
Photo: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
ESAS’s Leadership Laboratory is a testament to its unwavering commitment to cultivating leadership that transcends boundaries and empowers individuals to effect positive change. By embracing the power of sketching, writing, theater-making, and the broader spectrum of art, ESAS continues to ignite the sparks of innovation and foster a collective spirit of resilience and progress, ultimately contributing to Indonesia’s journey towards a more just, harmonious, and sustainable future.
The Leadership Laboratory, a cornerstone of ESAS’s commitment to enriching the human experience, continued its mission with unwavering dedication. This laboratory serves as a vital platform where ESAS relentlessly pursues innovative solutions to Indonesia’s multifaceted challenges in the realms of social, economic, ecological, and spiritual dimensions. Recognizing that leadership is the linchpin for Indonesia’s holistic development, ESAS remains resolute in nurturing and empowering leaders who can steer the nation toward a brighter future.
Within the expansive landscape of the Leadership Laboratory, a diverse array of methodologies and tools takes center stage, each meticulously selected to provide a comprehensive approach to problem-solving. These include the art of sketching, a medium that transcends conventional language barriers to express ideas and concepts with a visual eloquence that words alone may struggle to convey. Additionally, writing is pivotal in this creative journey, allowing participants to articulate their thoughts, insights, and visions with clarity and precision. Furthermore, theater-making emerges as a dynamic means of exploration, enabling individuals to breathe life into their ideas and narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues.
Art, in all its forms, emerges as a unifying thread that runs through this laboratory, facilitating a broader and more profound perspective on design and systems thinking. It catalyzes expanding the horizons of creativity and innovation. Integrating artistic expression into design and systems thinking empowers participants to explore uncharted territories, break free from conventional molds, and forge new pathways toward holistic solutions.
ESAS’s Leadership Laboratory is a testament to its unwavering commitment to cultivating leadership that transcends boundaries and empowers individuals to effect positive change. By embracing the power of sketching, writing, theater-making, and the broader spectrum of art, ESAS continues to ignite the sparks of innovation and foster a collective spirit of resilience and progress, ultimately contributing to Indonesia’s journey towards a more just, harmonious, and sustainable future.
Video: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
Our Good Society program is a transformative journey, guiding participants through self-discovery that equips them with the tools and perspectives necessary to initiate innovative and creative endeavors. It’s a passionate call to engage actively in co-creation, inviting individuals to pool their diverse talents and resources to serve the greater good of the collective.
At its core, a “Good Society” represents a profound paradigm shift that challenges the conventional notions of what constitutes goodness in our modern world. It transcends mere surface-level definitions, delving deep into the individual’s understanding of oneself while catalyzing collective consciousness on a broader scale.
Our Good Society program is a transformative journey, guiding participants through self-discovery that equips them with the tools and perspectives necessary to initiate innovative and creative endeavors. It’s a passionate call to engage actively in co-creation, inviting individuals to pool their diverse talents and resources to serve the greater good of the collective.
However, our vision extends far beyond personal transformation; it encompasses the aspiration to shape a society that truly reflects our shared values and collective dreams. Through a harmonious blend of introspection and collaborative efforts, we are weaving the blueprint for a future that is not only more equitable but also environmentally sustainable, ultimately forging a path toward a more just, compassionate, and prosperous world for all.

Watercolour by John Brass 2017
Good Society
As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic, our Sunday sessions emerged as a lifeline—an oasis of connection and contemplation. What started as a simple means of staying in touch quickly revealed its true potential. We found ourselves engaging in discussions that transcended the ordinary and ventured into the realm of the profound.
Amidst the pandemic, our Sunday mornings took on a new significance as a virtual gathering, filling a crucial void. What initially felt like a delightful indulgence evolved into a vital retreat. Unbeknownst to us, this digital sanctuary became a space for profound reflection on the spiritual divide, offering a pathway to wholeness through our choices.
As the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic, our Sunday sessions emerged as a lifeline—an oasis of connection and contemplation. What started as a simple means of staying in touch quickly revealed its true potential. We found ourselves engaging in discussions that transcended the ordinary and ventured into the realm of the profound.
The spiritual divide, which had long simmered beneath the surface of our lives, suddenly demanded our attention. It became evident that the choices we make, both individually and collectively, have a profound impact not only on our personal well-being but on the well-being of society as a whole. Our Sunday gatherings became a forum for exploring the deeper dimensions of our existence, addressing questions of purpose, meaning, and interconnectedness. Through shared stories, insights, and contemplation, we embarked on a journey of self-discovery.

