OWLs - Institute of One World Leadership - Disadvantaged Young Leaders Programme

Integrous Leadership Calibre Framework™ (ICF)

At IOWL, we believe that true leadership rests on the firm foundation of Calibre — an unwavering commitment to Positive Values and integrity in every action.

The Integrous Leadership Calibre Framework™ (ICF) is the cornerstone of our Calibre Development Triad™ (CDT). It defines the enduring qualities and Positive Values that set a Positive Value Leader apart — guiding decisions, behaviours, and impact across cultures, sectors, and generations.

What is the ICF?

The ICF articulates the core attributes that all One World Leaders must exemplify to earn trust, inspire followership, and serve society with purpose and principle. It maps the positive inner architecture of Calibre — combining character, integrity, empathy, and moral courage — into a practical and measurable leadership compass.

Academic and Experiential underpinning of the ICF

Built into the ICF is a cyclical and rigorous process to ensure every Positive Value Leadership™ course — across Foundation, Keystone, and Capstone tiers — is underpinned by interdisciplinary insights that contribute meaningfully to a leader’s character development, drawing upon:

Philosophy – Exploring ethics, logic, and the principles that guide integrous decision-making.
Psychology – Understanding behaviour, motivation, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal dynamics.
Sociology – Examining social structures, group dynamics, and cultural influences on leadership practice.
Anthropology – Learning from diverse cultural traditions and human societies to enhance cross-cultural leadership capacity.
Political Sciences – Investigating governance, policy-making, power structures, and their impact on leadership integrity.
Education – Applying teaching, coaching, and developmental principles to cultivate future leaders.
Human Geography – Studying the relationship between people, place, environment, and leadership strategies across regions.
Ethics – Establishing the moral foundations that support principled leadership and just decision-making.
History – Drawing lessons from past leadership challenges and successes to inform present practice.
Law – Understanding legal frameworks and regulatory environments that define responsible leadership practice.
Economics – Applying economic reasoning, resource management, and incentive design to leadership contexts.
Communication Studies – Developing effective messaging, dialogue, active listening, and cross-cultural communication skills.
Neuroscience – Understanding the biology of leadership behaviours, stress management, empathy, and motivation.
Cultural Studies – Exploring the role of tradition, belief systems, and worldviews in shaping leadership styles and values.
Environmental Science – Embracing sustainability, stewardship, and the leadership responsibility to protect ecosystems.
Management Science – Applying data-driven insights and process improvements to enhance leadership effectiveness and decision-making.

This interdisciplinary process ensures our courses go beyond traditional knowledge and skill-building — shaping leaders equipped for diverse cultural, ethical, and social challenges.

This global and interdisciplinary strength is further reinforced by our International Advisory Council (IAC) - a body of over 300 experts from every country and discipline, who act as stewards of the Institute's mission. IAC members contribute specialist insights in their disciplines and areas of academic expertise, helping shape IOWL programmes that are not only academically robust, but globally attuned and ethically grounded.

Why it matters

In an age of rapid change and moral complexity, capability and competency alone cannot ensure responsible leadership. Only Calibre — grounded in enduring Positive Values — can prevent the erosion of trust, unethical practices, and short-termism that compromise sustainable progress. The ICF empowers leaders to cultivate this calibre intentionally and continuously.

Framework Structure

Core Positive Values: Probity, Potency, Planet, People, Perception, and Participation — six Exemplars that shape a leader’s inner compass.
Measurable Statements: A set of behavioural indicators that demonstrate the consistent practice of these values in thought, speech, and action.
Development Pathways: Targeted strategies — including mentoring, reflective practice, and experiential learning — to help leaders embody these attributes at ever greater levels.

Part of the Calibre Development Triad™

The ICF is one of the three pillars of our Calibre Development Triad™ (CDT) — working in tandem with the Perpetual Calibre Development™ (PCD) and Curriculum Assurance Framework™ (CCF). Together, they provide a 360º system to help leaders grow beyond skill and expertise into enduring character, integrity, and global stewardship.

Next Steps

Contact Us to discover how your organisation can integrate the Integrous Leadership Calibre Framework™ into leadership programmes, assessments, and succession planning.

Quick Overview

The Integrous Leadership Calibre Framework™ (ICF) codifies the Positive Values that underlie integrous leadership. It equips leaders to navigate complexity with courage, compassion, and unwavering integrity.