We are all a part of the global village we live in. For most of the world, gone are the days of isolation from the corners of the planet where a decision in one place does not have a major impact on other parts of the planet. The world has changed significantly and almost every country has a part to play on the world stage. This shrinking of our world into a shared village has happened relatively quickly over the last couple of hundred years with the advancements of technology and the pursuit of globalization (Bennis, 1999). Social structures have moved from families, clans, tribes, and villages to towns, cities, nations, and even regions who act in accord with one another (Raskin, 2008).
This globalization phenomenon is beginning to demand that leaders evolve and look beyond their nationalistic culture by embracing a more open and inclusive approach to leadership as the entire world moves closer to being a single entity (Marquerdt, 2012). The perspectives of other nations must be considered regarding issues that go beyond home borders and impact neighboring nations; national leaders must learn to lead their nations to find a way to come to solutions that are beneficial to all (Tung, 2014).
The relationships that are being made possible through the global village, aided by technological access to a wide variety of cultures and traditions, open the door for the possibility for cultural innovation and social adaptation, which can lead to more complex societies that offer greater capacity for resilience and innovation (Raskin, 2008). Foresight can make this all possible by short-circuiting the reactionary behavior that breeds fear, distrust, and cultural walls of resistance (Raskin, 2008). As leaders, we need to be intentional to realize harmony.
What objective approaches can global leaders take for global benefit?
References
Bennis, W. (1999). The End of Leadership: Exemplary Leadership Is Impossible Without Full Inclusion, Initiatives, and Cooperation of Followers. Organizational Dynamics, 28(1), 71–79.
Marquardt, M. J. (2012). Global Leaders for the Twenty-First Century. SUNY Press.
Raskin, P. D. (2008). World lines: A framework for exploring global pathways. Ecological Economics, 65(3), 461–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2008.01.021
Tung, R. L. (2014). Distinguished Scholar Invited Essay Requisites to and Ways of Developing a Global Mind-Set Implications for Research on Leadership and Organizations. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 21(4), 329–337. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051814549249
Field Notes 