Scenario: Your company is undertaking a new business venture in another country. Your boss has told you they want you to oversee this venture. You are excited about the opportunity and want to ensure the people you interact with work harmoniously with you.
Read the Discussion Question resources in the Week 3 Materials. Select your home country and another country of your choosing. If your home country is not listed in the resources, select a neighboring country or one you are familiar with. Then respond to the following prompts:
• Briefly explain why you chose the other country.
• Discuss the similarities and differences between your two countries.
How can you use the similarities you identified to your advantage in your communications?
What hurdles might the differences you found present for your communications?
• Reflect on the Discussion Question resources you used. Did any of the resources’ characterizations of cultures surprise you? Do you agree or disagree with their analyses? Explain.
• Referencing at least 2 of this week’s materials, what tactics would you apply to build rapport across the two cultures and overcome intercultural obstacles?
Leadership
Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence (EI)
In the article by Goleman in this week’s materials, Leadership That Gets Results, the six styles of leadership are explained. Think about your EI and how it guides your leadership style. Then discuss this topic by responding to the prompts below:
• Identify the leadership style you think is most appropriate for your business.
• What secondary style might be complementary?
• Which competencies do you want to improve to enhance your own EI?
