Shaping Holistic, Future-Ready Leaders: Skill Set Development through the LEAP Programme

In 2025, the LEAP Leadership Development Programme, a collaboration between oikos International and PRME, brought together over 133 participants made up of undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers, from more than 50 countries, aiming to foster responsible, empathetic, and sustainable leadership. By integrating PRME’s Impactful Five (i5) characteristics of joy, meaning, social interaction, active engagement, and iteration, participants focused on developing holistic skills that support both research excellence and personal growth. For participants Huzaifah Lawal and Nardin Farouk, the experience was nothing short of transformative, expanding their sense of belonging, responsibility, and leadership readiness.​

Leading with Courage and Empathy

For Huzaifah Lawal of Bayero University Kano, LEAP was a journey of self-discovery and growth. “Leadership is not all about position, but about influence,” he reflected, describing how the programme guided him from self-awareness to self-realization, and ultimately to mentoring others to become leaders themselves.

A major transformation was his confidence to speak up. “I developed the courage to share my ideas, trust my intuition, and set healthy boundaries,” he explained. “Before LEAP, I would hesitate to challenge decisions in student council meetings or take a stand in discussions. After the Programme, I confidently suggested a new initiative to support student-led research. I also made sure to respect others’ workloads by timing requests thoughtfully, which colleagues appreciated. This simple act of setting boundaries and communicating empathetically not only reduced tension but inspired peers to do the same.”

Additionally, the Programme’s international scope left a lasting impression. “Meeting people from different nations, without any sense of inequality, made the programme unforgettable. We respected each other’s input and learned tolerance and inclusion,” he said. These experiences strengthened his belief in empathy, diversity, and cross-cultural collaboration as cornerstones of sustainable leadership. In a globalized world and workspace, the ability to work effectively with people across cultures is essential for building trust, fostering innovation, and ensuring collaboration that transcends boundaries.

Huzaifah continues to apply LEAP’s teachings in academic, administrative, and community roles. From mentoring students to setting considerate boundaries in professional interactions, he embodies a leadership style rooted in empathy, courage, and responsible action. Looking forward, he is committed to maintaining connections with mentors and peers, contributing to future cohorts, and helping realize projects that create tangible impact in communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

From Empathetic Listening to Global Perspective

Nardin Farouk, from The British University, Egypt, entered the LEAP Programme motivated by “a dream to grow leadership skills and to know what exactly I should work on.” While she already had a strong interest in sustainability and ESG issues, the programme gave her a deeper, more global understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “It changed how I approach my research and teaching. Now I consider both theory and practice, linking every action to global sustainability goals,” she reflected.

The most memorable moment for her was the Art of Listening workshop, “Communication, especially in leadership, starts with listening. Not just listening to reply, but listening with empathy”. She vividly recalled the challenge of practicing active, silent listening within her community of practice, admitting, “It was surprisingly challenging because we often listen only to respond, not to understand. That session helped me develop the skill of empathetic listening, something I’ll carry with me.”​

Another highlight included the “No” challenge, a 30-day practice where participants consciously set and protect healthy boundaries to safeguard what matters most. The exercise helped her reframe boundaries, “It taught me how saying ‘no’ isn’t about rejection, but about saying yes with understanding and respect for priorities and boundaries.” Nardin found herself continually reflecting on the ripple effects of individual choices, “LEAP helped me see sustainable leadership from a community perspective... what we do exactly is impacting a lot of people in different places... Even if I’m not in a formal leadership position, my actions can inspire others and that’s true leadership.”

The global cohort reinforced her belief in the value of inclusivity and diverse perspectives. “Meeting people from diverse backgrounds was eye-opening. Hearing different viewpoints helped me realize that no single person can see the full picture, it’s only through collaboration that we gain a holistic understanding,” she said. Looking ahead, Nardin feels equipped to lead by example and committed to staying engaged as an alumna, sharing her experiences and supporting others in their journeys towards responsible management.

Lasting Ripples of Change

Huzaifah’s and Nardin’s stories embody the heart of the LEAP Programme: personal growth, empowered leadership, and enduring global connections. As both participants emphasized, leadership is not about titles but about authenticity, empathy, and purposeful action, values that will shape future projects and communities. Their journeys, alongside more than a hundred peers, reflect the programme’s success in building a new generation of holistic leaders ready to create meaningful, sustainable change in their communities and the world.