A caterpillar projecting the shadow of a butterflyA caterpillar projecting the shadow of a butterfly

Our team has been working with:

Sharpist logoHarvard UniversityGeorgetown UniversityEuropean ParliamentObama FoundationCitiesrise logThe world bankEuropean University InstituteSciencexpoUNICEFGovernment of the United States

A Global Movement for Democratic Leadership

We are a world-wide community & a movement for teaching people and organizations how to reach their full potential through practicing Democratic Leadership Framework.

Invest in Yourself & Your People

Democratic Leadership will enable you to activate the full potential of your people & teams making you more effective, innovative and resilient in the face of change.
Our mission is teaching people & organizations how to lead in a more democratic way to reach their goals, fulfill purpose, and straighten our collective democratic capacity.
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Action-Packed, Practical Learning
Our workshops and programs are based on tacit teaching pedagogy. We use action learning, interactive exercises, simulations and real-world assignments to enbale you to learn.
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Learn from Experts
Our trainers come from practice! It's a very different experience when you are learning from someone who already practiced what they are teaching you.
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Comprehensive Leadership Framework
Democratic Leadership Framework is based on science, research and practice. It's focused on immediate practicability of everything we teach in in our workshops.  
Nikola Ilic

We are a world-wide community & a movement for democratizing leadership, bringing innovative approaches in change management & leadership development

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Pulse of Change

Free Leadership Insights on a weekly basis!

Join the community of 10k change-makers for free weekly newsletter -  5 minute practical insights on how to become an empowering, inspiring, adaptive Democratic Leader. No BS, just action-oriented stuff.
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LeadUp

enabling millions to practice democracy daily
LeadUp will be a self-paced learning platform focused on developing democratic leaders across all sectors at scale. Action learning, community learning to enable individuals & organizations reach their full potential.
Website coming soon

Three Pillars of our Work

Our leadership development programs and workshops are built on the innovative and effective Democratic Leadership framework, enabling your organization to elevate the talent of every individual and team.

Deep Democracy (Democracy 2.0)

Going beyond traditional democratic practices to inspire and create meaningful participation, trust and co-creation at every level.

Building Individual & Collective Agency (Empowerment)

Effective leaders don't have all the answers, but they must enable all the talents. Enabling people and teams to realize their potential.

Redefining Power and Authority

Changing the paradigm of how power is used, moving from top-down control to shared leadership and responsibility to foster interdependency and collaboration.

Deep Democracy (Democracy 2.0)

Going beyond traditional democratic practices to inspire and create meaningful participation, trust and co-creation at every level.

Building Individual & Collective Agency (Empowerment)

Effective leaders don't have all the answers, but they must enable all the talents. Enabling people and teams to realize their potential.

Redefining Power and Authority

Changing the paradigm of how power is used, moving from top-down control to shared leadership and responsibility to foster interdependency and collaboration.
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Programs Overview

Fellowships img

Leadership Fellowships

Immersive, long-term learning experiences to build skills, adaptive mindsets, and collaborative networks. Action learning and simulations.

Duration: 3–9 months
Structure: 6–12 workshops (2h/session)
Format: Online, in-person, or hybrid
Cohort Size: 10–45
Book orientation call
Workshops img

Stand-Alone Workshops

Targeted, high-impact sessions to address specific challenges. Our workshops are interactive and actionable with real-world applications.

Duration: 2 hours to multi-day
Format: Online or in-person
Audience Size: 10–100 participants
Book orientation call
Community building img

Community Building

Build trust and engagement among your employees, citizens or stakeholders to create strong, collaborative spaces.

Key offerings:
Stakeholder engagement, trust-building exercises, and movement building.
Book orientation call

Some of the topics we cover in our workshops

Adaptive leadership

difficult conversations

power & authority

Ethical Leadership

Systems Thinking

Emotional Intelligence

Coaching Mindset

identity & purpose

Tacit Teaching: Learning by Taking Action & Going Through Experiences Together

Our approach is focused on immediate application of what you have learned, and then debriefing the action for additional deeper learning.

Experiential Learning

We focus on Tacit Learning, which emphasizes hands-on, practical experiences. Our interactive workshops and real-world applications ensure that participants develop and apply their skills effectively.

