Transformational team-building across cultural boundaries: A case focusing on the key paradigm of leadership styles

摘要

Purpose - In a world-wide environment strongly influenced by the issues and perspectives ofrnglobalization, internationally-based business firms must be focused on transformational leadershiprnteam-building across the cultural boundaries with which they are involved. The purpose of this paperrnis to juxtapose the leadership dimensions and national culture dimensions, and particularly to explorernone aspect of that transformational leadership team-building process, the application of the keyrnparadigm of leadership style balance and support within the parameters of an operational team.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Based on a literature review the paper identifies four basicrnleadership styles, the strengths and weaknesses of each of the styles are identified, communicationrnpreferences are discussed, primary back-up styles that come into focus due to high levels of stress arernanalyzed, and the all-important skill of style flex is described. These dimensions will be examined inrnassociation with the case of UnitedTel Ltd (a pseudonym), and also include observations relating to thernauthors' experiences in several other arenas that have been encountered in management andrnconsulting activities.rnFindings - Two interactive dimensions at the heart of a leader's behavior - assertiveness andrnresponsiveness - are foundations of that person's leadership style. The basic interactive dimensions ofrnassertiveness and responsiveness thereby form the two axes of the framework of the leadership stylesrnparadigm and the four primary quadrants, which represent the four leadership styles - analyzer,rndirector, creator, and connector.rnResearch limitations/implications - The paradigm of leadership styles can be a valuable tool forrnthe further research, and understanding of, the process of transformational teambuilding acrossrncultural boundaries.rnPractical implications - Importantly, it is not enough just to understand one's leadership style orrnthe style of others in a leadership team; one must also exercise style flex that can enable the parties tornfunction in a mutually-beneficial situation congruent with the needs of the individuals and thernorganization.rnOriginality/value - The leadership styles paradigm can be a very important reference point in thernprocess of transformational teambuilding across cultural boundaries. An interesting view andrncontribution of the paper are the way that the leadership styles and cultural dimensions can be linked.