Authentic Leadership in Action is a transformational journey of learning, growth, and skill-building that leads to the profound renewal of our organizations and communities.

What exactly is authentic leadership and where does it come from? Although it may be hard to define, most of us know it when we see it. We recognize it in personal examples, whether it is an historical figure, our minister, our CEO, a neighbourhood grandmother, or a politician who is truly inspiring. And we recognize it in our own best moments. When we are authentically present and true to our own internal compass, we are able to bring out the best in others. We are able to communicate without pretense and manipulation because we are not hiding behind ego or driven by fear. We are confident because we trust in the natural intelligence and goodness in ourselves and others. Seeing clearly what is and what could be, we are able to act decisively and effectively.

In today's world, authentic leadership is like a breath of fresh air. And it is needed everywhere. We are all being called to rise to this challenge, whatever our position or domain of work. 

As we move forward with this inspiration, we encounter some key questions: How do we go beyond habits of fear and limiting assumptions? How do we align our compass and strengthen our core presence so that it shines even in the midst of difficulty and uncertainty? How do we release the potential that already exists in the people and situations around us, rather than resorting to control and manipulation? These aren't lessons we usually learn at business school or in most leadership programs and seminars. We need strategies and toolkits that are aligned with an authentic way of being, and with an authentic way of empowering others and achieving our goals.

The ALIA Institute began as the week-long Shambhala Summer Institute, which has convened annually in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since 2001. Early thinking partners and faculty included Peter Senge, Margaret Wheatley, Juanita Brown, Toke Moeller, Marianne Knuth, Art Kleiner, and a team of professional artists and senior meditation teachers in the Shambhala tradition. The leadership-development model developed by the Institute blends intensive skill-building modules facilitated by pioneers in their fields, mindfulness meditation, creative process, and plenary dialogues. This blend has proven to be more successful and impactful than even the founders had anticipated. The Summer Institute has strengthened the leadership of thousands of people around the world and has resulted in countless new collaborations.

While the Shambhala Summer Institute will continue this tradition, in 2009 we are also setting sail under the banner of ALIA to three new locations, with the intention of working with regional partners to host programs that will spark and support regional place-based networks. We also aspire to develop a virtual campus that will connect these regional nodes and make ALIA's resources and community more universally available.

The ALIA Institute is an independent nonprofit organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. The Shambhala Summer Institute is incorporated under the Nalanda Foundation, a charitable organization in Canada and the United States.

Governing Council

Phil Cass (Chair)
Claudia Chender
Michael Chender (Founding Chair)
Aftab Erfan
Chris Grant
Matt Habash
Mark Hazell
Marty Janowitz
John Roy
Susan Skjei
Sera Thompson

Staff

Susan Szpakowski (Exec. Dir.)
Karen Densmore
Gabrielle Donnelly
Cara Lynn Garvock
Glenna Jeffers
Nicola Parker
Ryan Watson
Barbara Zielinski