What is
‘Higher Order’
Leadership?
At the core of The Centre for Arts and Global Leadership lies the deliberate integration of personal evolution with global transformation. We see this as a leadership journey unlike any other, meticulously designed to empower individuals to take the helm of their own growth. This involves a profound commitment to an "interior journey," which, once undertaken, unleashes a powerful force capable of instigating transformative change within individuals, their communities, and, most importantly, our wider world. We provide essential space and time for reflection, fostering new leadership skills, forging connections that lead to outsized impact, and enabling decisive action on the most pressing global challenges. Our holistic approach is inspired by Joseph Campbell’s "The Hero's Journey," framing the experience as a guiding narrative for participants to embody the change our world urgently needs and to construct new narratives that drive meaningful action.
Where the World Comes Together for Impact
Clos de Gaye is our unique and special place, nestled in the far southwest of France, at the foothills of the Pyrenees, near the Spanish border and the stunning Basque coast. Known as the "Place of Happiness," it functions simultaneously as a private home, a residential retreat, a creative and artistic workspace, an organic farm, a community kitchen, a restaurant, a tea house, an Impact Hub, and a vital convening ground for global leaders, artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Deep in the heart of the French countryside, this "old world" setting paradoxically gives rise to a new way of thinking about the future.
We cultivate an atmosphere of serene beauty, where shared meals overlooking the Pyrenees and the French countryside provide a tranquil backdrop for honest, transformative conversations. The spirit of Clos de Gaye is defined by contribution, generosity, and accountability, emphasizing beauty, authenticity, and soul.
We offer immersive experiences, from connecting with one’s creative self through arts and culture to leadership development facilitated by world-class experts, dining under the stars, and late-night discussions with profound thinkers, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty. The intimacy and authenticity of being part of our real home and family further enrich this unparalleled experience.
The visionary architect behind Clos de Gaye is Caroline Watson, the founder of The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership. An award-winning entrepreneur, actress, and thought-leader, Caroline leverages the arts to effect large-scale social change and is renowned as a masterful hostess. Her unique methodology stems from extensive experience in leadership development programs and high-level global forums, including those at Davos, Harvard, Oxford, and Yale. Her profound disappointment with the self-congratulatory, Western-centric nature of these conventional gatherings, and their superficial use of the arts for mere "edutainment," catalyzed her to forge a fundamentally different path—a path we now walk together. Caroline’s leading-edge approach blends high-level vision with a deeply authentic and human-centered understanding of global challenges. She convenes individuals capable of deep thought and possessing real, lived experience across diverse global contexts, employing methodologies that delve into the hidden aspects of human behavior and personal development. This process inspires a "higher order" of leadership, committed to positive change on a global scale and accountable to all those not physically present in the room. Her sought-after coaching style transcends technical directives, working at a deeper level to support the spiritual growth and the emergence of more refined thought in her coachees, attracting corporate executives, heads of state, and leaders from around the world.
The physical location of Clos de Gaye, deeply embedded in the "old world" French countryside, yet serving as a birthplace for "a new way of thinking about the future" represents a deliberate strategic choice we have made. Its explicit comparison to "the Bloomsbury set's Charleston and Camp David" is significant. Just as Charleston fostered artistic and intellectual ferment in a rural setting, and Camp David facilitated high-stakes political dialogue, we believe Clos de Gaye is more than just a beautiful backdrop. It is our conscious decision to ground radical, future-oriented ideas in a timeless, aesthetically rich, and historically resonant environment. This strategic blending suggests that profound, systemic change necessitates a departure from the often sterile and superficial environments of traditional power centers. By immersing leaders in a setting that embodies "Beauty. Authenticity. Soul." we aim to foster a deeper, more human-centered approach to problem-solving, reconnecting leaders with fundamental values that can be lost amidst the complexities of global challenges. We believe the very space becomes a catalyst for a different mode of thinking, much like the Bloomsbury Group found inspiration in their rural retreats.