Customized and Practical Solutions

Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual or organization. We integrate proven leadership frameworks and adapt our offer to ensure maximum relevance and impact.

Empowerment and Inclusivity

Our approach prioritizes the empowerment of others and inclusive environments. We aim to develop leaders who inspire those around them, enabling everyone to contribute to and benefit from collective growth.

Immediate Impact

Each workshop is designed so that participants plan and commit to implementing the new tool or framework in the real world immediately after or even during the session.

Leadership Fellowships:

Democratic Leadership is about creating opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential. This is achieved by fostering a structure & culture that enables power to be shared, voices to be heard, ideas to be explored, and differences to be expressed. The framework covers four main areas and sixteen sub-areas (see the picture).
Emotional maturity diagram
Collaborative capacity diagram
Ethical leadership diagramNavigating Uncertainty diagram

A Community of Experts, Educators, Activists and Practitioners

What our partners say about us

Saranya Misra

5 stars
Nikola has been an incredible teacher during my journey with the YAL program. Not only has he been inspiring in group discussions, he also has an insightful way to subtly pivot one-on-one conversations to help you get to the solution to your problem by yourself! I like to call them his jedi mind tricks.

Through simply asking probing questions, he gently guides you till you realize you had the answer all along. It's really exciting to witness. He has taught me not only to be a better leader, but also a better colleague and person.

Through him, I have learned how to phrase confrontation as conversation, how to effectively manage upwards, how to not take anything personally, and just generally embrace a more productive and holistic mindset not just in my job, but in my daily life. I cannot recommend him as a teacher highly enough!

Diego Morales

5 stars
Being a part of the YAL program with Nikola as my mentor has truly transformed my leadership skills and perspective. Through his guidance and mentorship, I have learned the importance of collaboration, empathy, and adaptability in driving meaningful change. Nikola's ability to empower and inspire me has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, take risks, and embrace innovative approaches to addressing challenges.

The most valuable aspect of the YAL program for me has been the emphasis on fostering a global mindset and understanding the diverse needs and perspectives of communities around the world, not only in Mexico or in Latin America.

I strongly encourage others to embark on this transformative journey of becoming future young leaders in UNICEF, as it not only equips you with the necessary skills but also instills a sense of purpose and passion for creating a better world for children and their families, we daily work for.

Madeleine Wollin

5 stars
The YAL program, with Nikola serving as a prominent facilitator and teacher during various deep dives into challenging subjects, has been transformative for me. It's the first time in a long while that I've experienced such significant personal development in my understanding and practice of leadership values.Being surrounded by a handpicked group of enthusiastic participants, all eager to engage and grow, has been truly inspiring. Moreover, being assigned Nikola as my coach has been exciting.

His approach, which I've witnessed in our cohort sessions, has been invaluable in scrutinizing and exploring aspects of my professional journey. I'm immensely grateful for this opportunity.
Through simply asking probing questions, he gently guides you till you realize you had the answer all along. It's really exciting to witness. He has taught me not only to be a better leader, but also a better colleague and person.

Through him, I have learned how to phrase confrontation as conversation, how to effectively manage upwards, how to not take anything personally, and just generally embrace a more productive and holistic mindset not just in my job, but in my daily life. I cannot recommend him as a teacher highly enough!

Tomoo Okubo

5 stars
My participation to the You Are Leaders was life-changing. It allowed me to access tools and mindsets that help me better at work and beyond that I cherish until today, after completing the course 3 years ago.

Nikola brings down complex theories to tools and messages that resonated with me so much. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him.

Stefan Sindelar

5 stars
Our work with Changelab Global has been truly inspiring. Seeing a Harvard and MIT-based approach, transformed into a practical method of community building with our European Change makers was a mind-boggling experience. It is most insightful to see how Nikola puts to work practical experience from projects with renowned organisations like the Obama Foundation, VOLT, UNICEF and others in different settings.

Participants appreciate the high level of engagement and the adaptive design of the workshop, based on their needs and previous experience. We hope to scale up our joint sessions to foster a resilient, Europe-wide network of democracy defenders in the coming years!

