From Cross-Cultural Competence to Global Leadership

Accomplished Global Leaders have developed their ability to lead anyone, anywhere at any time.

Cross-cultural management focuses on improving teams’ efficiency by considering cultures as universes of meaning. Understanding such cultural variations and differences adds to a leader’s repertoire of knowledge and skills.

In the face of cultural differences situations, researchers* have identified three leadership strategies: laissez-faire leadership: when cross cultural differences are ignored and not managed; ad hoc leadership: a pragmatic way of handling cultural differences when they occur; common team culture leadership.

Bi-cultural leaders have a “birth advantage” in deciphering cultural variations and bridging differences. However, leaders who are not born bicultural can develop bi- or even multi- culturalism through social and work experiences, as well as personal coaching.

*Leading global teams (2012), Zander L., Mockaitis A. I., Butler, C.L. JWB, 47; 592-604 - Cross-cultural management in multinational project groups, Chevrier, S. (2003), . JWB, 38; 141-149