A World of Difference: Developing International Leaders and Global Capability

A World of Difference: working successfully across cultures The WorldWork pack includes a 40 minutes dramatised video, a trainer's manual and a self-study workbook as well as a CD-Rom with exercises relating to the video. The video training pack is ideal for use whilst giving feedback for “The International Profiler”, for developing awareness in multi-cultural teams, and for cross-cultural workshops generally. The video exploits the research conducted by WorldWork into international competencies with given detailed training programmes of two days and a half day in the trainer's manual.

TWO BASIC PREMISES 1) Successful international professionals are not born that way; they develop into it. The ability to work across cultures is not instinctive. In fact, most people who manage the process successfully find the challenges complex and difficult. Those who take a purely instinctive, take-me-as-I-am, approach soon face breakdowns in communications and relationships which will compromise their organisation's ability to fulfil its global ambitions. 2) There are certain skills, attitudes and areas of knowledge which distinguish the successful international professionals from those who are not. There are best practices. The emphasis on the specific competencies needed depends, to some extent, on the precise international role of the individual; however, we can begin to define the broad personal competencies needed to succeed in the global workplace.

Gavin is a home based manager… …or was. He’s being asked to move from London to Rome. He has had two meetings with his team in Rome. This Is the third… What qualities does Gavin show (or fail to show) in his new role

The video clearly illustrates how business counterparts from other cultures can have differing approaches and attitudes to basic business variables, including: Time Planning Communication style Team leadership Trust and relationship building The training programme and video ensure a sound basic for experienced and inexperienced international professionals to understand the challenges and complexities of working in a world of difference. In the video: in the process of facing the challenges of international team leadership, Gavin understands some of the key competencies he needs to develop to be successful.