Maasai Masterclass
A Unique and Distinctive Leadership Development ExperienceExperience leadership wisdom that has evolved over generations in a community living with uncertainty, scarcity and rapid change – the Maasai of Kenya.
“You are someone we can follow because you will lead us to a better place.”
What is the Maasai Masterclass?
In many organisations, smart and well‑educated people are doing their best – and still get stuck in complexity, pressure and constant change. However, the real breakthrough is when you discover the simplicity that exists when you go beyond complexity
We believe that some of the leadership wisdom we need has existed for hundreds of years in places we rarely look: in communities like the Maasai of Kenya, living with uncertainty, scarcity and disruption as a normal condition.
Maasai Masterclass invites you to step out of your usual environment, to look at leadership, power, responsibility and community from a radically different perspective – and then translate this into your own leadership practice, and to bring this back into your organisation.
Re-imagine Leadership - This programme helps you to:
Re‑imagine leadership beyond control and individual heroism.
Build stronger, more resilient communities in your organisation.
Take responsibility for impact – on people, planet and future generations.
Who are the Maasai?
- The Maasai are one of 42 tribes in Kenya. Traditionally they are nomadic pastoralists, living with their cattle in semi‑arid areas where drought, conflict and uncertainty are part of everyday life.
- Over the last decades, they have faced massive change: climate change, population pressure, tourism, education, new laws and land use patterns.
- Yet, in the middle of disruption, the Maasai have kept a strong sense of identity, community and responsibility.
- This combination of deep tradition and constant adaptation makes them powerful teachers for leaders who want to navigate complexity without losing their core.
Your learning journey
The Maasai Masterclass is not a classroom course. It is a carefully designed learning journey that combines direct encounter, guided reflection and structured dialogue.
Prepare
Before joining the Maasai Masterclass, we support you clarifying your own leadership questions and context.
Immerse
You spend time with Maasai hosts, listen, observe and participate in everyday life and conversations.
Integrate
Facilitated sessions (in person or online( and peer‑reflection circles support you in turning insights into concrete actions – for yourself, your team and your organisation. You can start immediately.
We facilitate your reflection and discussion in a way that links your personal experience in the Maasai Masterclass with the realities and challenges of your work.
What you will explore
During the Maasai Masterclass you explore six essential dimensions of leadership, each rooted in Maasai life and practice:
Community
What it means to truly belong – and how strong communities share responsibility, protect the vulnerable and hold each other accountable.
Responsibility
How Maasai leaders care for land, cattle and people, and what their stewardship mindset can teach modern leaders about long‑term responsibility.
Pride
How confident identity and deep pride in one’s heritage can coexist with curiosity and openness to change.
Courage
Physical and moral courage in a context of danger, conflict and scarce resources – and the courage it takes to make difficult decisions in organisations.
Authentic Leadership
How leaders earn the right to be followed, not by title, but by integrity, service and example.
Wisdom
How stories, rituals and elders hold long‑term wisdom that helps a community navigate disruption and uncertainty.
Who we are
Our role is to create a learning space in which Maasai meet international participants. We facilitate your reflection and discussion with Maasai Leaders. With our facilitation you will explore, understand and plan how to apply these lessons in your business.
Maasai Masterclass Kenya stands in a long tradition of leadership learning journeys created together with Maasai communities and international participants.
Frank Kretzschmar
Since 2021, Frank Kretzschmar has been further developing the Maasai Masterclass in close partnership with Maasai elders and local organisations.
Emmanuel Mankura
A key voice in Maasai Masterclass Kenya is Maasai elder Emmanuel Mankura, known internationally for his storytelling and reflections on wisdom, wealth, legacy and the future of Maasai communities.
Through Emmanuel and other local partners, participants encounter Maasai perspectives first‑hand – not as folklore, but as living practice and critical dialogue.
Chris Howe
The original Maasai Masterclass was pioneered by Chris Howe and colleagues, working over many years with Maasai leaders and organisations seeking a different kind of leadership development.
Their work showed how deeply the Maasai understanding of community, courage and responsibility can challenge and inspire leaders in business, public service and civil society.
Our principles
Respect
We approach Maasai communities as hosts and teachers.
Programmes are designed together with local partners, with clear boundaries around what is appropriate, safe and dignified for everyone involved.
Responsibility
We are committed to avoiding “poverty tourism” and simplistic storytelling.
Every programme reflects on power, privilege and impact – and supports leaders in taking responsibility for how they act after returning home.
Integrity in design
Group size, itinerary and activities are intentionally limited to what the community can hold without being overrun or instrumentalised.
We continuously review our practice with Maasai partners and critical friends to ensure the Masterclass remains a net positive for all.
No stereotypes
We explicitly work against stereotypes. Facilitated conversations and reflections address power, privilege and complexity – including difficult topics such as land, climate, gender and generational change.