What is Perpetual Calibre Development™ (PCD)?
Perpetual Calibre Development™ (PCD) is a unique professional growth process designed to strengthen the core of who you are as a leader - your Calibre - rather than simply upskilling your Capability or Competencies.
IOWL created PCD as a structured, measurable way for professionals to evidence their leadership character, integrity, and positive values through proven practice. Unlike CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and its global variants, such as CPE (Continuing Professional Education), CE (Continuing Education), and CTD (Continuing Technical Development), which all centre on technical expertise and skills, PCD is all about ensuring that your leadership is built on a stable foundation of sound judgement, ethics, authenticity, and responsible stewardship - those qualities that prevent mis-leadership and encourage Positive Value Leadership™.
Unlike traditional CPD, which focuses on skill and knowledge, PCD™ prioritises the never-ending cultivation of integrity, ethics, judgement, and responsibility, the Positive Values that truly shape ethical leadership and personal performance.
By undertaking Positive Value Leadership™ (PVL™) courses and initiatives, you evidence this commitment - earning Calibre Credits™ for every milestone you achieve.
Why is PCD different?
Traditional CPD assumes capability and competency are enough, that skill and knowledge alone make a good leader. But, as we have seen across industries worldwide, this is not the case. Knowledge and skill without integrity, self-awareness, or ethical courage can lead to disastrous outcomes. This is precisely why PCD exists - to balance the Leadership Stool™ by developing Calibre alongside capability and competency.
PCD™ exists to ensure that Calibre is never overlooked - it integrates character development into leadership practice. Every Calibre Credit™ awarded is a recognition of your commitment to becoming a leader whose decisions reflect authenticity, empathy, and long-term responsibility.
How are PCD Calibre Credits awarded?
IOWL awards PCD Calibre Credits™ through the Global Institute for Calibre and Integrity™, recognising your progression along the Positive Value Leadership™ journey:
- PVL Capstone Course – Highest award level
- PVL Keystone Course – Significant award level
- PVL Foundation Course – Core award level
- PVL Bedrock and Basal Courses – Entry-level award level
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
PCD is a professional development process created by the Institute of One World Leadership (IOWL) that measures and improves the Calibre of leaders - their character, integrity, and ethical judgement - not just their technical skills or competencies.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) focuses on acquiring new skills and knowledge - the what you can do of leadership. PCD, by contrast, develops your leadership character and integrity - the who you are as a leader. PCD Calibre Credits reflect your commitment to Positive values-based Leadership and go beyond traditional skill-building.
Without Calibre, skills and competencies can be misapplied or even harmful. Calibre - your integrity, honesty, empathy, and accountability - is the stable leg that holds up the leadership stool™. PCD exists to balance the traditional focus on Capability and Competency, ensuring you have the inner strength to use your skills responsibly.
Perpetual Calibre Development (PCD) is a transformative, positive values-based approach to cultivating leadership character and integrity alongside skills. PCD supports a deeper commitment to personal and professional excellence by reinforcing Positive Value Leadership and Integrous Leadership behaviours. It enables professionals to grow consciously and continuously - moving beyond short-term skills updates - to embody sustainable, responsible leadership that earns trust, drives meaningful impact, and meets the expectations of a rapidly evolving world.
PCD is for professionals and leaders across all sectors who want to build their character as well as their competencies. Organisations, industries, and professional bodies can also integrate PCD into their leadership and development frameworks to ensure leaders demonstrate authentic values alongside their technical expertise. Unlike traditional CPD schemes that focus mostly on skills, PCD empowers people at every career stage to align their decisions and actions with enduring Positive Values - ensuring the integrity of leadership reaches far beyond formal requirements.
You earn PCD Calibre Credits by successfully completing IOWL's Positive Value Leadership (PVL) courses. The higher the level of the course you complete - from Basal and Bedrock up to Foundation, Keystone, and Capstone - the more CCD points you receive. You can also attain Calibre Credits for the quality of your leadership impact and evidence of growth Calibrous growth.
Yes. PCD and Calbre Credits are awarded exclusively by IOWL and its Global Institute for Calibre and Integrity. The certification carries international credibility as part of IOWL's commitment to developing integrous leaders for a globalised world.
Your PCD Calibre Credits are valid for as long as you continue your commitment to self-development through IOWL's PVL programmes and other approved initiatives. It's recommended to continuously grow Calibre as part of your lifelong leadership journey, and to undertake new learning or participate in events that enable attainment of further Calibre Credits
No. PCD is a trademarked term and standard developed by IOWL. Only IOWL - via the Global Institute for Calibre and Integrity - is licensed to award PCD certification and Calbre Credits.
