaders with a dialogic curiosity a range of needs-satisfying exercises and methods within this genre.
Module 1: Protreptic and regenerative leadership; Foundations and purpose
In this module, you will be introduced to protreptic philosophy, methodology and life practice. On this basis, you will learn to apply techniques and approaches derived from protreptic thought and gain clarity on the types of leadership associated with the protreptic approach and how they are connected. Thus, this module focuses on protreptic leadership version 2.0, linking to leadership themes such as transformation, resilience, well-being, compassion and more. The goal of the module is to provide a nuanced understanding of what characterises regenerative leadership when it is based on a protreptic foundation.
Module 2: The regenerative practice philosophy; poetics, ethics, rhetoric and politics
Since regenerative leadership can never stand alone and because protreptic thought has emerged from four practice-oriented philosophical disciplines, this module addresses regenerative leadership as creative (poetic), demanding (ethical), distinguishing (rhetorical) and balancing (political). All these aspects are intended to support participants in discovering, shaping and reflecting on their new roles, the prevailing ethos, significant discourse and reasonable contributions to the global community of the future. Thus, the inspirations from Aristotle form the basis for this module, which also covers topics such as formation, power and emotions.
Module 3: Regenerative resonance in the society of singularities
In this module, participants will engage with two influential sociological diagnoses by H. Rosa and A. Reckwitz. While Rosa is known for addressing themes such as acceleration, alienation and resonance, Reckwitz explores the contemporary society’s emphasis on the peculiar, the authentic and the unique. From the perspective of regenerative leadership, based on the protreptic foundation, processes of singularisation and the world’s fading away represent a culturalisation of the social and a loss of resonance axes, which calls for a radical regenerative engagement to be found.
Module 4: Regenerative engagement; Leadership capacity and moral maturity
In this module, we will work with J. Hardman’s “regenerative capacity index,” which maps the levels of moral maturity and ethical capacity in the internal, interpersonal and external work environments. Using Rosa’s 5 spheres of resonance (cf. Module 3), we will identify levels of alienation to aim at reestablishing “the lost crackle.” Dr. W. Visser’s studies on the six leadership capacities and fundamental focus areas necessary for practicing regenerative leadership will guide us in these foundational exercises.
Module 5: The regenerative refuge; existential leadership choices and personal being experiences
This final module in the program also serves as a springboard for the development and realisation of protreptic leadership with regenerative perspectives. It involves exploring a range of profound themes addressed by Camus, Sartre and Heidegger in the years following World War II, such as engagement, choice, absurdity, the call of being and more. At the same time, it consolidates the foundations of protreptic thought (Module 1), practice philosophy (Module 2), resonance & singularisation (Module 3) and regenerative capacity (Module 4), with a focus on further advancement.
Your benefits
- You will learn to practice protreptic philosophy, including techniques and methods in your leadership.
- You will gain insight into leading regenerative literature, particularly within the context of leadership.
- You will receive training in public speaking and dialogue, focusing on transformative breakthroughs and a sense of balance.
- You will clarify your ethical foundation, particularly in relation to role creation and political power dynamics.
- You will gain an understanding of contemporary sociological diagnoses, such as resonance and singularisation and learn to work with these concepts.
- You will learn to use the regenerative capacity index, focusing on organisational maturity and moral work environment.
- You will integrate six central characteristics of leadership, as outlined by Dr. W. Visser from Cambridge University.
- You will develop an understanding of alienation processes and forms of expression, and rediscover “the lost crackle” (cf. Rosa).
- You will become proficient in listening to “the voice of being,” sensing what is right and confronting absurdity; allowing courage to grow.
- You will become engaged with the regenerative paradigm and know how to make significant differences.
Training dates for group 1 (Spring 2024)
Module 1: January 24-25, 2024
Module 2: February 27-28, 2024
Module 3: March 20-21, 2024
Module 4: April 24-25, 2024
Module 5: May 22-23, 2024
