Finding Unity in Diversity: Lessons from My Journey as a Global COO

As I step into my role as Global COO at Nomade People , a hospitality group that crafts transformative experiences worldwide, I've come to appreciate the true beauty of having a diverse, global team of professionals who are eager to grow and contribute to our projects and initiatives. My journey so far has been marked by a profound realization, and one that reinforces my thinking of organizational structures in today's day and age: hierarchy matters far less than finding the right people with the right expertise and competencies to tackle specific roles and responsibilities.

Having previously served as a General Manager in hotels, my success was built on a foundation of effective delegation to subject matter experts and individuals who were the best fit for each task. I soon discovered that titles and organizational structures mattered far less than identifying the perfect personality and experience match for each project or initiative.

In this article, I'd like to share my insights and offer guidance to fellow leaders who are transitioning from roles in specific locations to global positions within their organizations. It's a journey that's both exciting and challenging, but with the right approach, you can harness the full potential of your global human resources.

1. Embrace Diversity

Your global team is a treasure trove of diverse perspectives, cultures, and talents. Embrace this diversity, as it can be a catalyst for innovation and creativity. To properly leverage the diversity of your team, think of what competencies of your team are diverse. Are your people: analytical thinkers, integrators, emotional feelers, big-picture thinkers, skillful with computers, etc.? Make sure your definition of diversity is broad enough that it doesn't silo anyone.

2. Seek the Right Fit

Instead of solely focusing on hierarchy or seniority, prioritize finding the individuals with the right personality, competency and experience fit for a specific project or initiative. You need a mix of styles and approaches for any given project, and ensuring you've covered all those needs will lead to a stronger team.

3. Foster Collaboration

? ?- Create a culture of collaboration where team members from different regions and backgrounds feel empowered to share their ideas and insights. Open the doors to constant communication, that flows in all directions and is not in a dictatorial, one-way channel. Lead by asking questions and ensuring everyone in the group gets a chance to contribute with thoughts, ideas and perspectives.

4. Communication Is Key

Effective communication is the cornerstone of global success. Invest in tools and practices that facilitate clear and efficient communication across time zones and borders. Make sure you have the right systems in place, and that a proper guideline of how to communicate and through what channel is provided. Set the rules of engagement from the beginning so there is no confusion.

5. Provide Growth Opportunities

As you learn more about your global team, you realize that each professional is going through their own journey, and they all have their unique dreams, ambitions and challenges. Become very intentional with the growth opportunities provided and ensure that the projects your team members are assigned to match their growth goals - for the most part.

6. Celebrate Achievements

All human beings appreciate when you recognize their achievements and contributions. Acknowledge when your people do a great job, and be specific on the recognition. Find platforms in your communications to make time for recognition on a daily basis.

7. Adaptability is Essential

Be ready to pivot and adjust strategies as you navigate the dynamic landscape of international business. What works in one place may not be easily replicated in another. Maintain flexibility in your approach, as your team will respond better if you're not rigid and inflexible.

My early journey from a General Manager in hotels to a Global COO has shown me that success in a global role hinges on our ability to harness the collective strength of a diverse and talented team. By prioritizing the right fit over hierarchy and by fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of our global human resources. As leaders, let's embrace this exciting transition and continue crafting transformative experiences worldwide.

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