The Seminar helped me to better understand my own government decisions and actions. Madeleine K. Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State

ASPEN LEADERSHIP SEMINAR Philosophy

Intensive, surprising, inspiring! Christian Schütte, Senior Editor "Capital", and Practice Gruner + Jahr AG & Co KG

The Seminar was not intended to make a corporate treasurer a more skilled corporate treasurer, but to help a leader gain access to his or her own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self- correcting and more self-fulfilling. Walter Paepcke, Founder The Aspen Institute

The economic and political crisis has underscored the centrality of values. It has put philosophy back on the map. To choose between The Seminar is very timely. It ignites reflec- lower taxes and universal health care or lower profits and layoffs, tion about ethics and values in a global con - is a values decision. text. I am inspired to put theory into action. Todd Breyfogle, Aspen moderator and Director of Dr. Joerg M. Borchert, Vice President, Seminars for the Aspen Institute Infineon Technologies

Philosophy is everybody’s business. To be a human being is to be endowed with the proclivity to philosophize. Mortimer Adler, Philosopher

The Seminar provides a chance to think about your values. Do you act differently in your company or your family if you begin with the premise that human nature is naturally good? Carol Gluck, Aspen moderator and Professor, Department of History and Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Columbia University THE ASPEN IDEA ASPEN GERMANY HALLMARKS OF THE ASPEN LEADERSHIP SEMINAR The Aspen Idea goes back to 1945 As the first Institute abroad, Aspen Germany when Chicago businessman and phi - was founded in 1974 in the midst of the Cold lanthropist Walter Paepcke (1896- War. Its founding members included former  In depth reflection on timeless 1960), son of German immigrants Chancellor Willy Brandt, former High Com - human values, pursuit of common from Mecklenburg, arrived in Aspen, a missioner for Germany John J. McCloy, ground, and cultivation of a richer un - then sleepy town in the mountains of Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, the Governing derstanding of the human condition Colorado. Under the impression of the Mayor of Berlin Klaus Schütz, historian human and moral catastrophe of World Lord Alan Bullock, the future President of Focus on the essence of leadership War II, Paepcke dreamed of "a place West Germany Richard von Weizsäcker, (no case studies or skill building where the human spirit can flourish." sociologist and politician Ralf Dahrendorf, format) and publicist Marion Countess Dönhoff Paepcke was a trustee of the University among others. Together they envisioned cre- of Chicago and close friends with its ating a symbol of transatlantic community. Diversity of participants and views president Robert Hutchins as well as with philosopher Mortimer Adler. Under the leadership of Shepard Stone, its High caliber moderators from the  Together they shared one vision: first director, Aspen Germany established a U.S. and Europe To create a platform for dialog for unique track record of building German-US leaders, thinkers, and artists from cooperation and dialog with the former Confidential setting and respectful around the globe to step away from Soviet Union. Stone’s successors extended atmosphere away from daily routine their daily routines and reflect on what this tradition and also focused on issues fa - makes good leaders and a good cing the Balkans and the Middle East. society. Till today, Aspen Germany enables con - structive dialog amongst conflicting parties Their dream came true in 1949 when and promotes Euro-Atlantic cooperation to Paepcke made Aspen the site for the support and enhance a strong open society. The greatest menace to our civilization is celebration of the 200th birthday of the menace of the uneducated expert. German poet and philosopher Johann THE ASPEN SEMINAR He commands respect because he is an Wolfgang von Goethe to commemo - expert. [...] Yet he knows nothing of other rate the historic and abiding philoso - Th e first Aspen Seminar was conducted in fields and nothing of the relation of phical ties that America and the rest of 1951, bringing together decision makers his field to them. the world had with Germany, despite from business, politics, academia, the arts, Robert Hutchins, President the aberration of Hitler and World and civil society. Away from every-day life The University of Chicago War II. The 20-day gathering attracted and with sufficient time for reflection, par - such prominent intellectuals and artists ticipants were encouraged to discover their The Aspen Seminar provides a wonder- as Albert Schweitzer, Jose Ortega y own answers to questions posed by great ful framework for personal growth. The Gasset, Thornton Wilder, and Arthur thinkers and engage in an often highly con - facility, the moderators, and the content Rubinstein, along with members of the troversial exchange with each other. international press and more than were well chosen. It’s an investment that 2,000 other attendees. That year, The Seminar was inspired by the Great will pay lifelong dividends. Paepcke created what is now the Aspen Books Seminar held by Mortimer Adler Michael Eisner, Former Chairman and Institute. at the University of Chicago. According CEO, Walt Disney Company to Adler, philosophy is everybody’s business Today, the vision and reach of the and essential to what makes us human. The The Aspen Seminar is an indispensable Institute extend far beyond its original idea was that the Seminar would improve equipment for ethical, values based roots. In policy programs, seminars, American society by fostering humanistic management. public events, and global leadership thought among important decisionmakers. Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Matussek, initiatives, the form and force of the In the early days of Aspen, it was also Managing Director Institute have grown to confront perceived as an intellectual weapon in the Alfred Herrhausen GmbH contemporary challenges and matters Cold War. of collective concern. The Institute is For today's emerging leaders who are based in Washington DC and has Ever since, the Aspen Seminar has convened lonely at the top, this forum provides a campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on leaders from across society. Through the So - safe space to reflect upon and develop a the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern cratic method they reflect on fundamental true authentic leadership style. It’s that Shore. It also maintains offices in New questions of the human condition to clarify experience that keeps bringing me back. York City and has an international net - their own values, become more aware of the Dr. Shikha Nehru Sharma work of partners in Germany, France, diversity of views, and improve leadership Managing Director Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, on a personal level as well as for the greater Nutri-Health Systems Pvt.Ltd. Spain, Japan, India, and Mexico. good of society. PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING

