A Gift from

SLOVEnia to

the World

Insights

from the

AEIOU

Leaders





AEIOU

Leaders

from SLOVEnia

for a Brighter World

A leadership attitude stems from Leading based on the energy of AROHA:

an individual’s intimate, internal love, the comprehension of how leading with the

attitude to the world, life, obstacles, everything is interconnected,

and opportunities. The internal meaningful work to accomplish the energy of love,

world of a leader is mirrored in the organization’s mission, responsibility external world, in the development for the well-being of everyone, and EB:

of his or her relationships with on developing relationships, thus eco-systemic view on

co-workers, business partners, represent the five dimensions of interconnectedness,

and other stakeholders of the

conscious leadership

organization. Hence, relationships Why?

In order to facilitate understanding mutuality, and

are the first dimension of conscious of these five dimensions,the

interdependence,

leadership.

metaphor of the AEIOU of leadership The second dimension is the

is created. AEIOU is an acronym of IKIGAI:

understanding of one’s personal five powerful words that impart calling as well as the organization’s the timeless wisdom of indigenous meaning and

Nature, with pandemics, increasing goes far beyond the narrow

Conscious leaders complement their mission. A leader acts in line with peoples from five continents.

temperatures and frequent storms understanding of responsibility as knowledge of business with their mission,

these two pursuits and also lends Every instance of progress – also and floods, is firing clear warning being connected only to the material open-heartedness and broadness meaning to the work of his or her the shift to conscious leadership shots. There is no more denying resources of an organization.

of mind. The purpose of the AEIOU

OIKOS:

co-workers.

– begins with contemplating the that the actions of individuals and Conscious leaders are aware that alphabet is to open new dimensions responsibility for

Responsibility for the well-being necessary changes. When we convert organizations are in many cases they are also responsible for the of conscious leadership and thus to of everyone is the third dimension our thought into spoken word, it harmful to the planet.

emotional and spiritual development serve as a guide for managers who creating value for all,

of conscious leadership. It even gains power. Words are like base If we want to bequeath a planet of their employees, who should be wish to contribute to sustainable encompasses the responsibility for camps whence we can embark on

healthy, brimming with life, and see success through their actions.

UBUNTU:

with decent living conditions to our life on our planet.

the challenging paths that lie ahead.

descendants, we need to drastically meaning in their work. Such leaders Sonja Klopčič, the author of The AEIOU

trust-based

The fourth dimension of conscious Evolution into thinking and conscious transform the economy. I believe do not manage their organizations of Leadership

solely as business ventures, but relationships of

leadership is interconnectedness.

organizations requires that we build that this can only be done by

This also includes awareness of new base camps and find new words conscious leaders who, with their also as platforms for fulfilling their belonging and

interdependence and mutuality.

for them so that we can upgrade heart wide open, perceive the world mission and the mission of their co-creation.

Nothing is done in isolation, but the alphabet of leading with a new as a unified whole. Leaders who employees, and thereby contribute rather every action also affects outlook on the quest of leaders.

see their role in the wider context to the welfare of the community.

others.

Aroha – Eb – Ikigai – Oikos – Ubuntu.

and are aware that their decisions They know that their responsibility Five words with their corresponding directly affect the quality of many extends far beyond the limits of the And the fifth dimension of conscious initials A, E, I, O and U constitute people’s lives. Such perception organizations they manage.

leadership is leading with the energy of love towards everything and a new structure of conscious

everyone. Love is expressed with leadership. Aroha comes from New respect, encouragement, support, Zealand, Eb from Central America, nurturing, compassion, inspiration, Ikigai from Japan, Oikos from Greece, and enthusiasm.

and Ubuntu from South Africa.

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Aroha:

Leading with the

Energy of Love

Leading propelled by

measurable release of

the energy of love is

endorphins in the brain.

respectful towards

Love has the capacity to

everyone and focused

discern the essence. It

on integrity. The leap

focuses on the goodness

from rational thinking to

of life in all its expressions seeing with one’s heart

and augments that

– as Antoine de Saint-

which is positive. It

Exupéry put it in The Little

dissolves negativity by

Prince – is a formidable

recontextualizing it rather

challenge. However, it is

than by attacking it.

