Globalization demands new leadership competencies. In addition to high levels of technical and intellectual competence (IQ) and highly developed emotional intelligence (EQ), effective 21st century leaders are adept at functioning in culturally demanding situations both within the U.S. and abroad. Basic demographic shifts in the U.S. indicate an increasingly diverse workforce, that while sharing the same dreams and aspirations as White Americans, bring different perspectives and strengths to work. The need for culturally competent leaders is as compelling in U.S. organizations as it is abroad.
Photo: Lisa Tong (唐) Parola Gaynier
The competitive global landscape demands that leaders, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, learn to harness the energy and the competitive edge that their diverse workforces offer. They also understand that increasingly they are doing business in a global environment which requires higher order functioning— the capacity for complex analysis and synthesis and the capacity to function in novel situations. Culturally competent leaders are agile learners, tolerant of and flexible to the dynamic needs of multiple different situations. They possess high levels of empathy and know how to utilize it wisely. They possess a mental and emotional elasticity that allows them to adjust in diverse contexts, while maintaining their own sense of self.
Contact us to discuss how we can assist your organization in becoming culturally competent. We provide coaching, cultural competence programming, diversity and inclusion consultation, and a speaker’s bureau. In addition, we are experienced interventionists in crisis situations caused by culturally insensitive, inappropriate behavior in organizations.
