Philosophy and Guiding Principles

Leadership Philosophy 

Leadership education and training experiences at Dominican University of California have an underlying theme promoting the leader's responsibility for shaping a constructive organizational culture. An organizational culture where colleagues trust one another, maintain ethical values and hold one another accountable for achieving shared organizational goals, tends to emerge from an organizational environment that establishes clear priorities, focuses on results. Participants will explore how leaders, teams and individuals are in relationship with one another within cultural contexts. We believe that trust, conflict, clarity, accountability and achieving results are inter-related. We believe thriving organizations empower all employees to demonstrate leadership.

• ILS guiding principles are based on Dominican values.
• ILS serves as a partner to our campus and our civic & business communities as we strive toward continuing to achieve our Dominican values of service and community based upon knowledge and reflection.
• ILS serves all students and alumni; undergraduate and graduate and focuses on students, curriculum and engaging them in community projects leading to learning and service.

Guiding Principles

Study

• Develop leadership skills through study, research, & experimentation
• Conduct cutting-edge research of leadership ideas and practices
• Ensure that leadership models are broad and responsive to ethical, cultural, contexts & situations
• Integrate leadership theory & practice across the curriculum

Reflection

• Engage in creative vision that is integral to effective, ethical leadership
• Examine multiple perspectives of moral principles in reflecting on defining ethical leadership
• Meet the needs of organizations by guiding their choices of strategic objectives through action research
• Seek full participation to reach agreement on mutual organizational goals

Community

• Effect positive organizational & community change through the process of leadership development
• Promote civic engagement as a cornerstone of democracy
• Offer opportunities to practice socially responsible leadership
• Recognize the importance of leadership & partnership at work, home, & in the community

Service

• Bridge the university & Bay Area community through research, education, & community service
• Improve our campus by moblizing students to service in the community
• Partner with organizations to resolve conflict & achieve their goals towards positive change
• Practice teamwork to creatively achieve community or business effectiveness