»Aroha is not just a word; it is an ancient Māori precisely this shift – from

Aroha from the Maori

concept. According to Dr Hinemoa Elder, a New an intellectual grasp of

in New Zealand means

Zealand child and adolescent psychiatrist and concepts and the search

love on various levels:

recipient of the 2019 New Zealand Order of Merit, for causes to a loving and

between people, towards

aroha “describes a deeply felt emotion and a way respectful embrace of the

the environment and

of thinking that encompasses love, compassion, unified whole and all there

in connection with

sympathy and empathy” (2020, p. 4). Aroha is – that holds the key to

the universe. It is an

denotes so much more than the oversimplification acting with the energy of

emotional, physical,

of its English translation: love. As a compound love. When we act with

and spiritual love, love

word, aroha contains many intricate meanings, the energy of love, we

towards past and future

which can also be used as kind of guiding life accept everything as it

generations, and love

principles, like (Spiller et al., 2015): is, support it as such, and

towards nature.

gently nudge it towards

- Aro:



The word aroha is further

improvement.

thought, paying attention, focus, concentrate composed of four words:

- Ro:



As David R. Hawkins so

aro, ro, ha, and oha.

inner, within, introspect

eloquently put it in his

Thus, it is multi-layered

- Hā:

Power vs. Force, love is

and rich in meaning. Aro

life force, breath, energy

not intellectual and does

represents thought, the

- Oha:



not proceed from the

life principle, as well as

generosity, prosperity, abundance, wealth, gift mind. Love emanates

focus; ro means internal,

from the heart. It has the

Aroha is an all-expansive concept of Love, which introspection; and ha is

capacity to lift others and

should be understood with a capital L! It is an the life force, breath,

accomplish great feats

abiding and infinite kind of love. As a leadership energy. Oha corresponds

because of its purity of

principle, it builds on a relational philosophy of to generosity, progress,

motive. Love deals with

empathy, compassion, generosity and respect – to abundance, and health.

wholes. This ability, often

the planet, to other people, and also to oneself.

ascribed to intuition, is the

As a practice/behaviour, aroha and wairuatanga capacity for instantaneous

“Aroha Mahi,

(Eng. spirituality) represent a natural pair for understanding without

Aroha Atu”

maintaining harmony, linking the physical and resorting to sequential

the metaphysical worlds of the present, past and (Old Māori proverb)

symbol processing. This

future. When “love” becomes “Love”, it becomes a abstract phenomenon is,

[Eng. “Love and compassion gift to us and others«,

in fact, quite concrete;

given, love and compassion Matevž (Matt) Rašković, PhD, AEIOU ambassador for it is accompanied by a

received.”]

AROHA.

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Eb:

Interconnectedness

and Interdependence

In natural ecosystems, changes and disturbances are a normal occurrence.

Systems always respond by trying to restore biological balance. In nature, this process continues until equilibrium is reached, as allowed by the climate conditions in a certain area.

Links between living organisms and the environment also bear relevance to business communities. A business ecosystem is an interdependent community that provides products and services that generate added value for customers.

The business ecosystem of a company consists of a substantially wider circle of stakeholders than we would normally expect. Customers are just as much a part of the ecosystem as are suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.

The members of the ecosystem develop their abilities and roles together and align themselves. They progress towards a shared vision, coordinate their contributions, and find roles that are mutually supportive. The emphasis is on the ability to collaborate and inclusive models. Competition among stakeholders morphs into collaboration. “Playgrounds, not battlegrounds, are the training grounds of creativity and inclusiveness,” as Ladeja Godina Košir, founder and executive director of Circular Change, illustrated the difference in our perceptions.

Our connectedness and interdependence is even better encapsulated by the Mayan word eb, which has several meanings. Eb is a road, grass, abundance, growth, harvest, vital energy, the spiral ladder of life. Eb is the connection among people, places, dimensions, and worlds.

Eb can help us to expand our awareness of how we are connected with others.

This does not refer only to people who live in the present time. We are also connected to our forebears as well as our descendants. During our everyday actions we must therefore also think of those who are yet to come and make sustainable decisions that will allow our successors to live on this planet.

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Ikigai:

Meaning and

Mission

Ikigai was coined from two separate Japanese characters: iki (life) and gai (value). It is hard to find a literal meaning, but it roughly translates as “the meaning of life”. It stems from the understanding that the sum of the small joys in everyday life results in a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Ikigai is where the four primary elements converge: mission, passion, profession, and vocation. We are confronted with more and more data that reveal extremely high stress levels, higher levels of anxiety, and employees’

perception that work negatively affects their health. These data strongly correlate with the fact that people do not see any meaning in their work, do not know what their personal calling is, nor are they living it. They do not know or they forgot that it is their personal responsibility to continuously seek out and develop what they are good at, what they love, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for. Ikigai is where all this overlaps and it is a synonym for an endless pursuit of the path on which we can fully live our mission – both personal as well as that of the organization we are associated with.