Federica Vinci

5 stars
Nikola has been a cornerstone in my leadership journey, guiding me from my early days leading a small team within Volt Europa to my role as President of Volt Italy, and now as Deputy Mayor in Isernia. His mentorship enabled me to align my leadership with my core values, confronting and refining the more challenging aspects of my ego with grace and insight.

The most impactful aspect of working with Nikola was our discussions on leadership development and the nature of ego. These conversations provided me with a profound understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, empowering me to leverage them in achieving my goals. Nikola's guidance has been invaluable, not only in my professional growth but also in leading a life true to my values.

Natia Navrouzov

5 stars
Meeting Nikola was definitely one of the best parts in my journey as an Europe Obama Leader. From the first time of meeting him online to the first time we met in person, he always managed to give me a feeling of importance and empowerment.

He knows how to ask the right questions and to guide one into answers we often already have within ourselves. He was often able to put words on challenges I didn’t really know how to express. Beyond our relationship at the foundation, I consider him as a mentor to whom I always feel comfortable reaching out to ask for advice and guidance.

Lori Winters

5 stars
I had the pleasure of working with Nikola for nine months through the You Are Leaders Program. The coaching sessions in particular were a game-changer for me. Nikola’s personalized approach provided me with the insights and tools I needed to take the next steps in my leadership journey. Nearly a year later, I am still employing what he taught me and know his guidance will continue to have a lasting impact on my work.

Inti Tonatiuh Rioja Guzman

5 stars
The work is deep and with strong results. I can describe it as looking in a mirror and knowing that you have something you don't like, but for some reason, you don't dare to adjust it. In each session, you get closer to your image and what you really want to see while understanding what exists underneath. Growing up isn't easy, but it's not something you should do alone either. That's why working with Nikola and his team has helped to clarify the image in my mirror.

Karim Pedersan

5 stars
Participating in the Obama Leaders program has been a life-changing experience for me. In Nikola, I found an invaluable mentor whose dedication to fostering leadership skills among emerging changemakers profoundly shaped my approach to leadership.

Through our many sessions, I learned the importance of empathy in leadership, the power of diverse teams, and the necessity of resilience in facing challenges. The program was not only inspiring but also equipped me with the tools and confidence to lead with purpose.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from Nikola. The experience has honed my leadership abilities and reinforced my commitment to contributing positively to the world. I highly recommend ChangeLab Global to anyone looking for an opportunity to grow as a leader and make a meaningful difference.

Daniel Matteo

5 stars
Working with Nikola & ChangeLab on a program for young political leaders was an insightful and humbling experience that significantly shaped my approach to leadership. Always learning something new when working with Nikola, be it the practical tactics, strategies or simply way of showing up in the team and toward participants.

Maryann Wanjau

5 stars
The You Are Leaders program has made me evaluate my perception of leadership in a delightfully unexpected way. Words such as authority, trust, and leadership hold much more meaning now than they did before listening to the YAL leaders present on different topics and engaging in group discussions during each module.

The Immunity to Change exercise is a practical tool learned with the YAL team that I look forward to incorporating in my work with youth leaders. My one-on-one coaching sessions with Nikola were truly transformative, as they pushed me to reframe my thinking patterns and identify the internal thoughts that were the root of my professional and personal challenges.

I would recommend the You Are Leaders program to anyone interested, with the expectation of being challenged in the best way.

Manon T.

5 stars
I was coached by Nikola as part of my participation in UNICEF's You are Leaders Programme. As my first coach, Nikola provided me with powerful tools to lead my career as a young professional. A very grounded and friendly coach, he embodies the serenity and the confidence I was looking for in myself.

His questions allowed me to see the issues I was facing in a very different light and our discussions led me to uncover my internal resources and to challenge my beliefs. His insights and thoughtful questions were very impactful for my professional and personal growth.

I would highly recommend working with Nikola, especially if you are looking to embark on a self-discovery and empowering introspective journey.

Kevin Hale

5 stars
My team at citiesRISE worked with Changelab to develop and deliver capacity building series for our Global Youth Network, with a focus on mobilizing communities around the world toward mental health promotion. Nikola and Ljubica facilitated six workshops that were structured and tailored to our diverse audience of young leaders representing 5 countries.

