ECI’s Changemaking Leadership Framework
Leadership is a profound responsibility and can be a transformative force for good.
At the Excellence in Changemaking Institute (ECI), our Changemaking Leadership framework is a dynamic, values-driven approach that empowers leaders and organizations to transform their vision into action and action into enduring legacies of social progress. Changemaking leadership inspires others to join in creating a freer and more just world, balancing the idealism needed to imagine it and the pragmatism requires to achieve it.
Changemakers are committed to ECI’s core changemaking leadership principles of:
Values-driven leadership: Leaders must anchor their decisions and actions in their core values and organizational mission. By prioritizing justice, compassion, and democracy, changemaking leaders inspire trust and foster inclusive cultures.
Systems thinking and interconnectedness: Changemaking leadership acknowledges the interconnected nature of systems, organizations, and communities. Leaders are equipped to identify root causes of challenges, address structural inequities, and create solutions that benefit the whole.
Collaboration and collective impact: True progress comes through collective power. Our framework emphasizes the importance of collaboration, leveraging diverse perspectives and fostering environments where every voice contributes to a shared mission.
Resilience and healing in leadership: Leaders must develop the capacity to adapt to challenges while sustaining themselves and their teams. Changemaking leadership incorporates practices of self-care, reflection, and emotional intelligence to maintain momentum in difficult circumstances.
Inclusive and democratic practices: Effective changemakers prioritize participatory decision-making and ensure diverse voices are included in shaping organizational strategies and solutions. Leadership rooted in democracy strengthens accountability, transparency, and our democracy more broadly.
Joy as a leadership practice: Joy fuels resilience and creativity. Changemaking leaders celebrate wins, foster positive environments, and approach their work with a contagious hope and optimism that can sustain long-term engagement and motivation.
ECI’s Changemaking Core Values
Justice
Changemakers address systemic inequities, striving for fairness and justice in every aspect of their work.
Compassion
Changemakers are driven by the need to alleviate the suffering of others, fueled by solidarity and a commitment to shared humanity. Compassion also includes self-compassion, recognizing that honoring shared humanity begins within. True compassion coexists with accountability and never excuses harmful behavior but instead seeks to address and heal its root causes.
Joy
Changemakers understand that joy is a transformative force and cultivate a culture of gratitude and positivity that inspires others to lead with purpose, care, and solidarity. At the same time, joy is grounded in accountability and never used to bypass the responsibility of addressing difficult challenges.
Collaboration
Changemakers recognize that progress is a shared endeavor, built through collaboration that values diverse perspectives and collective strengths. They cultivate partnerships rooted in trust, mutual respect, and shared goals, knowing that working together amplifies impact.
Resilience
In a rapidly changing world, changemakers embrace continuous learning and adaptability and equip themselves with restorative and reflective tools to remain grounded and effective in the face of challenges.
Changemakers uphold the principles of democracy by fostering inclusive participation, shared decision-making, and transparency. They create spaces where diverse voices are heard and respected, building systems that reflect collective needs and aspirations. Their leadership contributes to strengthening our democracy more broadly.
Democracy
Interconnectedness
Changemakers embrace interconnectedness by recognizing the deep interdependence of individuals, communities, and ecosystems. They lead with awareness of how actions ripple across social, environmental, and economic systems, striving for solutions that honor these connections. Interconnectedness fosters both humility and accountability, reminding us that our well-being is tied to the well-being of others and the world we share.
ECI Changemaking Leadership Competencies
1. Changemaking Self-Leadership
Self-Awareness and Reflection: Cultivate a deep understanding of your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values through mindful reflection and regular feedback.
Resilience through Restoration: Build mental, emotional, and physical resilience through practices that prioritize self-care and balance, sustaining long-term leadership.
Emotional Intelligence: Develop compassion and emotional regulation to build stronger interpersonal relationships and manage stress effectively.
Continuous Growth and Self-Improvement: Embrace a growth mindset, fostering lifelong learning, adaptability, and personal development.
Self-Compassion: Practice kindness toward yourself, especially during times of failure or struggle, recognizing the importance of restorative self-care and emotional well-being in sustaining leadership.
Self-Accountability: Commit to taking responsibility for both mistakes and successes, fostering humility and a strong ethical foundation in your leadership actions.
2. Values-Driven, Pragmatic Leadership
Purpose-Driven Motivation: Inspire and mobilize others by articulating a clear and compelling vision rooted in shared values and mission.
Values-Aligned Decision-Making that Bridges Idealism and Pragmatism: Make decisions that are consistent with one’s core values and organizational mission that balance big-picture goals with practical, actionable strategies that achieve meaningful, long-term change while addressing immediate needs.
