LEADING WITH A GLOBAL MINDSET
As our world becomes more and more connected, organizations need employees who are adept at working with people who are different from them. Developing attributes that assist to influence others that are from different backgrounds is critical to a globalized workforce. Three components of a global mindset is one's:
1.) Intellectual Capital
2.) Psychological Capital
3.) Social Capital
Students are expected to apply these attributes through experience, practice, evaluation and assessment within the context of course work and exploration while living and traveling throughout the program.
1.) Intellectual Capital
2.) Psychological Capital
3.) Social Capital
Students are expected to apply these attributes through experience, practice, evaluation and assessment within the context of course work and exploration while living and traveling throughout the program.
Global Mindset Inventory
When taking a leadership position within a global environment, there are several qualities and skills that it takes in order to be successful. I developed a preconceived notion of what I thought these qualities and skills would look like before stepping into and exploring three incredibly different countries; Czechia, England, and Germany. After spending approximately two months in three countries, I feel that my understanding of what it takes to be a successful global leader has become significantly more complex and well-rounded.
Intellectual, psychological, and social capital are all imperative when it comes to developing relationships, handling conflict, and developing a global mindset. Intellectual capital refers to global business savvy, cosmopolitan outlook, and cognitive complexity. Psychological capital refers to passion for diversity, quest for adventure, and self-assurance. Finally, social capital refers to intercultural empathy, interpersonal impact, and diplomacy.
Prior to my experience abroad, I was able to assess my current global mindset profile by taking the Thunderbird Global Mindset Inventory. Ranked on a scale 1-5, my average score for intellectual capital was 2.33; psychological capital was 3.5; and social capital was 2.9. Approximately 2 months later, I was able to reassess my global mindset in order to analytically evaluate the growth I experienced during my time abroad. My most current average score for intellectual capital is 3.53; psychological capital is 4.00; and social capital is 3.78.
Intellectual, psychological, and social capital are all imperative when it comes to developing relationships, handling conflict, and developing a global mindset. Intellectual capital refers to global business savvy, cosmopolitan outlook, and cognitive complexity. Psychological capital refers to passion for diversity, quest for adventure, and self-assurance. Finally, social capital refers to intercultural empathy, interpersonal impact, and diplomacy.
Prior to my experience abroad, I was able to assess my current global mindset profile by taking the Thunderbird Global Mindset Inventory. Ranked on a scale 1-5, my average score for intellectual capital was 2.33; psychological capital was 3.5; and social capital was 2.9. Approximately 2 months later, I was able to reassess my global mindset in order to analytically evaluate the growth I experienced during my time abroad. My most current average score for intellectual capital is 3.53; psychological capital is 4.00; and social capital is 3.78.
Intellectual Capital
The growth I experienced within my intellectual capital was 0.50. When it comes to global business savvy, I think I learned the most from my FTM 484 course. There, I was able to learn about business growth strategies from a Czech perspective, such as market penetration, product development, market development, and diversification. I was also able to increase my global business savvy by visiting SKODA, Kontoor, & Mercedes.
I was able to increase my cosmopolitan outlook by by immersing myself in three different countries over the span of 9 weeks while actively seeking to learn more about the history and the culture. Being in the epicentre of two major global events (Brexit and COVD-19) pushed me to be attentive to my surroundings and the different cultural reactions. I was also able to see the positive and negative reactions in response to the decisions made by the global leaders of the countries I visited, which showed how effective and important it is to think critically when making decisions.
Similar to my intellectual capital, I feel I experienced the growth in cognitive complexity through my FTM 484 course. There, I was able to perform a comprehensive strategic analysis for a company and analyze competitive problems related to the textile and apparel industries.
I was able to increase my cosmopolitan outlook by by immersing myself in three different countries over the span of 9 weeks while actively seeking to learn more about the history and the culture. Being in the epicentre of two major global events (Brexit and COVD-19) pushed me to be attentive to my surroundings and the different cultural reactions. I was also able to see the positive and negative reactions in response to the decisions made by the global leaders of the countries I visited, which showed how effective and important it is to think critically when making decisions.
Similar to my intellectual capital, I feel I experienced the growth in cognitive complexity through my FTM 484 course. There, I was able to perform a comprehensive strategic analysis for a company and analyze competitive problems related to the textile and apparel industries.
