The Sixth Level stands on the shoulders of its intellectual forbearers, one of whom is the psychologist Carol Gilligan. In her book, In a Different Voice (1982), Gilligan challenges traditional theories of moral development—particularly Lawrence Kohlberg’s framework, in which he associated higher morality with abstract, justice-based rules, elevating men, while often ranking women lower because they prioritized relationships and context.
Gilligan demonstrates that women frequently speak in a “different voice,” approaching moral dilemmas through an ethic of care rather than an ethic of justice. This ethic roots moral reasoning in empathy, responsibility, and maintaining interconnections, aiming to prevent harm and preserve relationships. Beyond our conventional understanding of care, which posits the sacrifice of self for the care of others, Gilligan asserts that a mature ethic of care Integrates self-care with care for others, recognizing self and others as interconnected. Gilligan concludes that both justice and care perspectives are essential, advocating for a holistic understanding of human moral development.
Carol Gilligan’s ethic of care fundamentally shifts moral psychological theory by replacing rigid, autonomous justice frameworks with an emphasis on empathy, interdependence, and maintaining relational bonds.
These insights are fundamental to The Sixth Level, which operationalizes Gilligan’s relational insights into an organizational leadership framework that elevates the social-psychological dynamics—termed “Self-In-Relation”—into essential operational differentiators for organizational success.
By grounding leadership in four core differentiators—mutuality, ingenuity, justness, and intrinsic motivation—the Sixth Level framework brings the ethic of care directly into systemic workplace practice. It replaces traditional command-and-control hierarchies with reciprocal responsibility. Rather than viewing care and connection as secondary or submissive, it demonstrates that nurturing human interconnectedness and collective well-being drives sustainable accountability, trust, and organizational excellence and success.