Aspen Germany introduced its Seminar Participants emerge from the Seminar per- Develop your compass “Philosophy & Practice” in 2011. Tucked sonally renewed, professionally refocused, Today’s societies are highly globalized, away from daily routine, the Seminar con - often with new, meaningful friendships. complex and interdependent. Commonly venes a small group of high level leaders They are better prepared to lead as they held values are increasingly taken into from diverse backgrounds in a confidential confront difficult choices in their organi- question. Executives have to define their atmosphere. Based on classical and zations and in society. own values to guide their actions and modern texts of renowned philosophers decisions. Philosophical questioning and and thinkers and guided by two highly skil - THE SOCRATIC METHOD thinking help to develop your personal led moderators, participants reflect on the compass. human existence, including the role of the The Aspen Seminar employs the Socratic individual, the order o f society, and the li - method of moderated inquiry and dialog. Lead more effectively mits of power. Moreover, they discuss how The Greek philosopher Socrates (470–399 Becoming an effective leader is an inside- this is relevant for their leadership today BC) engaged in questioning of his stu- out process. When we are clear about our and for the challenges, that confront all of dents in an unending search for truth. He values, we feel motivated, empowered, and us on a local, national, and global le vel. sought to get to the foundations of his stu- prepared to take action. Only a leader with ues' views and beliefs by dents' and colleag clear core beliefs that are expressed in his Unlike university lectures or literature ana - asking continual questions until a contra- or her actions is perceived as consistent lyses in which experts offer instructions on diction was exposed, thus proving the fal- and trustworthy and likely to be willingly how to read or understand the classical lacy of the initial assumption. writings, the Seminar encourages partici - followed. pants to interpret the materials in their VALUES BASED LEADERSHIP own way. Participants are requested to Make better decisions thoroughly study the materials prior to The idea that good leaders are key to a While traditional leadership seminars the Seminar. During the sessions, they are good society is a core part of the Aspen mainly focus on skill building and case expected to openly share their views, idea. Becoming an effective leader is an studies, the Aspen Seminar encourages beliefs, and personal experiences but also inside-out process. When we are not clear participants to think more deeply about the closely listen to what others have to say. about our values, it is hard to imagine how foundations of one’s decisions. Partici - we can stand up for our beliefs. How can pants analyze problems from different The purpose of the Seminar is not to find we speak out, if we don’t know what is angles and weigh a range of different unanimous responses or build consensus, important to us? How can we act accor- solutions. but make participants think more deeply ding to our convictions, if we only have a about their own beliefs and values, en - vague idea what they are? Leading a life Challenge your views and beliefs hance their understanding of differing that is congruent with one’s beliefs and Participants come from different back - views, and highlight the complexity of our values, gives leaders the authenticity and grounds and various sectors of society. En - societies. While the Seminar offers no credibility that their constituents desire. gaged debates deepen their understanding ready-made solutions, it creates a space for Once leaders have identified their values, of differing views and opinions. Often par - dialog and exchange, which is fundamental they have a greater sense of stability and ticipants find themselves changing their in a world that has to live daily with con - confidence. They are perceived as consis- usual way of thinking and acting. They flicting interests, opposing views, and cul - and more likely to be tent, trustworthy, open up to new approaches, and hence tural frictions. willingly followed. gain new insights and ideas.

AT A GLANCE Expand your network High-ranking leaders often find themsel - TARGET GROUP Participants include high level decision makers from busi- ves lonely at the top. They look for oppor - ness, politics, the public sector, academia, civil society, the tunities to exchange ideas with peers, but arts and culture, and health care. are even more interested in meeting lea - ders from other fields. The Seminar pro- REGISTRATION Participation is by invitation only. To learn more, please con- vides a safe space for in-depth debate on tact us at [email protected]. fundamental questions across society. READINGS The readings consist of select Western and Eastern, classical and contemporary texts. The Seminar is conducted in Envision your future English. Participants often take the Aspen Seminar at an inflection point in their lives and DURATION The Seminar takes place on a long weekend: Thursday careers, ready to take on even higher lea- evening to Sunday afternoon. Continuous attendance of all dership roles. They emerge from the Se - sessions is required. minar personally renewed, professionally refocused, and better prepared to take on COSTS The Seminar fee is € 3.500 per person plus € 590,50 for a new challenge. accommodation and all meals. THE ASPEN SEMINAR ALUMNI NETWORK

Participants share a unique and often life changing experience. To continue this journey of mind and friendship, Aspen Germany strives to keep Seminar alumni connected with each other and with the Institute. Throughout the year, alumni have the opportunity to gather with their peers and other members of the Aspen community during brown bag lunches, special events, conferences, and other occasions.

It is important to think about the fundamen - tal questions of leadership and for what you stand. Then daily questions get answered more easily. Kristina Marie Flügel, Director Human Resources, Deutsche Bank AG

ASPEN LEADERSHIP SEMINAR Philosophy and Practice The in-depth discussions with my fellow participants have changed how I view the world and will impact my daily life. Eva Deininger, Head of Logistics & THE ASPEN FUND FOR LEADERSHIP Services, Axel Springer AG Diversity is a key factor for the success of the Aspen Seminar. When asked about their experience, participants tell us that they were most deeply affected by the diversity of views they found in the readings and by the wide range of interpretations and perspectives offered by their fellow participants.

In essence, they discovered that reasonable people disagree on what constitutes a good society (and a good company), and that the role of a leader is to create conditions in which people with different agendas can unite behind a common purpose. Through their Seminar readings and discussions, participants see that followers are motivated by leaders who hold out the promise of helping them to realize the things they cherish and value most.

To enable this key experience, the Institute works hard to ensure that YOUR CONTACT each Seminar is composed of a diverse group of leaders representing multiple sectors of society and different backgrounds. Often, nonprofit The Aspen Institute Germany and civil society organizations as well as public sector institutions are Leadership Program not able to afford the full Seminar fee. Therefore the Institute offers a Carina Kempf limited number of partial and full scholarships. Friedrichstrasse 60 Your donation to the Aspen Fund for Leadership is crucial to ensure 10117 Berlin | Germany the Aspen Seminar experience for ALL participants and is an invest - T +49 (0) 30 804 890 28 ment in values based leadership in our society and beyond. F +49 (0) 30 804 890 33 [email protected] www.aspeninstitute.de