Leading in an Increasingly Global Business Environment There are no more “foreigners” in our global reality. A 21st century business leader requires a global mindset because you are likely leading one of the most diverse teams on earth. Today practically every business seems to be spread over two or three continents and four or more time zones. Domestic sales for many international companies make up a minority of the revenue stream. Leadership in today’s global economy requires new skills, experience and confidence. As more competitors come into the global marketplace, the decision making, marketing and management processes that worked in the past may now be restrictive or even detrimental to company success. Teams today are composed of an amazing diversity of people from different cultures, people who may be sitting offices halfway around the world from one another, with a diverse array of native languages and customs. But even sharing a common language is no guarantee of mutual understanding, as anyone who has spoken with people from Australia, India, England and Texas knows. Even many co-located teams find themselves composed of a multi-cultural cast of characters. Regardless of the country of origin, many leadership challenges are shared universally. There’s too much to do and not enough time, and it all must be done with too few resources. A “thank you” and a few words of encouragement go a long way no matter where you’re from, and sincere appreciation of a job well done is a source of motivation. Success as a leader depends on your ability to work effectively in this global village. There are no foreigners in this global economy. And no borders, either. This module will challenge you to explore how you can become a far more effective global leader.