13 Key Traits to be a Successful Leader in the Global Workplace

One of the most rewarding, yet difficult roles is being a leader across a multi-faceted global organization. Leaders encounter multiple layers of complexities, as well as forecasting and communication challenges in an ever-changing environment. Leaders in the global workplace operate in multiple environments across borders with different cultural and government systems to achieve a common objective. As companies integrate into global operations, it is essential for leaders to constantly evolve and master attributes to adapt to these complexities and challenges. It is detrimental to the growth and success of a company for organizations with global leaders unable to navigate through the complexities and challenges entailed in these multifaceted roles. Highlighted below are thirteen (13) key traits to master to become a successful leader in the global workplace.

1.? ? Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is key to becoming a successful and effective leader by understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Leaders who are self-aware hire people who have strengths in areas they are weak and more likely to listen to ideas from people with divergent perspectives.

2.? ? Patience

Effective leaders need to be patient as it reinforces the importance of focusing on long-term outcomes (i.e. strategic planning, program management, people development). In today’s climate acting with speed is a desired attribute people want in leaders as it helps to get ahead of the competition. However, acting hastily can cause mistakes or missed opportunities because there is no time to reflect. Successful leaders recognize that patience enables understanding of the situation and wait until the appropriate time to take effective actions to capitalize.

3.? ? Inclusivity

Unleashing innovative ideas, inciting collaboration, and solving problems across multi-faceted organizations entails embracing input whose cultural background, experience and/or personality differs from their own. Leaders in global organizations need to be flexible and find ways for common ground while honoring differences. Inclusive leaders demonstrate the ability to recognize, and learn from the different values, attitudes and behavioral expectations needed for various roles, both in their own culture and in the cultural context in which they are operating. Leaders who embrace diversity are more likely to encourage risk taking and disruptive thinking to challenge the status quo and foster innovation.??

4.? ? Effective Communication

Leaders in a global workplace need to effectively communicate with everyone in a manner conducive to all. This is essential when managing from a distance. Successful leaders need to speak well, be charismatic, deliver a compelling message, and command an audience that sparks the interests of others. Effective leaders learn to overcome geographic, culture and language barriers and adapt their communication skills accordingly.

5.? ? Building Alliances and Partnerships

Navigating the complexities in a global organization requires the support and guidance of partnerships and alliances. Effective leaders attract support at the highest levels through their strong negotiating skills. Building alliances is one of the most important competencies for global leaders. Successful leaders effectively build trusting and long-term strategic relationships, both internally and externally, and leverage those partnerships to have alignment around the organizations' mission, and complete tasks at hand.

6.? ? Big Picture Perspective

A clear view of the future of the organization is an essential skill for a successful leader in the global workplace. Successful leaders are always thinking ahead and moving forward. Their extensive industry knowledge enables them to anticipate future trends. Effective leaders must have a longer-term view of the business and market to generate business strategies that translate into meaningful goals and objectives in the organization.

7.? ? Inquisitiveness

The best leaders are curious, have a thirst for knowledge and open to new experiences. Successful leaders explore and investigate, and always ask open ended “why” and “how” questions.

8.? ? Versatility

Global organizations are ever-changing environments with multi-layer complexities. Successful leaders need to not be resistant to change and be able to be versatile and adapt to dynamic environments with shifting priorities.

9.? ? Creativity

Successful?leaders are innovative and think outside the box. Creative global leaders are in tune with the current trends and not afraid to explore and try new things.

10. Inspiring Trustworthiness

Leaders who are trustworthy are well respected and this is especially important in global workplace. Generally, people work with others they feel have integrity and will lead them on the right path. Successful global leaders are viewed as transparent, sincere, dependable, and promise keepers, resulting in people being more productive working for someone trustworthy.

11. Compassionate

Successful leaders are compassionate and caring. Compassionate leaders are empathetic, genuinely care about colleagues and mindful of the needs of others.

12. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional awareness, persistence, and resilience are important traits for global leaders to master, especially stressful circumstances.? Successful leaders are aware of the source of their emotions and are capable of sensing and responding effectively in situations that are emotionally charged.

13. Identifying and Fostering Potential

Successful leaders look for potential talent to foster and empower. Effective leaders encourage talent to think outside the box by allowing different perspectives.? Successful leaders allow for failure which will empower talent to take risks and step outside their comfort zone. Effective leaders do not let talent to be complacent and encourage the development of their skills for the next stage of their careers.?

Conclusion

To be a successful and effective leader in the global workplace is having the willingness and ability to thrive outside of your comfort zones and embrace diversity. It is to seek to understand before being understood, and listen to show others they are heard, while showing empathy.? Successful leaders have a desire to learn, consistently adapt to ever-changing markets, and communicate effectively that motivates others to be the best. It is to have the ability to build strong partnerships across the organization with a clear vision of the company’s future. Leaders who can master these traits will incite innovation, growth and success for the organization in the global workplace.

Disclosure: I wrote this article for another person on LinkedIn without getting credit. I finally have the strength to take complete credit for my work and posted the article on my account with some modifications.