The business world is changing at an unprecedented pace. According to Soheil Davari at the University of Bath, management education must be reimagined in order to prepare future leaders for this complex environment, taking a new approach that focuses on hands-on learning through collaborative projects, simulations and a robust global outlook
and applied international projects, so students are prepared for the realities of working across borders. Embedding ESG into the MBA experience As the world faces a series of significant challenges such as climate change, inequality and poverty, people expect more from businesses than ever before. Today’s leaders need to understand how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues shape long-term value, risk and trust. ESG is no longer just a ‘nice to have’, but rather it is becoming a basic expectation in the business world. Consumers are making decisions based on sustainability and younger professionals are seeking employers who reflect their values, especially around climate action and social justice. As ESG grows more prominent in business, its presence in MBA education is still developing. Too often, it is treated as an optional add-on and is not fully integrated into core subjects. This limits students’ ability to see ESG as a deeply interconnected challenge; it also risks reducing it to a box-ticking exercise rather than a mindset grounded in ethics, systems thinking and long-term impact. To truly prepare students for sustainable leadership, ESG principles need to run through the whole MBA experience. That means moving beyond theory to include hands-on learning, consulting projects, sustainability audits, role plays and real-time problem-solving. These experiences bring ESG dilemmas to life, helping students to grapple with difficult trade-offs and to develop the skills to lead with purpose in uncertain times. Only then can MBA programmes produce leaders who do not just understand ESG, but who are ready to drive real, systemic change.
T he traditional MBA, with its emphasis on static case studies and linear planning, is no longer sufficient. The business world is evolving faster than ever and students must be equipped with the agility and resilience required to thrive and take a systems view of challenges in a constantly changing world. From groundbreaking technological innovations and the shifting political climate, to changing workforce expectations and increasingly demanding consumers, today’s leaders are navigating a landscape defined by uncertainty and complexity. Factor in the global dimension – which includes digital nomadism and cultural differences along with trade barriers – and the challenges multiply. Now is the time to reimagine the MBA as a space for developing agile, resilient leaders. To build these capabilities, MBA programmes should move beyond mere lectures and case studies. Instead, they need to offer hands-on learning through leadership labs, live simulation role plays and collaborative projects that reflect real organisational dynamics. Just as important is a comprehensive global outlook, through exchanges, internships
28 Ambition • ISSUE 6 • 2025
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