Also on the level of an organization, ikigai propels us toward doing what is in line with our deep-seated beliefs and values and what is beneficial to the community.

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Oikos:

Responsibility

for the

Well-being of

Everyone

The word economy

money just for the sake

traces its origins back to

of it. Aristotle warned

the Greek language. It

that amassing money as

derives from the words

an end in and of itself is

oiko (house) and nomo

an unnatural activity that

(laws, rules). In his book

dehumanizes those who

95 tez, pribitih na vrata

practice it. All too often,

svetišča neoliberalnega

the concept of economy

kapitalizma (95 Theses

is exploited to justify

Nailed to the Door of

chrematistics. The spirits

the Temple of Neoliberal

of oikos, however, instills

»Oikos refers to three related, yet distinct Capitalism), Friar Karel

in economics the rules of

concepts: the family, the family’s property, and Gržan reminds us that the

mutual respect, fairness,

the house. Its meaning also depends on the word economy primarily

accountability, and taking

context in which it is being used.

means exploring and

care of everyone.

maintaining the rules of

In ancient Greek, oikos is the equivalent of a Oikos is a synonym

coexistence that allow

household, house, or family. An oikos was the for conscientious

everyone on this planet,

basic unit of society in most Greek city-states, and management. The word

our shared home, to live

included the head of the oikos, his immediate originally denoted

in harmony. In his work

family, and slaves living together in one domestic family, family property,

Politics, Aristotle describes

setting, as well as those with whom they came and household.

two kinds of economies.

into regular contact. These 8–15 people may be Being responsible for

The first, or the actual

their neighbours, co-workers, a local barista, a possessions or, even

one, is based on oikos. This

grocery store clerk….

more importantly, for the

is economics in relation

Literally translated, oikos means home and heart.

well-being of everyone

to human needs, where

Throughout the centuries, the word became the is a pivotal dimension of

people are producers

prefix “ecos.” It conjures up images of Earth and leadership, thus a leader

because they require

forms the basis of words like ecology, economics should know what the

certain things in order

and ecosystem. It is unfortunate that the word key elements are that

to survive. This is natural

“heart” got lost in translation, becoming used only create well-being and

economics whereby a

for the “house” or “household” in a dry economics how they change as our

product is converted

sense. Who knows what the world would look consciousness expands.

into money so that a

like today had “heart” remained an important person can satisfy his or

component of the economy and was addressed as her existential needs.

thoroughly as the financial part.

The second economy,

Oikos may also be looked at from different by contrast, concerns

perspectives. On one hand, as a safe space within chrematistics – being

which the right things can happen, preserving occupied with gaining

both words, home and heart. It may also be wealth, accumulating

a good antipole, a parallel option to global money as an end in

transhumanism, stressing the importance of a itself. Money is invested

community and caring for each other. And as part in goods for the sole

of the AEIOU model where oikos is one of the key purpose of earning even

aspects of modern leadership«, more money – hoarding

Violeta Bulc, MSc, AEIOU ambassador for OIKOS.

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Ubuntu:

Relationships

Based on

Trust

Leadership can take place and

develop only in relationships

between people. In mutual

relationships we also learn from each other, develop, change, train ourselves, and become stronger. It is important to be aware that we influence ourselves and the people around us with our thoughts and actions, that our intentions alone can infuse a moment with beauty or

“The Ubuntu concept – that

bitterness, open or close the doors of heartfelt understanding of

of opportunity, create favorable U Relationships with other people open yet another dimension – collective creation. Everyone has probably experienced how a team can come up with new ideas by employing the brainstorming method. The various perspectives of the team’s members can conjure up new associations, combinations, and strokes of insights. The first person’s idea can stir the second one’s imagination, a combination crosses the mind of the third one, the inherent goodness in every circumstances or barriers, deepen a the fourth one thinks out of the box human and respect for their

relationship or merely scratch at its and suggests something completely journey and whatever may

surface. The attention that we invest novel, and in this way everyone have happened to them. In

in a relationship also influences that feeds off of each other’s ideas.

this interconnectedness, there relationship, even though it may Similarly, everyone has probably had is no feeling of dominance.

