The Institute of One World Leadership is the World's only professional membership organisation for today's and tomorrow's leaders, in business, public service, and social spheres.

The impact of Leadership affects us all; the footprint of Leadership permeates throughout time and society. History is littered with examples of Leaders with good intent and others intent on malice; but the common trait of all effective leaders is the ability to inspire and acquire a following.

Leadership isn't just confined to the workplace, yet this is where most novice leaders cut their teeth, Leaders have the potential to change the world from humble beginnings.

We promote the adoption of Positive Value Leadership™ and develop Leaders who are an exemplar to society and a catalyst for the adoption of social change for the benefit of all humanity.

We will continue to develop and support internationally minded Leaders who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world through strong, positive Leadership.

A One World Leader, is a person who has successfully achieved assessment against the One World Leadership, "Positive Value Leadership" map, which indicates how effective they are as an exemplar to society and a catalyst for the adoption of positive change (commercial, economic, social or political) for the benefit of all humanity.

The Values against which they are assessed, demonstrate they possess Probity; Potency; a Participatory approach to work; an outstanding way with people (employees, peers, stakeholders); a perceptive ability that creates insight; and an attitude which ensures sustainability of business relationships, social responsibility, environmental concern, and cultural cognisance.

Members of OWL must be in, or aspiring to hold, a position of power*, authority or responsibility. The position could be one in a work environment, private or public sector; in social, voluntary or community circles; political or governmental spheres.

* Positions of power include, but are not limited to, Reward Power, Coercive Power, Referent Power, Legitimate Power, Expert Power, Informational Power.

Membership of OWLs is tiered and aligns with the depth of evidence and experience an individual has demonstrated in using Positive Value Leadership.

Affiliate membership

Affiliate membership is assigned to an individual who is not yet in a leadership position, but who is aspiring to attain a position of power*, authority or responsibility. The position could be one in a work environment, private or public sector; in social, voluntary or community circles; political or governmental spheres.

Alternatively, affiliate membership is available if a person is already in a leadership position but has not yet successfully completed the IOWL Positive Value Leadership assessment.

Associate membership

Associate membership is assigned to an individual who has recently attained their first leadership role, or in the early stages of their first position of power*, authority or responsibility. The position could be one in a work environment, private or public sector; in social, voluntary or community circles; political or governmental spheres.

Alternatively, associate membership is available if a person is already in a leadership position but has not yet successfully demonstrated the depth of Positive Values required to attain professional membership.

Professional membership

Professional membership is awarded to an individual who has been in a leadership position, position of power*, authority or responsibility, for at least 2 years.

They have successfully demonstrated the depth of Positive Values required to attain professional membership.

Fellow membership - Fellowship

Fellow membership is awarded to an individual who has been in a leadership position, position of power*, authority or responsibility, for at least 5 years.

They have successfully demonstrated the depth of Positive Values, such that they are an exemplar to society and a catalyst for the adoption of positive change (commercial, economic, social or political) for the benefit of all humanity.

If you need to verify a candidate claim of OWL membership you can contact us directly. We will require the full name and membership number of the candidate. We will contact the candidate separately to inform them of your request, and to obtain their permission to release confirmation to you.

This serves to ensure the confidentiality of candidates information, while facilitating your request for verification.

Potential employees and managerial candidates are typically assessed on 3 main areas before appointment. These are

  1. Can they do they job?
    • Do they possess the business, technical and professional knowledge and skills?
    • What is their mix of personal skills, derived from personality, experience and training?
    • What Qualifications do they possess, e.g. business, technical, professional?
  2. Will they do the job?
    • Do they display the determination, tenacity and drive necessary to succeed in the role and achieve targets and objectives?
  3. Will they fit into the organisation?
    • Considering the existing culture of the business, will the person be a good fit?

These questions tend to be answered with evidence on the day, from questions during an interview or from observation at an assessment centre under controlled conditions. The foundation of a One World Leader is someone who maintains their values and behaviours in a consistent manner, regardless if under observation or not.

Membership of One World Leadership will be an indication of how a person has and will do a job. If you feel that the candidate possesses the areas outlined in 1 above, then their membership of OWLs is evidence of 2 and 3; traits which are incapable of being attained during interview.

We would therefore recommend that candidates possessing all 3 of the above, be considered in preference to those candidates who do not demonstrate all 3 areas.

Each tier of membership of OWL requires re-certification on a regular basis, e.g. 3 or 5 years. If a candidate has an expired membership, it can mean they have failed to re-certify, in which case their accreditation is no longer valid, and should not be stated on their CV.