Some say that people are born leaders. But more and more research is showing that leadership is actually a conscious skill – one that has to be acquired through higher levels of self-awareness, continuous learning and constant practice.
Those in positions of leadership have a profound influence on those around them – how they feel, how they behave, how they grow. That’s why, at On, we want to help build conscious, adaptive leaders – leaders who, in this landscape of increasing change and complexity, can help build an environment of trust and coherence; one that fosters innovation, creativity, performance and motivation. We believe that the most powerful way of doing this is by viewing leadership as a partnership; by developing trust and ensuring people have the autonomy and accountability they need in order to flourish.
Making a real difference
From the responsibility we give to interns, to the way we provide people with the ‘blank sheet of paper’ they need to realise their dreams, this idea of partnership has always influenced our actions. And it’s played a vital part in our growth. Because we ask everyone to take on responsibility and ownership, whatever their role. This approach naturally creates leaders. And as people take their first steps on that adventure, we want to equip them with the tools they need to focus on their own growth. Inseparable from leadership development, this self-development is key when it comes to building a high performing team. The most effective high performing teams work on the principle that leadership is not just about how we advance ourselves though, but how we advance the team. Therefore, leaders have to be adaptable, while also being able to create an inclusive space of psychological safety in which their teams, and the Team Spirit, can grow. Because there’s a big difference between being “in charge” and being a leader. And that’s why we’ve created School of Leaders.
The School of Leaders
Critical to our continued journey, this initiative has been specifically designed to provide our leaders with the opportunities they need to grow, learn, practice and collaborate with peers. At the very heart of it all are our Spirits, the values that have shaped our culture from the very beginning. Through the Spirits, and the behaviors associated with them, people can live and practice On’s leadership philosophy.
"School of Leaders empowers leaders at On to drive innovation, foster collaboration and cultivate healthy, high-performing teams. From collaborative peer-to-peer cohorts to flexible, self-paced modules – our offerings reflect the diverse learning styles of the leaders we support." – Fatima Umer, Learning & Development Senior Specialist
A shared vision
To ensure the program's long-lasting impact, we've worked with experts to prepare a wide range of bespoke content – content expressly designed to inspire and motivate. These same specialists will also be hosting sessions, kicking-off discussions and sharing insights on what it takes to succeed as a leader. Another important differentiation is that School of Leaders is not split into leadership levels – it’s not driven by any form of hierarchy. We want to make sure all our future leaders focus on what they require most at this specific moment. Therefore, after discussing their needs with their managers, they’re responsible for choosing their own path – the path best suited to them.
For the future
Determined to make a positive difference, we’re doing all this because we believe that the world needs leaders; people prepared to embody the Explorer Spirit, step into the unknown and push forward. Because we don’t just want to develop great products, we also want to build great leaders. There’s no end date to this commitment either, so we hope you'll join us along the way.