appear we are merely being a passive the experience of delving deep into Trust comes from the core

observer.

some work and suddenly previously of being. Actions are done

Relationships with others can help unconnected pieces started to form in the spirit of not wanting

us understand our own personality a full picture. One is so immersed something in return. Having

and hold up a mirror to ourselves.

in what one is doing that one

an understanding of human

Just like a plain mirror reflects our loses track of the surroundings complexity; bringing to

external appearance, other people and time and fully enjoys the act awareness our unconscious

reflect our own personality. That of creating; we say that such a bias regarding diversity;

which disturbs, angers, or excites us person has entered a state of flow.

nurturing compassion;

about others is also within ourselves.

Collaboration by people who are choosing forgiveness over

fully connected can also unite revenge or ignorance; bringing these two experiences of flow and in hope; and believing in

the entire team can thus tap into fundamental goodness and

unprecedented enthusiasm and co-the common good – this is how

create in the “zone”.

I feel the spirit of Ubuntu. In The word ubuntu, which comes from line with the spirit of Ubuntu, I South Africa, is chosen as a synonym am interested and care about

for building relationships. It says that You and We, from the centre

I am who I am because you are who of the dignity of I”,

you are. We become who we are as a result of our relationships with other Barbara Cukjati, MSc, AEIOU

ambassador for UBUNTU.

people.

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By linking the selected

The interlocked rings of the Olympic The powerful sound and vibration collaboration with others. Together use of energy sources as well

words aroha, eb, ikigai,

symbol represent coexistence,

of vowels is reflective of the effect they innovate products, services, and as environmentally sound input mutual respect, and friendship that leaders have on the people solutions for the prosperity of all.

materials. They plan circular models oikos, and ubuntu into

among the nations from the

around them with their energy

Just as virtually all words cannot for reusing raw materials. They see the AEIOU of leadership,

five continents of planet Earth and vibrations. Vowels are the exist without a vowel, so a leader their business as a platform for we can also symbolically

depicted in different colors. Blue is carriers of syllables and, together cannot act consciously without developing people and sustaining Europe, black is Africa, red America, with consonants, they form

gaining a profound understanding happiness and not only as a means to interconnect all the

yellow Asia, and green Australia shorter or longer strings, either of and embodying all the five words achieve narrow business goals. They continents or the

with Oceania. These are also the accented or not. Syllables dictate that make up the AEIOU acronym.

set broader business goals that serve continents whence originate the the rhythm and compose words.

not only the employees and the entire world, just as the

As leaders internalize the AEIOU of words that convey the ancient

Words form sentences that carry company, but also the community interlaced Olympic rings

leadership, their attitude towards wisdom of their first, indigenous meaning, purpose, and message.

at large. Amassing wealth for

business undergoes a radical

united the five continents

inhabitants. The words aroha – love, This is analogous to how modern themselves and the company ceases transformation. Consequently, they eb – interconnectedness, ikigai –

leaders act: they connect between to be their goal. Success acquires a under the guidance of

do not aspire to massive production, mission, oikos – responsibility for the themselves and with co-workers so new dimension and is measured in but rather cater to the true needs Pierre de Coubertin.

well-being of everyone, and ubuntu that they all assume an important terms of the success of the people of consumers. They use resources

– relationships, together as AEIOU

role, create in their own rhythm, and around them and the well-being of wisely. They are conscious in their represent a universal collection of find meaning in their work and in the entire ecosystem.

five dimensions for conscious leaders from around the globe.



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A Gift from SLOVEnia to

the World: Insights from

AEIOU Leaders

»As a leader, I wake up

»Being a heartfelt leader,

»I love creating a new

»As an AEIOU leader, I

every day thinking about

serving with the energy of

work culture based on the

work intuitively with the

how I can develop the

love for the well-being of

AROHA (leadership with

energy of love – from the

talents and competencies

everyone (people&planet)

love), one that I hope will

source of old wisdom, my

of my colleagues, friends

according to the 5 AEIOU

become a new reality in

values and life mission. I

and acquaintances with

Leadership approaches

entrepreneurship«,

am good at recognising

the goal that they are

is a wonderful role that

the key capabilities

Nika Močnik.

HAPPY in private life and

through a language

of individuals and

efficient and successful in

of responsibility and

encouraging people to

business life«,

collaborative relationships

collaborate on meaningful

projects to bring about

Damijan Andjelković.

based on trust and respect

is helping to create a

better relationships and a

sustainable eco-civilisation

sustainable society«,

for the future. Together,

Estera Lah Poljak.

we can do more and

everything!«,

Klaudija Javornik.

