Leadership Development For A Diverse World - How To Lead Globally

By Maynard Brusman

How to Lead Globally

Enlightened leaders now and in the future must be learning agile. They must be able to engage people with different values and perspectives.

Communicating across multi-cultural and multi-generational communities is becoming more important as a competency for leaders in the future. A lot more of managing and leading will have to be done virtually.

Only a few of the prominent business schools have begun to teach new and future leaders how to manage diverse cultures in a virtual environment. Yet this is a clearly emerging competency.

Even smaller companies will become global and be required to work in a global environment. Expect to see an increase in diversity issues arise in leadership development programs. The use of executive coaches is expected to gain priority as a primary tool for developing diversity competencies for leaders.

Dissolving Boundaries

Leadership, when simply defined, is all about bringing people together to make something happen. Effective leaders galvanize attention and get people moving forward together. However, organizations are increasingly complex. The past is no longer a map for how to do business in the future.

Leaders of the future must have an increased ability to be flexible, and open to learning. They must be able to manage the tension created by diversity and differing perspectives. They must be able to coordinate and reach consensus, while keeping the focus on common goals and values.

The global nature of business means improving our abilities to work and lead across diverse cultures. Leaders must understand the different legal, political, religious, gender and generational perspectives in different regions and countries. How do their organization’s products and services impact the people in the areas where they are doing business? Are the organization’s employees and executives able to respond to differing needs in a flexible and rapid manner? Can leaders manage the tension that is inherent in multi-cultural environments?

For many organizations having difficulty managing cultural diversity within their own domestic offices, it will be even more challenging to meet global demands. Flexible leaders who are capable of managing diverse groups of people both domestically and throughout the world will have the competitive edge.

Alliances, partnerships, mergers, and outsourcing have all changed the way we do business. Industry boundaries are blurring. Team boundaries must be fluid in order to share information and enable better decision-making. Leaders who are adept at building relationships and leveraging partnerships will have a competitive advantage for the future. The ability to guide diverse groups to consensus by focusing on common purpose and core values will be a highly prized competency.

Working with a seasoned executive coach trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership assessments such as the BarOn EQi and CPI 260 can help you become a a more inspiring and visionary leader who can manage diverse cultures. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become happily engaged with the strategy and vision of the company.

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist, executive coach and trusted advisor to senior leadership teams.

We provide strategic talent management solutions to select and develop emotionally intelligent leaders and lawyers.

The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded two rare "Board Approved" designations for Dr. Maynard Brusman in the specialties of Executive/Leadership Coaching and Trusted Advisor to Attorneys and Law Firms.

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Where Leaders Excel

By Duane Zobrist

I had an interesting experience recently that reinforced the idea that, sometimes, even under the best leadership, problems can arise. On a recent spring day I boarded an eight passenger raft to spend the day on some pristine West Virginia white water.Our raft was giddy with anticipation as we honed our paddling skills. "All forward, back left-forward right, all back" shouted our experienced guide. The boat promptly responded and with pride in our paddling skills, the guide pointed the raft towards the first rapid.

Our team braved the early rapids well and had developed strong enough skills that the afternoon's big rapids would be passable. While our boat full of "Class A" personalities was prepared, the boat of teenagers form the local camp was not as confident. Their trip leader was very skilled, but evidently flustered by her inattentive team of teens.

Unfortunately, as if often the case in both business and life, the skills of the leader alone were not enough to keep this raft out of danger. As this well guided, but poorly paddled raft began its descent through the largest rapid of the day, the paddlers, decided to disregard their leader's direction. Within a split second, the rapids overpowered the guide and the raft careened towards the large protruding rock we were all told to avoid.

The pandemonium increased as the raft collided with the rock, and under the pressure of the water became pinned. Both paddlers and guide were ejected from the boat and as we floated by, the look of sheer terror was prominent. All the guides in the surrounding boats were rallied, swimming paddlers were recovered, the boat was unpinned and two hours later the trip resumed.

Often as leaders in an organization, you will face a similar dilemma. Your responsibilities are covered; your direct reports are doing fine and your revenue goals will be met, then it happens. You round the bend in the river, and you are headed for the rock. This is where true leaders excel. Are you able to rally those around you and avoid the rock, or will you end up, through no fault of your own, pinned?

Duane Zobrist is a consultant, speaker and adventurer. Duane has earned a reputation as a sought after speaker. His engaging style and use of experiential activities create lasting impressions and are often the catalyst for corporate or personal change. Learn more by visiting http://www.duanezobrist.com

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