a case for global leadership:

the Kai Bendix story

Thinking about the learning from our programme so far, what kind of leadership skills and international competencies do you require to build up a business from zero in an unfamiliar environment (like India)?

A Case for Global Leadership: Introductions

What may be the cultural and situational factors which impact on the way he needs to handle these three challenges?

A Case for Global Leadership: Introductions

To what degree can you transfer ‘past’ international experience from one international location to ‘present’ challenges in another?

Drawing on the past

1) What cultural tensions did Kai face when he moved from Germany to turn around an under-performing team in Bulgaria?

2) What international leadership skills did he show in Bulgaria?

3) To what extent could he transfer ‘what worked’ from Bulgaria to India?

Drawing on the Past

1) What are the choices Kai faces in decision-making?

2) What local perspectives does he need to understand in making the right choice, and implementing it in the right way?

The World As you Find it

Presenting your case

You will each be in a group that will prepare a solution to ONE of the three challenges. One member of each group will be chosen to role-play Kai Bendix presenting his decision and approach to one interested party:

Group A: The Roshan Bribery Case: Pam

Group B: The Distributor Case: Thomas Papenfuss, Regional Marketing VP

Group A: Organisation issue: Jason Chen, Board Member

You have 20 minutes to prepare

What do we learn about Kai as an individual that strikes you as ‘authentic’ and may guide him in making his decisions ?

The World As It Finds You

Change of international competency focus

PULL Bulgaria India• New Thinking • Welcoming Strangers• Acceptance• Valuing Differences

PUSH Bulgaria India• Inner Purpose • Focus on Goals• Spirit of Adventure• Resilience

International Competency Refocus

What could have caused him to refocus his international profile? What is the link to authenticity?

What interests you about what Kai really does, and how he does it?

Taking action

What extra does the Results scene reveal about leadership?

Results

A successful global leader needs to…

1. broker symbiotic relationships between company and local country

2. manage distance between the HQ and the local operation

3. recognise the perceptions of follower locals

4. take a step back from local context and see the global picture

5. combine affability with toughness

6. walk the talk, and avoid only lip-service

7. minimise gap between own skills and first line managers

8. learn how to cool down a bit, be realistic about speed of change

9. prepare for a tough re-entry back to the home culture

10. beware of copy-paste since the context is always different

What lessons can we take back to your organisation from Kai’s global leadership challenges and responses?

Transfer