Ubuntu Leadership and Western Leadership with Dr. Rob Elkington
Explore Ubuntu and Western leadership approaches to understand whether they are truly as different as North and South—and why that difference matters.
Event Details
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Online/Virtual
Cost: Free
Leadership Matters: Ubuntu Leadership and Western Leadership
Explore Ubuntu and Western leadership and cultural insights that help us determine if they are as different as North and South, and why it matters.
Nelson Mandela suggested that Ubuntu is Africa's gift to the world. Claire Oppenheim, in her 2012 article, indicated that Ubuntu was the paradigm that informed Mandela's leadership. This webinar describes and discusses the Ubuntu of the abaBemba people in its original sitz im leben as a decolonizing motif. The webinar then looks at how the notion of Ubuntu still permeates African leadership theory and how this values-based leadership provides another rich leadership framework in the midst of what might be deemed another period of "gentle" colonization.
Presenter:
Rob Elkington, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the School of Business and the Master of Management program at Trent University, Durham campus, Canada. Originally from Zimbabwe and South Africa, Rob brings a rich global perspective to his teaching and research in leadership studies. He also holds academic appointments as an Extraordinary Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University's School of Public Leadership. Rob’s research explores the evolving intersection of leadership and technology, with current projects focusing on AI-driven organizational leadership, Ubuntu leadership philosophy, the application of META in military leadership development, and symbolic leadership in liminal contexts. His work also examines e-leadership in Canadian business schools, diversity facilitation through Ubuntu and the Diversity Icebreaker, and transformational leadership in data modernization within policing. Rob has authored four leadership books with Emerald Publishing, contributed five book chapters, and published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. He is an active member of the International Leadership Association and a certified FLOW Business Coach through the International Coaching Federation.
Leadership Matters Series:
This virtual lecture series is hosted by Trent University Library & Archives and the Trent Leadership & Democracy Lab. The series highlights diverse perspectives on leadership with the goal of sparking dialogue, sharing knowledge, and bridging leadership research with practice. Join leadership scholars, experts, and practitioners who showcase a diverse range of leadership expertise. View the full schedule of upcoming webinars.
Contact Info
Trent University Library & Archives