As organizations become more global in scope and more complex in nature, establishing a culture of trust and high workplace civility are becoming more important. As leaders and managers in organizations it is important that we embody, build on and emulate competencies and characteristics necessary for fostering a work environment of high trust and civility. This opening plenary session will focus on emerging leadership trends, competencies and the factors that strengthen trust at organizational level. Leadership trends will be taken from a pilot project conducted in 2018 inviting leaders and managers from different African countries to share their leadership challenges, trends and tips.