Cross-Cultural Leadership

This course examines the leadership dynamics of culture, including but not limited to gender, socioeconomic status, race, religion, and social values at a global level. The purpose is to allow for the students to understand cultural competencies and give them the ability to manage in a diverse workforce in our twenty-first-century global society. Because most successful companies recognize the value of workplace diversity and its impact on organizational effectiveness, many invest considerable time and resources into the development of cross-cultural leadership.  This course explores the dynamic subject of cross-cultural leadership from multiple perspectives, using both domestic and international lenses for inquiry.  It examines the related concepts of organizational communication, culture and cultural awareness, conflict resolution, and inclusive business systems. Students will learn about leadership prospects and examine how cooperation among different cultural backgrounds lead to the achievement of common goals. Students will explore best practice models that address cultural differences in the professional and personal space. Additionally, they will learn how to adapt, communicate, and think critically in professional and personal settings.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop cultural understanding of diversity and discriminatory practices within organizations
• Develop effective conflict resolution strategies that can be used by leaders in various cross-cultural settings
• Explain different leadership strategies and effectiveness across cultural dimensions
• Practice civil discourse, as a leader, through communication that is fair, unbiased, and integrates various views from personal and professional life
• Prepare an action plan that includes personal and professional development as a leader in a cross-cultural setting