Psychological Capital
The growth I experienced within my psychological capital was 1.20. My passion for diversity was absolutely increased because of this trip. Not only did I travel to Prague, London, and Reutlingen, but I also made time to travel to Terezin, Brighton, and Paris. I learned basic survival phrases in 3 different languages, as well as common courtesies.
I increased my quest for adventure by pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and try things I wouldn't typically do, such as hop on a tram in Prague and get myself lost, or fly to a new country for a weekend with just myself and one other person.
Within my psychological capital, I experienced the most growth in my self-assurance. I feel more confident in my personality, and my ability to become a leader without changing my personality. I also feel more comfortable pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and am excited to continue to do so throughout my life.
I increased my quest for adventure by pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and try things I wouldn't typically do, such as hop on a tram in Prague and get myself lost, or fly to a new country for a weekend with just myself and one other person.
Within my psychological capital, I experienced the most growth in my self-assurance. I feel more confident in my personality, and my ability to become a leader without changing my personality. I also feel more comfortable pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and am excited to continue to do so throughout my life.
Social Capital
The growth I experienced within my social capital was 0.88. My intercultural empathy was increased the most during my time in Prague, because there I had the most amount of time to learn and interact with the people. I learned how to understand and sometimes mimic nonverbal expressions, and I stayed aware of certain American tendencies that could come across as offensive in order to aid in connecting with them.
I experienced the most growth within my interpersonal impact during my MIE 430 course. There, I was able to learn and practice different negotiation techniques by competing activities organized by Reutlingen University. I also think my motivation to network grew the most throughout my PRT 359 course, when I was given multiple opportunities to connect with different business leaders.
When it comes to diplomacy, I feel I grew the most during my FTM 484 course and my MIE 430 course. During FTM 484, I experienced different ways to collaborate on a team and how to analyze our overall efficiency. I also learned that I have the strength of being an active listener, so I tried to develop and strengthen that skill throughout my time abroad. During MIE 430, I learned how to most effectively incorporate diverse perspectives within a team. I also learned about the importance of being aware of your own cultural lens, and to stand firm in your own culture while having the flexibility to adapt to others.
I experienced the most growth within my interpersonal impact during my MIE 430 course. There, I was able to learn and practice different negotiation techniques by competing activities organized by Reutlingen University. I also think my motivation to network grew the most throughout my PRT 359 course, when I was given multiple opportunities to connect with different business leaders.
When it comes to diplomacy, I feel I grew the most during my FTM 484 course and my MIE 430 course. During FTM 484, I experienced different ways to collaborate on a team and how to analyze our overall efficiency. I also learned that I have the strength of being an active listener, so I tried to develop and strengthen that skill throughout my time abroad. During MIE 430, I learned how to most effectively incorporate diverse perspectives within a team. I also learned about the importance of being aware of your own cultural lens, and to stand firm in your own culture while having the flexibility to adapt to others.
Growth & Benefit Mindset
During my time in Prague, I learned about the importance of maintaining a growth/benefit mindset. To have a growth mindset means to constantly and actively seek personal growth and development through experience and learning. To have a benefit mindset means to act with a purpose that hopes to make a meaningful contribution to society. It takes both to be a global leader, because successful leaders must always continue to learn and to serve others.
Qualities of a Global Leader
Leaders make meaning of their environments by constantly reflecting on themselves and the people they’re surrounded with. This fits with the qualities I originally predetermined, which included “cultural competence, adaptability, mindfulness, reasoning, and optimism”. Others that I would now add to this list include modesty, confidence, and authenticity. One way I’m going to apply this new understanding in the future is I’m going to push myself to step out of my comfort zone and participate in leadership opportunities. Doing so will give me real-life application and practice of the skills and qualities that I learned about while abroad, as well as greater confidence in my own style of leadership. I also feel more motivated to learn about other cultures in order to increase my cultural competency and adaptability. Doing so will come in handy in the future, since my career field is typically known for working within very diversely built teams. By becoming more knowledgeable about other cultures and practicing cultural competency, I’m better preparing myself to be a successful leader within the diverse field of engineering.