Common Purpose
Learning and Development in Cape Town

Common Purpose runs Meridian, a leadership development course for senior leaders in cities in South Africa.

Participants gaining insight into design, technology and innovation at a Jaguar Land Rover factory. Our programmes help leaders develop their Cultural Intelligence. We run leadership development programmes that inspire and equip people to work across boundaries. Common Purpose combines an extensive global network with an intense local focus. On all our programmes, participants go out into cities to learn about real leadership, from real leaders. The 65,000 Common Purpose Alumni worldwide are better equipped as leaders, and this has a positive impact on the organizations and cities that they operate in. They are able to build broader networks, make better decisions and drive bold innovation. Even though Diversity and Inclusion is a top priority, many organizations are beginning to realize that a truly inclusive culture is a hard thing to achieve, writes Aditi Bhat. We run a range of leadership development programmes for students, emerging leaders and senior leaders. It is a place where people come together and act for the greater good. And it is open to everyone, from every sector of society. People leave the decisions to governments.They are active in their private lives, but passive towards the world around them. It teems with individuals, businesses, community organizations and political groups. At Common Purpose, we have a passionate belief in the importance of this space. Involving the best leadership from all parts of the community. We develop leaders who can lead beyond their direct area of authority. Who can lead partnerships as well as organizations. Who can sustain broader perspectives and who are confident in making connections between quite different groups of people and reconciling different worlds. We believe that they will then be able to counterbalance the forces of fragmentation in society, getting communities to work better together. Our independence is reflected in our governance, finances, partnerships, behaviour and curriculum. The internationally recognised Chatham House Rule is respected on all programmes as an aid to free discussion. We would only exclude cities, organizations or individuals if they deliberately promoted the use of violence, opposed freedom of speech, or incited race or religious hatred. Common Purpose staff behave as leaders themselves, delivering quality, taking risks, building on successes adapting and evolving as society does.