Flexible Leadership in Global and Diverse Contexts

The course explores different global contexts in which dynamic and diverse leadership is required, how to cultivate effective intercultural communication and fostering an understanding for the (cultural) diversity of staff. Participants will use practical examples of situations of intercultural conflict, both in Germany and abroad, as a basis for simulating different leadership scenarios. The aim of the course is to analyse heterogeneous patterns of behaviour and to foster flexible leadership in diverse intercultural contexts. To this end, the course teaches general principles of cultural identity and strategies for handling diversity in a flexible way, and sensitises participants to intercultural leadership scenarios.

This course is part of the programme promoting individual leadership skills at the Command and Staff College of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).

The course language is German.

After completion of the course, participants will:

• Understand cultural difference between diverse groups of people;

• Be able to analyse the implications for their own behaviour and perception, and those of others;

• Be able to translate results into culturally-sensitive and flexible leadership.

The course is directed at:

• Military and civilian management personnel of the German Federal Ministry of Defence
• Comparable personnel from other ministries
• Other staff working in an international, intercultural and (culturally) diverse context.

The training is only open to Members of the ZIF Expert Pool. ZIF can fill two training slots per course.

• What is culture?
• What is intercultural competence?
• What is (flexible) leadership?
• Reflecting on your own cultural background; the significance of socio-cultural identity
• Critical examination of the concept of the “other” and the concept of cultural dexterity
• Diversity management and dealing with socio-cultural diversity in armed forces and society
• Links between culture, diversity and leadership
• Flexible leadership at three levels: cognitive, emotional, affective.

• Membership in the ZIF Expert Pool (German nationals only)
• Previous experience in a management/leadership position

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