In collaborating with Changelab, our team built a sense of clarity, shared vision and values, and strategy for achieving our initiatives goals of community mobilization. When we felt stuck or needed further support, Nikola and Ljubica were available for tailored, individualized coaching to support progress and refine our strategies.

Our team is immensely grateful for the experience and we continuously apply the principles and tools that we learned from our engagement with Changelab.
Arrow left
Arrow right

Saranya Misra

5 stars
Nikola has been an incredible teacher during my journey with the YAL program. Not only has he been inspiring in group discussions, he also has an insightful way to subtly pivot one-on-one conversations to help you get to the solution to your problem by yourself! I like to call them his jedi mind tricks.

Through simply asking probing questions, he gently guides you till you realize you had the answer all along. It's really exciting to witness. He has taught me not only to be a better leader, but also a better colleague and person.

Through him, I have learned how to phrase confrontation as conversation, how to effectively manage upwards, how to not take anything personally, and just generally embrace a more productive and holistic mindset not just in my job, but in my daily life. I cannot recommend him as a teacher highly enough!

Diego Morales

5 stars
Being a part of the YAL program with Nikola as my mentor has truly transformed my leadership skills and perspective. Through his guidance and mentorship, I have learned the importance of collaboration, empathy, and adaptability in driving meaningful change. Nikola's ability to empower and inspire me has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, take risks, and embrace innovative approaches to addressing challenges.

The most valuable aspect of the YAL program for me has been the emphasis on fostering a global mindset and understanding the diverse needs and perspectives of communities around the world, not only in Mexico or in Latin America.

I strongly encourage others to embark on this transformative journey of becoming future young leaders in UNICEF, as it not only equips you with the necessary skills but also instills a sense of purpose and passion for creating a better world for children and their families, we daily work for.

Madeleine Wollin

5 stars
The YAL program, with Nikola serving as a prominent facilitator and teacher during various deep dives into challenging subjects, has been transformative for me. It's the first time in a long while that I've experienced such significant personal development in my understanding and practice of leadership values.Being surrounded by a handpicked group of enthusiastic participants, all eager to engage and grow, has been truly inspiring. Moreover, being assigned Nikola as my coach has been exciting.

His approach, which I've witnessed in our cohort sessions, has been invaluable in scrutinizing and exploring aspects of my professional journey. I'm immensely grateful for this opportunity.
Through simply asking probing questions, he gently guides you till you realize you had the answer all along. It's really exciting to witness. He has taught me not only to be a better leader, but also a better colleague and person.

Through him, I have learned how to phrase confrontation as conversation, how to effectively manage upwards, how to not take anything personally, and just generally embrace a more productive and holistic mindset not just in my job, but in my daily life. I cannot recommend him as a teacher highly enough!

Tomoo Okubo

5 stars
My participation to the You Are Leaders was life-changing. It allowed me to access tools and mindsets that help me better at work and beyond that I cherish until today, after completing the course 3 years ago.

Nikola brings down complex theories to tools and messages that resonated with me so much. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him.

Stefan Sindelar

5 stars
Our work with Changelab Global has been truly inspiring. Seeing a Harvard and MIT-based approach, transformed into a practical method of community building with our European Change makers was a mind-boggling experience. It is most insightful to see how Nikola puts to work practical experience from projects with renowned organisations like the Obama Foundation, VOLT, UNICEF and others in different settings.

Participants appreciate the high level of engagement and the adaptive design of the workshop, based on their needs and previous experience. We hope to scale up our joint sessions to foster a resilient, Europe-wide network of democracy defenders in the coming years!

Federica Vinci

5 stars
Nikola has been a cornerstone in my leadership journey, guiding me from my early days leading a small team within Volt Europa to my role as President of Volt Italy, and now as Deputy Mayor in Isernia. His mentorship enabled me to align my leadership with my core values, confronting and refining the more challenging aspects of my ego with grace and insight.

The most impactful aspect of working with Nikola was our discussions on leadership development and the nature of ego. These conversations provided me with a profound understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, empowering me to leverage them in achieving my goals. Nikola's guidance has been invaluable, not only in my professional growth but also in leading a life true to my values.

