A year long reinvention of a traditional MBA for executives, change makers and leaders to develop the skills, networks and mindset to lead purpose-driven organisations in a complex world.
The Mastery of Business & Empathy equips you to navigate this moment by expanding your horizons, building meaningful connections, and deepening your impact in the world.
Developed in partnership with global champions, the MBE extends the traditional MBA to build the leaders we need for a better world. It will equip you with the tools, strategies, networks and philosophies to successfully lead in today’s changing world.
If you’re interested in learning more about the MBE, we’d love to speak with you. Book a call with our team.
“The MBE has truly transformed my life, and I'm endlessly grateful for this experience and opportunity to be part of this community. We had the chance to see similarities and strengths, and why coming at challenges from different perspectives can be so valuable in creating innovative solutions.” – 2023 graduate
We live in an historic moment of turmoil, transition and opportunity: a climate and biodiversity emergency threatens the planet and our world remains a vastly unequal place, however history tells us that in moments of great uncertainty and pain, extraordinary progress can be born.
Our vision is to build the Next Economy – a system of leadership and governance that supports human flourishing while living in harmony with the natural world.
“The MBE has really helped me to get clear on my theory for change and what my next steps are. I've experienced so much growth this year and can really feel myself changing as a person, to reflect the authentic me. It has been a huge honour to make life long friends through the MBE and to feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself.” - 2024 graduate
We have no formal pre-requisites and base our application process on diversity, lived experience and vision for a better future. We are looking to work with leaders who are ready to guide their organisation towards a better world for people and the planet. You may be:
- A senior executive navigating complex change
- A founder building a purpose-driven company
- A leader transitioning toward impact work
- A board member shaping organisational governance
- A change maker working across business and society
- An artist, creative, or someone ready to use their influence to shepherd in a safe and just world
At the end of this 12-month transformational journey, you will:
- Develop systems thinking leadership skills
- Design purpose-driven organisational strategies
- Build networks with global impact leaders
- Better lead organisations aligned with people and planet
"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 expeciting from our leaders."
"We're bringing together people with these ideas and views and by the end of the program they have redesigned their organisations redesigned their thinking processes."
"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."
"Empathy isn’t a soft skill — it’s a survival tool for the leaders we need now"
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Through an interactive blend of live virtual sessions, group work, coaching and transformative retreats we will explore the role of community and culture, the power of storytelling and communication, the magic of purpose-led operations and governance, the complexity of decision-making and strategy, the potential of finance, and the critical importance of imagination, creativity and flow. The MBE is a 12-month program running from the end of August with each content module held virtually via Zoom. Each module is split into four weekly sessions with 3 hours of contact time per week. There will also be at least one week between each module for integration, reflection and homework.
Our time together will include globally renowned and expert guest speakers, one on one coaching, case studies and group work. Participants can expect an immersive, participatory and peer-to-peer driven experience. There will be a pre-reading pack shared for each module and participants will complete projects and reflections outside our contact hours (an additional 3 hours per week). We will also come together for two experiential in-person retreats in Australia.
"My biggest takeaway and transformation through the MBE was being able to imagine and strategise as a priority, explore regenerative business practices and relationships, and taking the risk to construct a target and implement it. I feel renewed as a person, a worker and a citizen of our world.” – 2023 graduate
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With a background in organisational strategy, gender lens investing, and leadership development, Tamsin has advised the Premier of South Australia and gone on to co-create several global initiatives including the inclusive innovation hub Workshop17, TheBoardroom Africa, and The Rallying Cry—shifting capital at the intersection of gender, nature, and climate.
Tamsin holds an MBA from the University of Oxford, where she was a scholar at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. She brings a deep commitment to inner work and outer change, helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity, care, and courage.
Simon is a Leadership and Culture Specialist. He’s a coach and advisor, change agent, master facilitator and culture practitioner with 20 years of experience with small, medium, and large organisations in insurance, finance, energy, retail and philanthropic sectors.
He has an MBA, is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an accredited practitioner in change methodologies.
Gayle and her Global Leadership Foundation co-founder, Malcolm Lazenby, are passionate about and committed to making a positive difference to people, organisations and communities – both locally and globally. They each bring over 30 years of experience and internationally recognised expertise in developing, strengthening and transforming individuals, teams, organisations and communities.
As a ‘for purpose’ organisation and a certified B Corp, Global Leadership Foundation, uses its business as a “force for good”, placing its profit each year into a philanthropic fund for the development of leaders in community. It’s pro-bono and low bono work also strengthens and supports individuals, organisations and communities to build compassionate and sustainable approaches to leadership and life.
Global Leadership Foundation along with its Global Fellows, works with boards, and senior leaders all over the world in a range of areas, including: transformational leadership and change in individuals and organisations, strategic planning and development, emotional health and leadership resilience, leading through facilitating, strengthening collaboration, and board and executive mentoring and coaching.
Joel is the former CEO of Roadshow Films having spent thirty years working in the film industry across distribution, development and production here is Australia as well as internationally.Joel has served on the Board of numerous arts organisations including the Australian Centre For The Moving Image, the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as a member of AMPAS (The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences).
This 12-month immersive program includes:
- Two in-person retreats in Australia (meals and accommodation included, travel costs are excluded)
- Networking and learning from industry experts and leaders from around the world
- One virtual retreat
- Ongoing coaching and support
- Peers from around the world who are ready to reshape business for the next economy
- Workbooks, reading materials, video recordings, and ongoing access to a comprehensive online learning platform
The Mastery of Business & Empathy program is offered at $25,800 (GST Inclusive).
We offer partial scholarships to ensure the program remains accessible to a diverse community of changemakers. If you'd like to learn more about the program and scholarship opportunities, we invite you to book a call with our team. We're here to support you in finding the right path forward and answering any questions you may have about the program experience.
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If you’re interested in learning more about the MBE, we’d love to speak with you.
Book a call with our team, register for our information evening, or sign up to learn more about the journey of our MBE program.
Accelerating the personal and professional evolution of your top talent builds a resilient and agile organisation that’s ready for the future.
Sponsor your employee to complete a Mastery of Business and Empathy (MBE) and join a fellowship of outstanding leaders re-imagining business for a rapidly changing world.
Completing the Mastery of Business and Empathy is just the beginning of your journey. Our Fellowship is made up of leaders who integrate wisdom and action to support each other, co-create learning opportunities and actively collaborate on impactful projects for a more hopeful future.
Small Giants is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
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