The teaching methodology used in Erhard et al (2022) course is ontological and phenomenological. This is distinct from psychology, evolutionary, economic, or neuro-scientific perspectives.
An epistemological mastery of a subject leaves us knowing conceptually. An ontological mastery of a subject leaves us being.
As in BEING a bicycle rider.. as apposed to knowing the theory, explanation, concepts, and descriptions of riding a bicycle, which does not give us direct access to effectively ride a bicycle.
This is not to say that one is better than the other they simply produce different results. The description, concepts and theories of a leader and leadership are distinct from ontological / phenomenological approach in that the latter provides direct actionable access to the world of leader and leadership.
This is the difference between teaching the characteristics and styles of noteworthy leaders in an attempt to emulate them. Or we can discover for ourselves a framework that gives us the being and actions of leader. See contextual framework.
Reference
Erhard, Werner and Jensen, Michael C. and Zaffron, Steve and Echeverria, Jeronima, Course Materials for: ‘Being a Leader and the Effective Exercise of Leadership: An Ontological/Phenomenological Model’ (October 4, 2022). Harvard Business School NOM Working Paper No. 09-038, Simon School Working Paper No. 08-03, Barbados Group Working Paper No. 08-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1263835 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1263835