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Leadership Reconceptualised: How Regent Business School Is Shaping Future-Ready Leaders

Modern Leadership in South Africa

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Leadership is one of those words that gets tossed around in every boardroom, classroom, and motivational speech. 

But when Regent Business School (RBS) sat down to develop its new MBA programme, one thing became clear: it’s easy to say leadership matters. But defining what it actually means, especially in the context of modern leadership in South Africa, is far more complex.

What followed was more than just curriculum planning. It sparked a deep dive into the very nature of leadership, its place in business education, and its relevance in a post-pandemic, globalised world.

What is modern leadership in South Africa? 

As the RBS task team got into the thick of planning, something unexpected happened. The focus shifted from curriculum design to a bigger question: “What do we really mean by leadership?”

The discussions touched on everything from whether leaders are born or made to whether inclusive business leadership is more effective than top-down, traditional models. It also brought up questions around:

  • The role of emotional intelligence and personal mastery.
  • The need for collaborative decision-making.
  • How ethical leadership in Africa differs from global norms.
  • Whether leadership is a personal trait or an organisational culture.

     

Rather than finding one clear answer, the team realised something powerful – leadership needs to be reconceptualised, not just redefined.

Global realities are shaping the next generation of leaders

Any serious look at leadership today can’t ignore global influences. Globalisation, the financial crisis, and more recently the post-pandemic leadership landscape, have shown us that the world is volatile, interconnected, and unpredictable.

Modern leaders need to operate in this dynamic world. They must think globally while staying grounded in their local realities. 

It’s not enough to understand economics anymore, they must grasp systems thinking, navigate cultural nuance, and be comfortable making decisions under uncertainty.

That’s why RBS is championing a model of leadership inside the MBA programme that’s rooted in transformational learning, purpose-driven business, and a strong sense of social responsibility.

A new kind of leader for a new kind of world

The world doesn’t need more figureheads, it needs adaptive, human-centred, and responsible leaders. Leaders who:

  • Champion sustainability in leadership and ethical decision-making.
  • Inspire action through personal mastery and emotional intelligence.
  • Understand how to retain talent in a knowledge-based, global economy.
  • Embrace intergenerational leadership and the challenges of a diverse workforce.
  • See leadership as a collective process, not a solo journey.

     

This is the kind of leadership RBS is building into its MBA programme, and beyond.

Leadership as a collective practice

One of the most compelling internal debates focused on whether leadership is a solo act or a collective process. 

Some argue that leaders are born. Others advocated for a mutually inclusive view, one in which leadership is shaped by the interactions between individuals and their organisations.

The RBS team embraced the idea that collaborative decision-making and leadership agility are far more effective than outdated, top-down models. It’s not simply the presence of a charismatic figure that drives success – it’s the collective culture of leadership that matters.

Transforming business education with purpose

Regent Business School is actively reshaping the leadership conversation across Africa. Its MBA programme and broader academic offering are grounded in critical themes such as:

  • Post-pandemic leadership and resilience.
  • Leadership epistemology and pedagogy for a changing world.
  • Decolonised education that centres African perspectives and knowledge systems.
  • The future of visionary business education.
  • Equipping graduates to lead with integrity, agility, and cultural intelligence.

     

This isn’t just about learning to lead – it’s about leading with impact.

FAQ

What kind of leadership model does Regent promote?

Regent Business School promotes a human-centred, ethically grounded, and globally responsive leadership model that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century

It emphasises inclusive business leadership, responsible leadership, and emotional intelligence, while encouraging leaders to be adaptive, socially aware, and purpose-driven. 

This model is informed by transformational learning, systems thinking, and a deep understanding of cultural diversity, sustainability, and global economic shifts. 

Importantly, Regent’s leadership framework challenges traditional views by integrating decolonised education and social justice leadership as core to developing visionary leaders for Africa and the world.

Is leadership taught across all Regent programmes?

While leadership is a key theme in the new MBA curriculum, the ethos of leadership development extends across Regent Business School’s broader academic offering. 

Leadership is treated not just as a standalone subject but as an integrated learning outcome – woven into multiple programmes to prepare graduates for real-world challenges. 

The school encourages personal mastery, collaborative decision-making, and ethical practice across disciplines, recognising that leadership is essential in all professional contexts, not just at the executive level.

What industries can benefit from this new leadership approach?

This leadership approach is highly adaptable and can benefit a wide range of industries, including but not limited to:

  • Finance and banking – through ethical leadership and restoring trust post-crisis.

     

  • Healthcare – where human-centred leadership and emotional intelligence are critical.

     

  • Education – through transformational learning and inclusive practices.

     

  • Technology and innovation – with a need for adaptive leadership in business.

     

  • Public sector and NGOs – where social justice leadership and systems thinking are vital for impact.

     

  • Entrepreneurship and SMEs – by fostering purpose-driven business and sustainable growth.

     

  • Global trade and development – where leaders must engage with intercultural understanding and global economic complexities.

     

Ultimately, any sector navigating change, uncertainty, and complexity will benefit from the visionary business education and leadership philosophy being cultivated at Regent Business School.

Final thoughts: Leadership is a journey, not a destination

If there’s one thing Regent’s planning team agrees on, it’s this: leadership is dynamic. It must be understood holistically, with every piece – emotional, ethical, cultural, strategic – working together.

As RBS trains the next generation of African and global leaders, its goal is clear: to offer not just an MBA but a transformative learning experience that helps students lead with purpose, integrity, and impact.

Whether you’re a business owner, executive, policymaker, or aspiring changemaker, this new approach to leadership is for you. Have a deeper look at REGENT’s Master of Business Administration.

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