Participants can accumulate Calibre Credits™ as a tangible record of their Perpetual Calibre Development™, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Positive Values that set them apart as truly Integrous Leaders™.
PCD Complements and Cements, Capability and Competency
Perpetual Calibre Development™ (PCD) is Transformation not training. PCD™ is IOWL'’s continuous process for cultivating leadership character, integrity, and Positive Values.
PCD ensures capability and competency are grounded in Calibre - creating responsible, principled individuals and leaders who drive sustainable success with positive impact.
| Feature |
PCD (Perpetual Calibre Development) (Calibre - Transformation) |
Academic Credit (Capability - Education) |
Cont. Prof. Development (Competency - Training) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Developing leadership and personal calibre - character, ethics, and values - alongside knowledge and skills (Capability and Competency) | Developing subject-specific knowledge and theoretical understanding | Developing professional knowledge, skills, and competencies |
| Approach | Continuous personal and professional transformation focused on integrity, self-awareness, and responsible leadership | Structured curriculum with formal assessment and grading | Structured, skills-oriented learning |
| Alignment | Driven by the individual's commitment to personal calibre and lifelong leadership impact | Aligned with national or institutional qualification frameworks (e.g., QCF, ECTS) | Often driven by industry or regulatory requirements |
| Points / Accreditation | PCD Calibre Credits awarded exclusively by IOWL’s Global Institute for Calibre and Integrity | Academic credits awarded (e.g., ECTS, QAA levels, GPA) | CPD points awarded by various professional bodies |
| Learning Scope | Deep cultivation of Positive Values, Calibre, and ethical judgement for sustainable leadership & performance | Acquisition of conceptual, technical, or professional knowledge | Technical skill updates, keeping knowledge up to date |
| Timeframe | Perpetual and ongoing - measured across one’s career and character evolution | Fixed duration (term, semester, or module-based) | Typically measured annually or per course attended |
| Outcome | Calibre-based leaders who embody integrity, inspire trust, and lead responsibly and consciously | Certified graduates with formal qualifications | Competent, skilled professionals who meet industry standards |
| Benefits for Individuals | Develops ethical strength, personal authenticity, and lasting leadership credibility | Subject-matter expertise and academic credibility | Maintains competency and industry relevance |
| Benefits for Organisations | Organisations gain principled, resilient leaders who drive long-term success and positive impact | Certified talent pipeline with verifiable qualifications | Staff meet skill standards and technical performance targets |
| Exclusive Provider | IOWL is the sole creator and custodian of the PCD certification and Continuous Calibre Development process | Accredited institutions (e.g., universities, colleges) | Offered by multiple bodies across sectors |
| Long-term Impact | Creates transformative leaders & individuals whose decisions uplift people, organisations, and society in the long term | Provides qualifications that open formal career and academic pathways | Improves skills and productivity in the short to medium term |
PCD Awards Calibre Credits™ - 'Principles' to 'ground' the use of Points and Proficiency.
| Feature | Calibre Credits™ | Academic Credit | Cont. Prof. Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Calibre + Transformation | Capability (Knowledge/Theory) | Competency (Skills/Experience) |
| Assessed by | Knowledge + Reflection + PVL Authenticity | Exams, Assignments, Attendance | Time logged, certificates, workshops |
| Awarding Conditions | Must pass MCQs and demonstrate personal transformation | Pass module with minimum academic performance | Often awarded automatically for attendance |
| Failing Reflection Impact | Up to 25% deduction, may reduce total Calibre Credits | No reflection considered — academic output only | Rarely affects outcome |
| Real-World Application | Direct link to ethical, emotional, and societal leadership | Theory or technical qualification, not always leadership-based | Broad and generic — often divorced from values |
| Currency for Career Growth | Signals inner Calibre and trustworthiness | Used to access qualifications or visa requirements | May be required for profession, but lacks depth |
| Perpetual Progression? | Yes — forms part of Perpetual Calibre Development™ | No — fixed qualifications with expiry/diminishing relevance | Sometimes — but rarely structured or transformative |
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If you believe in the power of leadership with calibre and integrity, we invite you to be part of this movement. Together, we can shape the future of leadership—one defined by excellence, accountability, and ethical responsibility.
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