»I choose AEIOU

leadership as a heartfelt

and ethical way to our

sustainable future. The

»The AEIOU leadership

stakes have rarely been

model reflects our

any higher«,

mission in the learning

Matic Kadliček.

communities The Positive

»Participating in the

Psychology Marathon

AEIOU community of

and The Pan-European

leaders inspires me,

Conference on Digital

»My mission in our

satiates my curiosity and

Education, which is

company Insights d.o.o. is

desire for connection

increasing access to

to discover and develop

and belonging, and

knowledge for all people

the potential held by

satisfies my aspiration

so that they can lead their

people and organisations.

for continuous personal

life with purpose«,

The AEIOU leadership

growth leading to a better

version of myself, as a

Blanka Tacer, PhD.

concept resonates

»An inner voice and

with me and my way of

person, and as a heartfelt

heart energy urge me

working, while it also

leader«,

to encourage pupils

represents a beacon I turn

Milena Rakun, MSc.

to master their talents

to in the event of doubt

sincerely, with love and

and ambiguity«,

responsibility for the well-

Natalie Cvikl Postružnik,

being of both them and

»I dream of a world in which

MSc.

constellations, and constellations What a coincidence: when we their descendants«,

everyone leads themselves out of create galaxies. The Milky Way, connect the places on the five love, thinks in terms of ecosystems, Nataša Grom.

our galaxy, contains 200 to 400

continents from where these lives their personal mission and the billion stars. And this is just one of words come from, we get the

»In essence, humanity only

mission of the organisation, and billions of galaxies in the observable shape of the constellation

speaks one language – the

creates trust-based relationships universe. In this whole unimaginable Cassiopeia. Five of its brightest language of love. That is

for prosperity. I want to live in such abundance of stars, everything flows stars form a W-shape – to remind why AEIOU leaders use

»Persistence is the Key to

a world. This is a world where each as it should and creates all that is us that We are co-creating the the alphabet of the heart

Achievement with AEIOU

individual is the sun that shadows needed to support life on our planet.

World.

to accomplish its ends«,

values. From words to

always shun, as the Slovenian poet Indigenous people on planet Earth Every AEIOU leader is a sun in action #vdczasavje«,

Tone Pavček says.

Maja Ambrož, MSc.

have been very much aligned with themselves, a star that emits light.

Špela Režun, PhD.

The universe shows that such a the stars and with cosmic cycles.

Together, connected with the energy world is possible. Everything flows Many of their wisdoms are woven of love, we can build a new World.

in harmony in the universe. Our into the concepts of aroha, eb, ikigai, Sonja Klopčič, MSc, initiator of the Sun is just one of the stars. Stars oikos and ubuntu.

community of AEIOU leaders

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»Humankind needs big

»The meaning of life and

»As an AEIOU leader, I

»I support leading

»I think one of the most

»With personal energy

»I am committed to

»The AEIOU approach

changes. Sooner than we

leadership is to grow love

wish to help create an

people from the

important qualities of a

and integrity, I ensure

respecting everyone,

to leadership welcomes

expected!«,

and respect for others«,

inclusive, collaborative

(energy of love) heart

good leader is leading by

the running of business

promoting responsibility,

the agility of the mind,

Žiga Vavpotič, MSc.

Martina Brec.

environment focused on

through understanding

example. I strongly believe

processes and actively

collaboration and a

the alertness of the

lifelong learning, centred

interdependence and

in honesty and being

seek pragmatic solutions

positive attitude, to

heart, and humanity, all

on each human being

interconnectedness.

authentic. And mostly,

and proposals«,

finding solutions and I

of which I identify with.

and their relationship to

I encourage the

walk the talk – do as you

Igor Vuković, PhD.

believe in the heartiness

Leadership is thus part

their fellow humans, the

responsibility and

preach«,

of everyone«,

of a mindful relationship

wider community, all living

creativity of the individual

Petra Juvančič.

Mojca Kunšek, MSc.

with one another and the

beings, nature and the

to find meaning and to

community as a whole«,

planet, with the ultimate

contribute to the mission

Nana Šumrada Slavnič,

goal of prosperity for all.

of the company and

MSc, PhD.

Together, we can make it

preserve the state of

happen«,

nature«,

»I believe that

»In 2007, Slovenians were

strengthening our

the first in the world

Tatjana Kolenc.

