The Mastery of Business and Empathy challenges traditional MBA education by placing empathy at the heart of leadership for the Next Economy.
Traditional business education is getting a radical makeover. The Mastery of Business and Empathy (MBE), a 10-month leadership program created by Small Giants Academy in 2021, is challenging the conventional MBA model by placing empathy at the heart of business leadership.
“Traditional leadership has led economies and communities to significant social and environmental turmoil,” says Tamsin Jones, Head of MBE & Programs at Small Giants Academy. “The MBE responds to the urgent need for new business paradigms and creates a model for values-driven leadership in a rapidly changing world.”
The program brings together world-leading regenerative thinkers, practitioners, and wisdom keepers to share practical tools and philosophies for reinventing business for what they call the “Next Economy.” Globally renowned speakers include Nate Hagens, Nora Bateson, Daniel Schmachtenberger, Jay Coen Gilbert, and Lorna Davis, plus executives from Patagonia, B Corp, Future Super, and Greenpeace.
Traditional schools take notice
The University of Oxford’s Säid Business School recognizes the program’s significance. Bronwyn Dugtig notes: “At a time when traditional forms of leadership are failing to meet the needs of the next economy, we need to rethink business leadership education. This amazing program, the Mastery of Business and Empathy, seeks to respond to this critical moment in history and raise the bar of what we should be expecting from our leaders.”
The program’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Elle Pound, who joined the 2023 cohort while working at Rio Tinto, found the experience transformative. “The MBE reshaped how I lead,” says Elle. “It allowed me to bring a refreshed compassion and empathy to my leadership style which has accelerated my growth – both personally and professionally – and helped me to confidently step into senior roles at Rio Tinto.”
Since completing the program, Elle has been promoted to Senior Manager Social Impact with Rio Tinto, leading a team that provides technical support and strategic guidance on social impact globally. She describes the experience candidly: “The MBE is like a guerilla attack on the soul. You sign on hoping to hone your leadership skills and broaden your business acumen and are then plunged into the ice bath of deep self reflection and uncomfortable truths.”
Similarly, Jo Brick, who began her MBE in 2022 while working at the Royal Australian Air Force, credits the program with transforming her approach to leadership in national security. “The MBE changed me as a leader,” says Jo. “It taught me the importance of empathy, and understanding an issue, or the world, through different perspectives. It is the key to enriching human engagement and connection, which are essential in the work that I do as a leader and in regional engagement.”
Industry leaders endorse approach
The program’s influence reaches into various sectors. Dane O’Shanassay, Patagonia Country Director AU & NZ, emphasizes its relevance to addressing climate challenges: “The ambition required to fix the climate crisis can’t be understated. Every sector, every business, and every leader, needs to figure out how to contribute to creating a future where nature, community and commerce can thrive. The Mastery of Business and Empathy course is equipping business leaders with the tools, network, and confidence they need to do just that. I might be biased, but I think it’s one of the most important and transformational business courses out there.”
Now in its fifth year, the program continues to evolve leaders across industries. “We’re seeing a profound ripple effect of the MBE in catalysing purpose-driven business leadership,” says Tamsin. “Our alumni are pivoting careers, launching ventures, creating meaningful collaborations and steering big and bold business decisions that influence positive impact in this world.”
The MBE represents more than just an alternative to traditional business education: it’s a response to the growing recognition that empathy and systems thinking are essential skills for navigating complex global challenges. As business leaders grapple with climate change, social inequality, and economic uncertainty, programs like the MBE offer a different path forward, one that prioritizes human connection alongside profit margins.
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