This book first examines the phenomenon of global business and then analyzes what is different about global business and, therefore, what is uniquely required to be a successful global leader. It lays out how companies can develop successful global leaders, and what individuals can do to develop themselves into successful global leaders.
Readers will walk away with a clear understanding of how and why globalization of business took place. They will understand what is unique about global leadership compared to domestic leadership. With that insight and through examples, they will come to see what is uniquely required to be a successful global leader. Finally, readers will walk away with clear insights on how they can develop global leaders and what they can do to strengthen their own global leadership capabilities. The book is based on more than 300 interviews with top corporate executives from around the world and across a wide variety of industries, hundreds of surveys, and over 60 years of combined experience.
Top executives will find this book helpful in determining how they can ensure that their firm has the right quality and quantity of global leaders it needs to capture the global growth opportunities before them.
Chapter 1: The Path to Globalization
Common Globalization Path
Stage 1: Domestic Birth and Focus
Stage 2: Export Focus
Stage 3: International Focus
Stage 4: Localization Focus
Stage 5: Borderless Global Business Focus
It’s A Global World
Chapter 2: It’s a Global World
Pervasiveness of Globalization and Global Focus
The S-Curve; Sales vs. Attention
A Slow Start to Globalization
Post 1970’s Increase in Exports
Post 1990’s Increase in International Sales
Pervasiveness of Globalization Continues
Developing Economies
Pervasiveness and the Leadership Challenge
Drinking from a Firehose
Mary’s Path to Global Leadership
Uncharted Waters
Future Pervasiveness of Globalization
Interconnectedness of Globalization
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Globalization’s Impact
What Has Driven Globalization?
- The Liberalization of Trade
- Faster and Cheaper Transportation
- Booming Global Communications
- Broader Capital Markets
- Changing Technology
- The Long Reach of the Internet
The Indelible March to Globalization
Five Key Implications for Leaders
- Be Vigilant: The Competitors are Everywhere
- Prepare for More Complexity
- Plan to Make Lots of Mistakes
- Appreciate that the Basis of Power is Changing
- Accept that Yesterday’s Maps Are Out-of-Date
Are You Ready?
Chapter 4: A Framework for Global Leadership
Situation-Specific Dynamics
Industry Effects
Birth Country Effects
Corporate Culture Effects
Global Dynamics
Dispersion Dynamics
Dualism Dynamics
A Model of Global Leadership
Mapping Your Global Leadership Profile
Balance is Critical for Your Success
Global Leadership Profiles
Chapter 5: Global Leaders Are Inquisitive
Inquisitiveness is a Mindset
Global Leaders Know That the Best Answer Is a Question
Global Leaders Understand the Terrain
Global Leaders Accept That They Don’t Know What They Don’t Know
Global Leaders Crush Curiosity Killers
It Doesn’t Come Easy for Some
Global Leaders Master the Terrain
Learning through Experiences
Making Sense of the Terrain
Cultural Baggage Destroys Our Capacity to See and Make Sense of New Terrain
Resistance to Learning
Inquisitiveness Drives Every Global Leadership Characteristic
Inquisitiveness and Perspective
Inquisitiveness and Character
Inquisitiveness and Savvy
Conclusions
Chapter 6: Global Leaders have Perspective
Embracing Uncertainty
Uncertainty in Global Business
Overcoming Organizational Barriers
Doing Your Homework
Doing Too Much Homework
Keeping the Balance
Embracing the Challenge
White Water Rafting
Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin
Balancing Tensions
- The Branding Challenge
- Getting the Content Right
- Getting Manufacturing Right
- Managing Duality within the Organization
Getting the Mix Right
Conclusions
Chapter 7: Global Leaders Exhibit Character
Emotional Connections
Our Research on Emotional Connections
Benefits of Emotional Connections
Keys to Developing Emotional Connections
Final Comments on Emotional Connections
Integrity
Swimming in Gray Water
Internal Relationships
External Relationships
Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Conclusions
Chapter 8: Global Leaders Demonstrate Savvy
Global Business Savvy
Maximizing Value
Taking a Global Perspective
Recognizing Global Opportunities
Critical Knowledge Areas
Global Organizational Savvy
Critical Knowledge Areas
Mastering Global Structures
Raising Your Profile
Linking Business and Organizational Savvy
Building Credibility
Building Competencies
Winnable and Unwinnable Fights
Conclusions
Chapter 9: Global Leaders: Born or Made? Buy or Build?
Born or Made?
Meeting the DNA Challenge
From DNA to Inheritance
The Importance of Drive
Buy or Build?
A Few Final Comments
Chapter 10: Developing Global Leaders
Development Strategy #1: Transfers
The Power of International Transfers
Enhancing the Effectiveness of International Transfers
Development Strategy #2: Training
Participants
Content
Process
Summary
Development Strategy #3: Teams
Development Strategy #4: Travel
Recommendations
Chapter 11: Intersection Your Career Stage and Leadership Development
Early Career Development
The Excuses for lack of Development
No Excuses
Early Career Transfers
Early Career Training
Early Career Teams
Early Career Travel
Cautions
Mid-Career Development
Mid-Career Transfers
Mid-Career Training
Mid-Career Teams
Mid-Career Travel
Cautions
Late-Career Development
Late-Career Transfers
Late-Career Training
Late-Career Teams
Late-Career Travel
Cautions
Conclusion
Mapping Your Personal Career Frontier
Don’t Wait for Your Company
Know What is Right for You
Global Leadership: A Personal Journey of Discovery
Biography
J. Stewart Black is a Professor of Global Leadership and Strategy at INSEAD. Previously he was a Professor at Dartmouth College and University of Michigan, USA. He has lived and worked in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland. He is the author or the co-author of 20 books.
Allen J. Morrison is a Professor of Global Management at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University (ASU), USA. Previously, he served as CEO and Director-General of the school (2015–2018).
"The Global Leadership Challenge is a thorough piece of work that covers a spectrum of approaches for companies to grow business globally while developing their leaders with both global mindset and local effectiveness. Great depth and breadth."
Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO, Lenovo
"The Global Leadership Challenge is a must-read for today’s leaders. Given the complexity of technology and accelerating changes in the world, this book arrives at a critical time. The authors have done a wonderful job charting the path for companies and their leaders as they prepare for the challenges ahead."
Jan Jenisch, CEO, LafargeHolcim
"In The Global Leadership Challenge, Black and Morrison bring decades of perspective and current research to deliver a contemporary and relevant take on why global leaders can and will make a positive impact on business today, helping to elevate the importance of "softer skills" in leadership and ability to make a difference in communities around the globe."Mark Smucker, CEO and President, The J. M. Smucker Company
"The Global Leadership Challenge is very much needed right now. Globalization combined with digital developments have greatly impacted companies, governments, and societies. Today’s leaders need to navigate through complexities of these dynamics. This book is a must read for today’s and tomorrow’s leaders around the world."
Dr. Ali Qassim Jawad, Advisor, Diwan of Royal Court and Chairman, Oman Business Forum , Sultanate of Oman