Marta Kelvišar.

virtues is a crucial step

to start to measure the

in the evolution of our

quality of relationships. I

»I believe this is the

consciousness«,

believe that through my

right way for a better

Urška Lan.

engagement in developing

»To me, AEIOU Leadership

tomorrow. Not only for

»I am an economist by

and implementing the

means to always lead

employees, but for all

education and a humanist

methodology and the

in every situation with

who live by the AEIOU

by occupation. A big

growth ecosystem, I am

a higher purpose for

principles. Because it is

nature lover and a loyal

»I always try to act

contributing to AEIOU

the greatest good of

sustainable and arises

supporter of the motto

according to my inner

leadership«,

yourself, the company,

from the next level of

Mens sana in corpore

energy, values, knowledge

and experience for

Edita Krajnović, MSc.

»As a Business Intuition

»I believe in our team’s

society, and the planet.

consciousness, since

sano. I believe in living

trainer, I am deeply

developmental,

The AEIOU Leadership

it’s based on growing

with meaning because

the lives of everyone I

connected to the spirit

innovative, sometimes

code – Aroha, Eb, Ikigai,

relationships, connection

if you find your WHY,

influence through my

of AEIOU leadership.

imaginatively feasible

Oikos, and Ubuntu – are

and cooperation«,

you will always get

actions and decisions to

It sustains the same

ideas which we can

breakthroughs that

your HOW. Constantly

make them easier, more

»It is neither a high school

Urša Podobnik.

meaningful and soulful

implement together and

support me in various

learning and discovering

creative and fulfilling.

diploma nor an academic

intentions of prosperity

do something good for

situations according to

new things, developing

The five dimensions of

title that makes you a

in purposeful business

the community«,

my purpose in a given

my own potential

AEIOU leadership are the

leader. Something more

engagements that leads

situation«,

and compassionately

framework in which I have

is needed. The easiest

Biljana Škarja, MSc.

to sustainable results

encouraging others to

recognised what I have

way to describe this

Tea Odlazek Mesar, MSc.

for people and the

develop their potential

been striving to do since

“something more” is

»I am continuously

planet. AEIOU teaches

is my passion and daily

time immemorial«,

AEIOU«,

exploring the infinite

conscious leadership

food«,

Matej Detič.

Gregor Škorc, PhD

area of potential, both

that encompasses the

mine and my colleagues’.

Janez Žezlina, MSc.

intuitive skill of using the

I wish them to develop in

whole spectrum of human

»I believe the secret of

the direction of personal

intelligence: rational,

living is giving. And the

growth and awareness

emotional and spiritual.

same goes for an AEIOU

of the role of every

Without it, we stay lost in

leader. Also for the AEIOU

single person in teams

the maze of the limited

»As a personal strategist,

community«,

for fulfilling the mission

mind«,

a profession developed

»Leading with love,

Lucija Sajevec, MSc.

of Nuclear power plant

at Hedoni Intuition, I will

thinking broadly and being

Krško«,

Manica Čelofiga.

continue to support the

aware of the importance

Alenka Pirc, Msc.

AEIOU process with Divine

of interconnectedness or

Philosophy Alaj«,

interdependence are the

main reasons I decided to

Bogo Seme.

become an AEIOU leader«,

Nina Jambrec, Msc.

A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World Insights from the AEIOU Leaders Insights from the AEIOU Leaders





»I want to engage and

»Simply because I

»As a leader, I strive to

»AEIOU values are some

»I believe in AEIOU

»The AEIOU concept

»At some point, each

»I live the belief that is

motivate people as well as

believe in the strength

be empathetic and act

kind of ‘glue’ for the

leadership and I am

contains ancient wisdom

of us must play the

not worth dealing with

to help them feel fulfilled

of encouragement,

responsibly regarding

global networks I co-

grateful to be able

from across the planet,

role of a leader. When I

opposition to change, but

in their work environment.

recognition and

the environment and

create, connect and

to live my mission by

transformed into the

find myself in this role,

it is better to look for its

I see leading with love as

awareness on a personal

my employees. I have a

nurture in the field of the

encouraging individuals

principles of modern

I build relationships

positive sides. The AEIOU

leading for the future«,

level, and because I

clear set of values and am

circular economy. Through

and helping them develop

leadership. By acting in

on mutual respect, I

Leadership principles help

Mario Gluhak.