Photo: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
Our journey is enriched by the invaluable insights of esteemed individuals who have provided key inputs. Our discourse centers on the profound understanding that heart and mindset changes are essential to ecosystem transformation. At ESAS, we are dedicated to shaping a healthier future where communities thrive, sustainability reigns, and resilience becomes a way of life.
At ESAS, we firmly believe that true ecosystem transformation can only occur when we ignite a change in both the heart and mindset. Our mission is clear: to chart alternative pathways toward “Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Communities.”
The undeniable connection between a healthy diet and a healthy planet has emerged as a guiding principle in our journey. We’ve assembled diverse visionaries, including academics, experts, practitioners, activists, and community organizers specializing in food sciences, nutrition, climate, and communications. Together, they have sparked innovative ideas and strategic approaches to pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable society.
Our journey is enriched by the invaluable insights of esteemed individuals who have provided key inputs:
– Dr. Rina Agustina: Nutritionist at UI-IMERI, member of Lancet and WHO Consultant
– Felia Salim: Senior Finance, Banking, Governance, and Sustainability expert
– Archie Slamet: Food Scientist at the Indonesian Food Innovation Centre (IFIC)
– Agnes Malippu: Country Lead of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
– Mardiyah Chamim: DDA Communications Expert
– Feby Siahaan: Expert Staff at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology
– Debra Yatim: Writer, Senior Journalist, and Social-Cultural Activist
Our discourse centers on the profound understanding that heart and mindset changes are essential to ecosystem transformation. At ESAS, we are dedicated to shaping a healthier future where communities thrive, sustainability reigns, and resilience becomes a way of life.

Photo: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
Achieving Leadership Resonance Through Music.
Miha’s pioneering methodology leverages the profound emotional language of music to elevate training and leadership development. This revolutionary paradigm is reshaping the landscape of corporate training.
Introducing Miha Pogacnik, a distinguished Slovenian violinist, visionary thinker, and recognized expert in leadership development. During his Jakarta visit, he spearheaded an enlightening workshop called ‘Leadership in Tune: Achieving Leadership Resonance Through Music.’
Miha’s pioneering methodology leverages the profound emotional language of music to elevate training and leadership development. His unique approach breathes life into the structural elegance of musical masterpieces, delivering an unforgettable journey toward leadership transformation—an inner force for profound change. This revolutionary paradigm is reshaping the landscape of corporate training.
This transformative workshop emerged from a productive collaboration between ESAS and Daya Dimensi Indonesia, hosted at The Dharmawangsa.

A dynamic exercise during the workshop
Photo: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
ESAS’s Good Society – Transformational Leadership Learning Lab fosters a harmonious coexistence—a Good Society, guided by the transformative power of Theory U, incorporating artistic expression as a pivotal tool to access untapped potential, propelling us towards a more just and equitable world.
In pursuing a Good Society, we must address the socioeconomic, ecological, and spiritual divides. ESAS Good Society – Transformational Leadership Learning Lab brings diverse fellows from various cultural backgrounds and professional disciplines. At the heart of our approach lies the U Theory, a social technology guided by Otto Scharmer of MIT and the founder of Presencing Institute.
Theory U advocates a shift from a personal, individual-centered perspective to a collective, group-centered one, aiming to foster a harmonious coexistence—a Good Society. This transformation empowers us to work towards a healthier planet and a better quality of life.
This method taps into our innate innovative capacity, significantly enhancing our ability to yield groundbreaking results. The ESAS Good Society Program takes Theory U a step further, incorporating artistic expression as a pivotal tool to access the wellspring of untapped potential—the inner knowing propels us towards a more just and equitable world.

Photo of the fellows individual presentation online.
Photo: ESAS Archive.
Good Society
Terjebak, crafted by our dedicated fellows, was Art, in its purest form, is a haven for the unfettered expression of freedom, unburdened by fear. They become the voice of an era rarely neutral but profoundly revealing, shedding light on revolution, social change, human rights, feminism, environmental issues, inequality, and equity. Each artwork has a unique beauty, illuminating the path toward understanding and transformation more than a tool for fostering connection; it was a vehicle for deep introspection and sharing personal and professional journeys, fundamental in shaping a sustainable future vision.
Terjebak (“Entrapped”), a module crafted by our dedicated fellows, played a pivotal role in our program. It served as more than a tool for fostering connection and mutual understanding; it was a vehicle for deep introspection and the sharing of personal journeys (“knowing the self”) and professional passions (“knowing their role”). These elements are fundamental in elevating our efforts and collaboratively shaping a sustainable future vision.
The U-Theory-based Good Society Transformational Leadership Learning Lab faced unique challenges during the pandemic. What was initially intended as an immersive year-long experience had to swiftly adapt to an entirely online format.
However, Terjebak remained an integral aspect, enabling our participants not only to maintain their connections and expand their knowledge of one another but also to delve into profound self-reflection. This process of self-discovery and understanding of their individual roles forms the bedrock upon which we build, co-creating prototypes for a potentially transformative vision of a sustainable future.