the global leadership development imperative personal swiss april 2016

The Imperative for Global Leadership

Cathy WellingsApril 2016

©The London School of International Communication

Leadership and fish?!


Definitions and expectations of leadership

• Arabic “Sheikh”, “Amir”

• Hindi “Guru”

• French “Direction”

• Russian “Rukovodtsvo”

• German “Führung”

• Lead (v) to show the way by going first (Chambers English dictionary)

• Leader (n) a person who has commanding authority or influence (Merriam-Webster)

• Leader (n) a guiding or directing head (dictionary.com)


• Leadership is universal?

• Decisive• Team-builder• Dynamic• Visionary• Intelligent• Honest• Plans ahead

GLOBE study

Cross-cultural leadership traits

• Or culturally bound?

• Risk-taking• Self-sacrificial• Ambitious• Benevolent• Enthusiastic• Sincere• Compassionate


What makes an effective global leader?

• Can speak at least two languages fluently• Has been educated overseas• Has lived and worked overseas• Has worked as part of a global team• Has innate leadership qualities• Has been to business school• Has a global mindset

cultural intelligence intercultural competence

The effective global leader?


A huge expense

• Leading financial institution $12,000 per person (x60) in-house top leadership programme

• Top name London business school £7,000 per person/5 days’ executive education

• British business school £59,000/Executive MBA programme

• Annual spend worldwide on $130 billion corporate training 35% on leadership and management


The global leadership imperative

• 86% of business leaders see leadership as a top concern with major doubts about leadership pipeline (Deloitte)

• Talent gaps and falling birth rate in most mature economies

• International experience is often a key enabler for reaching the ‘C’ suite yet attrition rates among returning expatriates remain high

• US and European senior executives cite changing individual behaviour (69%) and cultural differences (65%) as the biggest challenges when operating across borders (PwC)


How?

• Sooner and more widespread

• Contextualised

• Multi-faceted

• Ongoing

Global leadership development -solutions

What?

• Self-awarenessBeliefs, values, impact on others, knowledge gaps

• KnowledgeCultures, geo-political factors

• BehavioursNew behaviours, ways of doing business

• Mindset Ability to recognise, respond to and influence cultural perspectives


Global leadership development

Global leadership

development

Self-assessme

nt and feedback

Formal training

On the job

experience

Continuous learning

and support

Knowledge

Behaviours

Self-awareness

Mindset


Knowledge

• Cultural context, differences and similarities

• Global social, economic and political factors

• Global business savvy

• Legal knowledge


Behaviours

Interpersonal skills• Engage, connect, inspire

• Create impact

• Tune in – read others

Relationship building• Build trust and influence

people who are different• Encourage collaboration

across teams

Flexibility• Ability to ‘flex’ and adapt

natural style

• Pull people in

Drive• Goal-focused

• Clarity of vision/message

• Push people forward


Mindset

• Respect for cultural diversity• Ability to suspend

judgment• Willingness to adapt and

learn• Curiosity • Resilience


Self awareness

• Know your own biases

• Be aware of how you come across

• Reflect and learn from mistakes

Online Profiling tools

The International Profiler/WorldWork


Global leadership development – a summary

• Invest in rising global talent

• Include international assignments but with pre-departure preparation and ongoing support

• Decide what knowledge, skills and behaviours are required for your organisation – your markets, strategy and functions

• Avoid ‘canned culture’

• Maximise the diversity within the organisiation

• Make global leadership development an ongoing process rather than an occasional event


Leadership and learning are indispensible to each other. JFK“What managers do is

the same the world over.How they do it is embedded in their tradition and culture.Peter Drucker It’s not our difference that

divide us, it’s our inability to recognise, accept and celebrate those differences. Audré Lorde“


Come and visit us: Hall 5, Stand D12

For more information contact Cathy Wellings:T:+ 44 (0) 20 76054189E: [email protected]: www.lsictraining.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lsictraining.com/

the global leadership development imperative personal swiss april 2016

Leadership & Management