Manon T.

5 stars
I was coached by Nikola as part of my participation in UNICEF's You are Leaders Programme. As my first coach, Nikola provided me with powerful tools to lead my career as a young professional. A very grounded and friendly coach, he embodies the serenity and the confidence I was looking for in myself.

His questions allowed me to see the issues I was facing in a very different light and our discussions led me to uncover my internal resources and to challenge my beliefs. His insights and thoughtful questions were very impactful for my professional and personal growth.

I would highly recommend working with Nikola, especially if you are looking to embark on a self-discovery and empowering introspective journey.

Kevin Hale

5 stars
My team at citiesRISE worked with Changelab to develop and deliver capacity building series for our Global Youth Network, with a focus on mobilizing communities around the world toward mental health promotion. Nikola and Ljubica facilitated six workshops that were structured and tailored to our diverse audience of young leaders representing 5 countries.

In collaborating with Changelab, our team built a sense of clarity, shared vision and values, and strategy for achieving our initiatives goals of community mobilization. When we felt stuck or needed further support, Nikola and Ljubica were available for tailored, individualized coaching to support progress and refine our strategies.

Our team is immensely grateful for the experience and we continuously apply the principles and tools that we learned from our engagement with Changelab.

Natia Navrouzov

5 stars
Meeting Nikola was definitely one of the best parts in my journey as an Europe Obama Leader. From the first time of meeting him online to the first time we met in person, he always managed to give me a feeling of importance and empowerment.

He knows how to ask the right questions and to guide one into answers we often already have within ourselves. He was often able to put words on challenges I didn’t really know how to express. Beyond our relationship at the foundation, I consider him as a mentor to whom I always feel comfortable reaching out to ask for advice and guidance.

Lori Winters

5 stars
I had the pleasure of working with Nikola for nine months through the You Are Leaders Program. The coaching sessions in particular were a game-changer for me. Nikola’s personalized approach provided me with the insights and tools I needed to take the next steps in my leadership journey. Nearly a year later, I am still employing what he taught me and know his guidance will continue to have a lasting impact on my work.

Inti Tonatiuh Rioja Guzman

5 stars
The work is deep and with strong results. I can describe it as looking in a mirror and knowing that you have something you don't like, but for some reason, you don't dare to adjust it. In each session, you get closer to your image and what you really want to see while understanding what exists underneath. Growing up isn't easy, but it's not something you should do alone either. That's why working with Nikola and his team has helped to clarify the image in my mirror.

Karim Pedersan

5 stars
Participating in the Obama Leaders program has been a life-changing experience for me. In Nikola, I found an invaluable mentor whose dedication to fostering leadership skills among emerging changemakers profoundly shaped my approach to leadership.

Through our many sessions, I learned the importance of empathy in leadership, the power of diverse teams, and the necessity of resilience in facing challenges. The program was not only inspiring but also equipped me with the tools and confidence to lead with purpose.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn from Nikola. The experience has honed my leadership abilities and reinforced my commitment to contributing positively to the world. I highly recommend ChangeLab Global to anyone looking for an opportunity to grow as a leader and make a meaningful difference.

Daniel Matteo

5 stars
Working with Nikola & ChangeLab on a program for young political leaders was an insightful and humbling experience that significantly shaped my approach to leadership. Always learning something new when working with Nikola, be it the practical tactics, strategies or simply way of showing up in the team and toward participants.

Maryann Wanjau

5 stars
The You Are Leaders program has made me evaluate my perception of leadership in a delightfully unexpected way. Words such as authority, trust, and leadership hold much more meaning now than they did before listening to the YAL leaders present on different topics and engaging in group discussions during each module.

The Immunity to Change exercise is a practical tool learned with the YAL team that I look forward to incorporating in my work with youth leaders. My one-on-one coaching sessions with Nikola were truly transformative, as they pushed me to reframe my thinking patterns and identify the internal thoughts that were the root of my professional and personal challenges.

I would recommend the You Are Leaders program to anyone interested, with the expectation of being challenged in the best way.
Arrow left
Arrow right