Responsible Leadership

What do responsible leaders do that sets them apart from others?

According to the King III Report on Corporate Governance, they build sustainable businesses by having regard for the company’s economic, social and environmental impact, they reflect on the role of business in society, they do business ethically rather than merely being satisfied with legal or regulatory compliance, they do not compromise the natural environment and the livelihood of future generations and they embrace a shared future with all the company’s stakeholders.

Training & development

We offer workshops on Responsible Leadership and Governance and Ethics. These workshops are available as modules in USB-ED’s open enrolment and partnership programmes as well as in a stand-alone format.

Advisory & consulting services

The centre supports responsible leaders in their efforts to:

embed a culture of responsibility and sustainability into the mission, vision, values, strategy and operations of their organisations
source and implement relevant global and/or national voluntary codes and regulatory frameworks
steer organisational development to reflect a commitment to responsible leadership and sustainable development.

Research & thought leadership

Our current research is about meaningful perspectives on and helpful models for responsible leadership in the African context.

We work with local and global partners such as the following:

the GRLI (Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative) based in Belgium,

CCL (Center for Creative Leadership)in the USA,

the Centre for Responsible Leadership at the University of Pretoria,

and the Ethics Institute of South Africa in Pretoria.

Upcoming events...

8th Annual ASTD International Conference
14 - 16 March 2012 @ Drakensberg
The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) will present its 8th international conference and exhibition in March 2012. International speakers and local experts will present workshops on innovative thinking and sustainable practices. Dr Arnold Smit, head of USB-ED's Centre for Business in Society will present workshops on Collaborative Practices for Sustainability Strategies and Leading Change for Sustainability.
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Management Programme for NPOs
21 - 25 May 2012 @ USB, Cape Town
This programme for Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) is a corporate social initiative programme which aims to develop the managerial skills of NPO managers. The objective of this programme is to promote social development and education in South Africa by enhancing managerial effectiveness, service delivery and good governance within the NPO sector.
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Of interest...

At Davos, Why Is No One Talking About the Poor?
Unfair trade practices and poor working conditions in the developing world, issues that dominated the WEF agenda a decade ago, haven't been raised at all. Instead, the conversation is acutely focused on the plight of the Western worker. Read more

How leaders kill meaning at work
Senior executives routinely undermine creativity, productivity, and commitment by damaging the inner work lives of their employees in four avoidable ways.
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Corporate Reporting Gets a New Framework for the 21st Century
The new guidelines from the International Integrated Reporting Committee reflects the changing demands stakeholders put on corporations, with an emphasis on clear and concise green reporting.
Read more