Morally-Grounded, Ethical Leadership: Model integrity and ethical behavior, including the ethical use of power, and inspire others to do the same, operating from a foundation of integrity, courage, compassion, justice, accountability, transparency, and equity..
Collective Liberation and Justice: Lead with a commitment to dismantling systems of oppression, advocating for equity and justice across social, political, ecological, and economic dimensions.
3. Collaborative Leadership
Trust-Based Relationship Building: Prioritize building deep, trusting relationships that create a foundation for collaboration success and shared leadership.
Collaborative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Effectively facilitate collaborative efforts where diverse voices are heard and respected, fostering a democratic culture of co-creation where collective intelligence drives solutions.
Conflict Management and Resolution: Address and resolve conflicts constructively by facilitating open dialogue, compassion, and mutual understanding.
Interpersonal Communication: Cultivate trust and open dialogue, using active listening and compassionate communication skills.
Influence and Negotiation: Lead collaboratively by finding common ground and fostering cooperation even amidst differing perspectives.
Empowering Others: Delegate authority and provide support, enabling team members to take ownership and initiative.
4. Systems Thinking and Strategic Action
Holistic Analysis: Understand and analyze the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic systems to identify root causes of issues.
Strategic Planning for Social Impact: Develop and implement strategies that align with organizational values and drive systemic change.
Adaptive Leadership: Navigate and lead through change and uncertainty with flexibility and resilience.
Innovative Problem-Solving: Encourage creativity and experimentation to develop effective solutions to complex challenges.
Sustainable Decision-Making: Consider the long-term impacts of decisions on communities and ecosystems, ensuring actions contribute to enduring positive change.
5. Transformational Organizational Leadership
Visionary Leadership: Develop and communicate a compelling vision for the organization that inspires and mobilizes teams toward a shared future.
Change Management: Lead through complex change by addressing both emotional and operational challenges, ensuring smooth transitions and sustained progress.
Inclusive People Management: Empower and support a diverse workforce by creating workplace environments where people can thrive and grow.
Strategic Execution: Translate vision into actionable strategies, aligning teams and resources to achieve organizational goals effectively and sustainably.
Joy as a Transformational Experience: Foster an organizational culture where joy is embraced as a key element of the workplace experience for increased fulfillment, positivity, creativity, collaboration, and overall organizational effectiveness.
6. Community and Ecosystem Engagement
Cultural Competence and Humility: Engage with diverse cultures respectfully and effectively, acknowledging and valuing different perspectives.
Building Community Partnerships: Establish and nurture trust-based relationships with community stakeholders to collaborate on shared objectives.
Advocacy and Social Mobilization: Champion causes and mobilize resources to address systemic injustices and further progress.
Environmental Stewardship: Recognize and act upon the interdependence between human systems and natural ecosystems, promoting sustainability.
Interconnectedness Awareness: Lead with a fundamental understanding of the interdependence of individuals, communities, and ecosystems, striving for solutions that honor these connections.
7. Innovation and Disruption to the Status Quo
Productive Disruption: Challenge the status quo with a realistic analysis of power and drive innovation through creative thinking, risk-taking, and a willingness to disrupt outdated systems to create new ones.
Creative Problem-Solving: Approach complex problems with flexibility and creativity, developing innovative solutions that are both pragmatic and forward-thinking while centering joy and solidarity with and care for those affected by the solutions.
Futurism and Strategic Foresight: Leverage futurist thinking to anticipate emerging trends and societal shifts, using strategic foresight to proactively shape the future, adapt to disruptions, and foster innovation that aligns with long-term goals.
8. Developing More Values-Driven, Changemaking Leaders
Mentorship and Coaching: Provide guidance and support to emerging leaders, fostering their growth and preparing them for future leadership roles.
Leadership Pathways Development: Build inclusive pathways for leadership that identify and cultivate diverse talent, ensuring a sustained pipeline of changemaking leaders.
Legacy Building: Focus on long-term impact by creating systems, practices, and a culture that continues to thrive and evolve after your leadership tenure.
*At ECI, we use the term 'diverse' to broadly and inclusively encompass underrepresented and often overlooked groups. This includes, but is not limited to, women, people of color, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, individuals from rural areas, first-generation college graduates or those without college experience, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, immigrants and refugees, survivors of violence, people from low-income backgrounds, religious minorities, the formerly incarcerated, and others whose lived experiences and identities enrich our collective understanding.
Our programs and services are transformative for all, intentionally centering those at the margins and challenging dominant leadership paradigms and traditional approaches to leadership development.