believe in the strength

aware of my mission. I lead

systemic collaboration

their talents, to grow

line with these principles,

also take responsibility

me spread this belief more

of cooperation and

by example, which does

and heartily actions, we

and to reinvent in a safe

we can create a better

for the prosperity of

easily among my fellow

contribution. Everyone

not mean that I put myself

are transcending the

environment. When you

world and anyone who

others, I believe in

workers«,

needs to understand and

first, but inspire my fellow

boundaries of existing

see someone shining, be

feels responsible enough

interdependence, and

Anisa Faganelj.

find their own meaning

workers, excite them and

structures and replacing

happy and successful, it’s

for the future of our

with my personal mission

in the context of the

give them the opportunity

them with emerging

the greatest gift«,

children must join«,

I also make sense of the

common purpose«,

to implement their own

collaborative forms based

Metka Glas.

Andrej Božič.

work of others. That’s why

Stane Rožman.

ideas, initiatives, as well as on AEIOU principles«,

I believe I am an AEIOU

allow for some mistakes«,

Ladeja Godina Košir, MSc.

leader«,

Marko Lukić.

Živa Gorup Reichmann.

»Leading with love makes

me an AEIOU leader,«

Marko Malerič.

»We all need a tribe of

fellow leaders. A circle

where diverse stories,

»Values are the foundation

»Excellent AEIOU leaders

projects and experience

»We convene progressive

of relationships and

are those who persistently

connect us to the deeper

organizations, which

»I see AEIOU leadership as

leadership. AEIOU

convey their vision of a

essence and wisdom of

understand that the path

»I believe in the ‘butterfly

a way of life, a certain way

connects us to the ancient

thinking company to the

»Ever wondered how to

leadership«,

to the future is green

effect’ attributed to

of collaborating, thinking,

natives and expresses the

employees by example

help people on their way

Matej Delakorda.

and resilient. Climate

dynamic systems. And

feeling and acting. AEIOU

interconnectedness of the

and love. At the same

to success? I lead from the

neutrality is no longer

humanity is such a

leadership acts like a

people who are especially

time, they are able to

heart with attentiveness

»With the help of the

an alternative, it is

system. Small differences

compass for me. It helps

close to me. They give

build a creative work

by placing trust in people

AEIOU leadership

imperitive«,

can make a big impact.

me co-create in the right

us the strength and

environment with the

and their potential.

principles, I became aware

Through my work, I want

way, here and now, with a

determination to spread

appropriate change-for-

Working together, we

of and deeply internalised

Ana Struna Bregar.

to add and contribute to

view to the future«,

these values for future

development dynamics.

inspire each other,

the values that are the

better leadership«,

generations«,

Top AEIOU leaders know

we grow, and we are

foundations of operation

Katarina Primožič Ramoveš,

MSc.

how to work with open-

becoming the best version

and development in the

Ksenija Špiler Božič.

Ajša Vodnik, MSc.

minded people holding

of ourselves«,

direction of a just and

different viewpoints,

sustainable society. By

Taja Kaker.

take account of and value

»I follow the principles

working in different

them, while employees

of AEIOU leadership

communities, I try to use

return this sense of

because I know everyone

my example to influence

value by being creative

likes to feel accepted and

the internalisation of

and enthusiastic in their

appreciated. When these

these principles by

cooperation«,

values are practised and

others and thereby

felt, we then find meaning

become AEIOU leaders

Peter Mlakar, MSc.

and joy in what we are

themselves«,

doing«,

Marija Studen Pesjak.

Vesna Lavtižar, PhD.

»Exploring the five

concepts interconnected

in AEIOU leadership

offers a great platform

for creating the ambitious

change we need as a

society«,

Uršula Butkovič.

A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World Insights from the AEIOU Leaders Insights from the AEIOU Leaders





»I believe that the future

»Just as harmony is

»I believe that modern

»I am a heartful leader

»The AEIOU leadership is

»Heart leadership

»I believe that

»The principles of AEIOU

belongs to those who

important for a melody,

leaders can only be

because I believe it is

new paradigm for leading

means mutual respect,

leadership is the path

leadership are in line with

have yet to come. Such

the harmony of all

successful if they are

the most natural way

ourselves and business.

compassion, cooperation,

of responsibility and

my leadership philosophy.

