In our previous post, Beyond Borders, Beyond Silos, we introduced the concept of the Globally Connective Leader, highlighting the four key traits needed to thrive in today's interconnected, yet fractured, world. One of those traits, Connective Skills, is actually a series of key skills that are particularly critical, yet often overlooked in traditional leadership development.

"Some might call the capabilities needed for lateral leadership 'soft skills,'" notes our whitepaper, Down with 'Soft Skills,' A Case for 'Connective Skills, “thinking the vast majority of people in leadership positions already have them. But, in reality, the skills that are critical to a leader's ability to build bridges across their enterprise aren't 'soft' at all. Rather, they're connective."

But what does it really mean to apply Connective Skills in a global context? It's not just about being a good listener or building relationships; it's about understanding how those skills translate across cultures, navigating different communication styles, and adapting your approach to build trust and achieve results in a diverse world. A Globally Connective Leader is adept at lens-switching, able to see a situation from multiple cultural perspectives and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Key Connective Skills for Global Leaders

Let's explore how some of the key Connective Skills from our whitepaper manifest with a global lens:

Curiosity

The Global Lens: It's not just about asking questions. It's about asking the right questions, and understanding the context behind the answers. Are you aware of your own cultural biases and how they might influence your interpretation of information?

• Actionable Tip: Before engaging with a colleague from a different culture, research their cultural norms, communication styles, and business etiquette. Be mindful of your own assumptions and actively seek to understand their perspective.

  
  

Empathy

The Global Lens: It means understanding not just what your colleagues are feeling, but why they are feeling that way, given their cultural background, experiences, and current circumstances.

• Actionable Tip: When collaborating with global teams, take time to understand the specific challenges they are facing in their region, whether it's economic instability, political unrest, or cultural differences. Tailor your communication and support to their unique needs.

Adaptability

The Global Lens: It requires flexibility in your thinking, communication, and leadership style. Can you adjust your approach to meet the needs of a diverse team and navigate cultural nuances effectively?

• Actionable Tip: Be aware of different leadership expectations across cultures. Some cultures value directness and assertiveness, while others prefer indirectness and politeness. Some prefer more autonomy in decision making while others are more comfortable with traditional hierarchical decision making. Adapt your style to match the preferences of your audience.

Enterprise Mindset

The Global Lens: It requires understanding not just your organization's overall goals, but also how those goals are impacted by global forces, cultural differences, and the broader societal and environmental context. Leaders need to adopt a "stewardship mindset" - seeing themselves as custodians responsible for the long-term sustainability of the enterprise, as well as its positive impact on the wider ecosystem.

• Actionable Tip: Invest time in learning about global markets, economic trends, and geopolitical risks. Seek out information from diverse sources and perspectives. Also, carefully consider how your organization's decisions and actions may impact communities, society, and the planet beyond just your bottom line. Work towards adopting a mindset of long-term, regenerative value creation.

Why Aren't We Seeing More of This?

If these skills seem straightforward, why are they often lacking in leaders? The reality is that too many senior leaders aren't incentivized to develop connective skills, they have not been taught how to apply them in a leadership setting, or simply don’t have the time, given everything else on their plates. Often, these behaviors even run counter to the way they typically operate. 

In addition, a lot can get lost in translation. Leaders that have great intentions can still miss cultural nuances and context due to their own bias.

Moving Forward

Developing Connective Skills, especially in a global context, isn't about attending a one-time training program on intercultural differences; it's about making a conscious commitment to personal and professional growth and learning how to "switch lenses."

Use the actionable tips above to start strengthening your connective muscles and enhance your ability to lead across cultures.

In our next post, we’ll explore what organizations can do to foster a globally connective culture to better connect and compete on a global stage.