Dr Pascal Vrticka and Jonathan Wolf-Phillips are currently in the process of setting up a dedicated
Centre for Attachment-Informed Leadership Studies (CALS).
The main aim of CALS is to further develop and promote their new
Attachment-Informed Leadership (AIL) framework.
Leadership is first and foremost a relationship. And it’s not just any kind of relationship, it’s an attachment-based relationship. A relationship in which the leader’s main role is to become an attachment figure for their followers.
Click on the image on the left to check out the Substack post written by Dr Pascal Vrticka and Jonathan Wolf-Phillips on their Attachment-Informed Leadership (AIL) framework.
Purpose of CALS
Background
The idea to set up the centre arose from discussions over two years between attachment-informed leadership specialist Jonathan Wolf-Phillips and social neuroscientist Dr Pascal Vrticka, about the following observations by attachment researchers Mario Mikulincer and Philip Shaver, in a recent book (Attachment Theory Expanded, 2023; emphasis added):
Considering all the forces that work against sensitivity, responsiveness, and security, as well as the tragic results of attachment insecurities, we see an enormous need for evidence-based interventions guided by inspiring and hope-sustaining research, showing that it is possible to cultivate sensitive responsiveness and mentalisation, and move attachment-insecure people toward greater felt-security (p. 335).
We do not have good research evidence regarding the ability of an attachment-informed approach to leadership and organisational development to measurably contribute to members’ felt security, health and well-being, and job performance (p. 290).
Vision
The vision of the centre is to make a significant contribution to the evidence-base for how an attachment-informed approach to leadership can measurably contribute to increases in felt security, job performance, and overall health and well-being – for both leaders and those they lead.
Core task
The core task of the centre is to develop and share content, based on specialist research related to attachment-informed leadership, its scientific underpinning, and its application (e.g. on-line and in-person speaking, non-academic and academic publishing.
Research opportunities
We are currently inviting interested individuals and organisations to participate in exploratory discussions about contributing to this emerging field of academic study.
Contact Form
Please feel free to get in touch with us in case of any questions or suggestions.
Dr Pascal Vrticka (PhD, FHEA) 