thinking requires not only

leadership dimensions is

‘aware’ of their actions

to lead, for the good of

It reminds us who we are

transparent action,

the path of continuous

Among them, I pay special

personal but broader

important for success in

and influence on their

the individual and the

and what our purpose is in

support for one’s co-

learning; it is the

attention to aroha«,

responsibility; to respect

leadership. In the AEIOU

surroundings, so that they

system as a whole. I love

business«,

workers, and good

willingness to establish

Peter Malenšek.

the principle of inclusion

leadership messages, I

know themselves and

my colleagues and feel

such a partnership that

Martina Praprotnik.

example-setting and

and diversity on all levels!

recognise messages for

are constantly building

it is my mission to care

honesty with a great

enables everyone to do

Sustainable leadership

the required awareness

a ‘better self’ for their

for and connect them.

deal of inspiration and

what they do best. Open

is the determination

and a holistic approach,

teams, colleagues and

AEIOU is my lighthouse

creativity, supported by

collaboration, respect,

to create a better

on both a personal level

organisations. The AEIOU

on the undulating path of

love«,

professionalism, and trust

tomorrow«,

and the level of the

leadership provides a

leadership«,

ensure the development

Nataša Bratina, MSc, PhD.

Medeja Lončar.

organisation and the

compass while taking

and future of humanity«,

Tina Merčnik.

wider living environment«,

responsibility for co-

Gorazd Pfeifer.

creating a better business

Sonja Špoljarič.

world«,

»AEIOU incorporates all

Boštjan Gorjup.

»I want to create an

the values that ensure

environment that offers

better relationships and a

encouragement and hope

more connected society.

to young people«,

In my professional career,

the main principle I follow

Jure Knez, PhD.

»I truly believe that in

is “leading by example”.

»Awareness of

»I strive to be an AEIOU

such a rapidly changing

I am very committed to

responsibility for

leader because leadership

world we must change

»To AEIOU or not

sustainability and strive

successful business, with

»Leading with love means

as we have known it so far

constantly and adapt

AEIOU, that is not the

to incorporate it into

empathy for fellow human

acting for the whole

will not successfully take

our ways of handling,

question! For me, AEIOU

every aspect of my work.

beings in relationships

beehive, not just one bee

»The AEIOU concept is the

us to the next level. The

we have to build even

means wholeness:

I am proud that, together

with employees and

only. It means finding

best possible leadership

hierarchical leadership

stronger relationships,

One world (that is

with my team, we are

customers, connecting

certainty amid uncertainty

principle and at the same

pyramids of the past must

and dedicate ourselves to

globally connected),

successfully helping to

with positive energy,

to reassure, guide and

time a personal attitude.

be transformed into co-

leadership with empathy

One person (human

establish sustainable

courage, heart and

get the best out of teams.

In all of my work, I seek

creator communities of

so that as a society we

and businessperson in

tourism in Slovenia«,

sustainability. And, finally,

Exploring and caring

to follow this principle

the future«,

»Being a leader is a

remain successful and

one) and One common

Maja Pak, MSc.

my mission of involving

about what inspires us.

wholeheartedly«,

privilege. You don’t gain

approach to development

Vita Godec, PhD.

constantly evolving.

young people, that is

AEIOU empowers love,

this by position, but by

Janez Škrabec.

We are often too goal-

(Agenda 2030, where

exactly what I want to

trust and kindness, unique

who you are. To follow the

oriented and forget about

the social, ecological and

be and I want to lead my

leaders from sLOVEnia, a

principles of AEIOU means

that, so it’s time to change

economic interact and

colleagues along this path

nation of BEekeepers«,

to live my mission«,

this«,

cooperate as one)«,

to a common goal. The

Tanja Subotić Levanič.

Zvezdana Lubej.

Katja Kraškovic, MSc.

Tičo Zupančič.

AEIOU dimensions should

be the dimensions of

every one of us, not only

while at work – we live by

them«,

»I love life and enjoy

»It’s time to change how

co-creating with a

Melita Rozman Dacar, MSc.

we do business. The

purpose. The AEIOU

AEIOU model suits this call

guidelines remind us of

for change«,

the importance of working

with passion, sharing

Jože Mislej.

love, and nurturing

relationships. AEIOU

should be THE attitude

both inside and outside

the workplace«,

Sabina Košak.

A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World A Gift from SLOVEnia to the World Insights from the AEIOU Leaders Insights from the AEIOU Leaders



Cobiss ID

66178819

Zapis CIP

Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani

COBISS.SI-ID 66178819

ISBN 987-961-94891-3-0 (PDF)