Global Leadership has been a topic of increasing relevance and interest for almost three decades, and rightfully so. Technology’s simplification of connecting on a global scale has made it possible to communicate and operate as if the entire world is a single entity; thereby compelling leaders wishing to impact the world, to take note and learn.
For those who desire growth and development, this overview of global leadership will prove to be an invaluable resource. It consists of articles that address foundational questions and provide a solid working knowledge upon which you, the reader can build. The articles listed here will address one of four primary questions regarding global leadership: What? Why? Who? or How?
Contents
What is global leadership?
A good place to begin learning about the topic at hand is with Eurac’s article, An Interview about Global Leadership: What it is, what it’s not and why you should become a global leader, which paints a clear picture of what global leadership is; and equally important, what it is not. This article is comprehensive in its coverage and provides a thorough introduction to global leadership and what it entails.
An Overview of the Global Leadership Literature, by Joyce Osland, also provides a strong definition and description of global leadership. This text provides a list of attributes, characteristics, and practices you will find indicative of a global leader, or at least a globalist. A globalist is someone who could potentially be a global leader because they already possess a global mindset. It also references some history and resources for further study on the topic.
Should you wish to go even more in-depth, What is Global Leadership by Reiche, Mendenhall, Bird, and Osland elaborates a framework for understanding the globality in leadership, focusing on three distinct yet interrelated conditions of global leadership: contextual, relational and spatial-temporal. The article also highlights critical elements of leadership on a global scale and discusses the implications for designing global leadership development activities.
Who is a global leader?
Global leadership experts often argue that anyone can be a global leader. Just as a title is not what makes a leader, “leading a global team doesn’t automatically make you a global leader”. The experts assert that anyone — regardless of their position — can be a global leader. The keys are a willingness to work on self-improvement/self‑development, and the proper attitude (Schmitz, 2018).
For a list of attributes, traits, and skills, ideal for a global leader to embody, refer to Developing Global Leaders of Tomorrow. Key Traits, Attitudes, and Skills of Global Leaders is another good one. Both demonstrate how these skills are utilized in common situations of workplace environments and bring unique elements to the topic.
The first article highlights why global leaders are necessary and shares how those supporting global leaders can aide in their development. The latter aims to further prepare those who wish to be global leaders by divulging common challenges global leaders encounter.
How does one develop a global leader?
Relevance occurs where one’s knowledge and one’s need intersect. The information shared above is helpful and relevant to the degree that it can be transferred to personal circumstances, and applied in practical ways to meet needs.
The articles below reinforce relevance by sharing how-tos and other developmental practices for the newly-acquired information above. These articles share practices that are applicable whether the development process is implemented by an executive or senior leadership team, or completed in more of a self-directed capacity.
Developing the Global Leader provides a snapshot of experiences and other ways to grow and develop as a global leader; whereas How Global Leaders Develop, provides a more in-depth look into some of the experiences global leaders describe as developmental. It also shares their experience takeaways and explores what was learned and how the participants developed as a result.
Lastly, Interpersonal Competencies of Global Leaders And How to Develop Them shares what a global leader needs to succeed, and how to develop the aforementioned needed skills.
For a better overview, we’ve summarized these 8 top articles about global leadership for you here again:
- An Interview about Global Leadership: What it is, what it’s not and why you should become a global leader
- An Overview of the Global Leadership Literature
- What is Global Leadership
- Developing Global Leaders of Tomorrow
- Key Traits, Attitudes, and Skills of Global Leaders
- Developing the Global Leader
- How Global Leaders Develop
- Interpersonal Competencies of Global Leaders And How to Develop Them
Together, these articles provide a thorough foundation and working knowledge of global leadership. There are many more in addition to the ones mentioned here. But the articles mentioned here will undoubtedly equip you with a substantial amount of quality information on global leadership. This can be used to reinforce your efforts and help catapult you into success, no matter your business arena, or the leadership path you choose.
For more insights into global leadership, sign up for our weekly emails that send the latest information straight to your inbox: