Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/11/2026
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Categories
** Please click here to register for this event **
Leading Through Ubuntu
Many mainstream leadership theories are shaped by Western concepts and emphasise individualism, efficiency and goal-orientation. A look at South Africa offers a different perspective: central to this is, among other things, the philosophy and worldview of Ubuntu, which emphasises connectedness, community and relational leadership. Ubuntu-based approaches demonstrate how inclusion, resilience and adaptive problem-solving can be strengthened, skills that are becoming increasingly important in a complex and uncertain world. At the same time, the experiences of post-apartheid South Africa have shaped leadership approaches that focus on transformation, ethics and reconciliation.
As part of her research semester, Steffi spent three months at Stellenbosch Business School near Cape Town. There, she lectured in a post-graduate leadership programme and exchanged views on leadership and intercultural communication with leaders from various sectors, as well as leadership academics. Together with her colleague Ivo Malzacher, this resulted in the publication Leading Through Ubuntu. South African Perspectives on Relational Leadership.
In this session, Steffi will share insights from her literature review and interviews, and invite participants to discuss cultural similarities and differences in leadership.
…
About the speaker
Stefanie Neumann is a senior lecturer and consultant specializing in executive education, leadership, and management coaching at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences’ Institute of Applied Psychology. Holding a master’s degree in political and Japanese studies from the University of Bonn, she focuses on bridging perspectives and supporting individuals in realizing their potential.
Having lived and worked in Germany, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, and Switzerland, Stefanie draws on her intercultural background to guide individuals in their development within organizational settings. She continuously advances her expertise in systemic coaching, mindfulness, and leadership, and is an active member of SIETAR Switzerland, the World Council on Intercultural and Global Competence (WCIGC), and the Professional Association for Coaching, Supervision, and Organizational Consulting (BSO) in Switzerland.