Leading Across Differences

This training tool provides examples of and perspectives on concepts and situations important to leading across differences. With cases gleaned from interviews of over a hundred people in over twenty organizations on five continents, the authors offer new ways of thinking about leadership challenges. The authors provide a framework and process for helping participants better understand their context and taking appropriate action. The casebook includes the Leadership Across Differences Framework, 13 research-based cases, 11 chapters written by leadership experts, nine individual exercises, as well as references and resources to extend the learning. The package is designed to be flexible enough to use for a single one-hour session or for an extended course. The information in the Facilitator’s Guide will help you craft a session or series of sessions organized around specific learning outcomes.

Foreword, by Maxine Dalton and Marian Ruderman xiii

Preface xvii

Introduction 1

Purpose 2

Audience 3

The Organization of This Book 3

How to Use This Book 8

Part One Leadership Across Differences Framework 9

Societal Landscape 11

Organizational Context 13

Spillover 13

Faultlines 14

Triggering Event 14

Leadership Practices 15

Increased Direction, Alignment, and Commitment 16

Organizational Outcomes 16

Part Two Cases 17

Case 1: Race and Respect 19

Case 2: Water Crises 23

Case 3: Floating Holidays 27

Case 4: Not My Weekend 31

Case 5: It’s Their Fault 35

Case 6: The Scent of Difference 39

Case 7: Not Catching On 43

Case 8: Glass Ceiling at Big Boy Toys 47

Case 9: Super Drugs 51

Case 10: The Right to Be Pregnant 55

Case 11: Local Bombing 59

Case 12: Benefits Battle 63

Case 13 Francois’ Dilemma 67

Part Three Perspectives 71

One Social Identity: Understanding the In-Group/Out-Group Group Phenomenon by Stella M. Nkomo 73

Two Triggers of Social Identity Conflict by Marian N. Ruderman and Donna Chrobot-Mason 81

Three Organizational Faultlines by Astrid C. Homan and Karen A. Jehn 87

Four Leadership Practices Across Social Identity Groups by Marian N. Ruderman, Sarah Glover, Donna Chrobot-Mason, and Chris Ernst 95

Five Cultural Values by Shalom Schwartz 115

Six Approaches to Difference: Allophilia and Xenophobia by Todd L. Pittinsky 125

Seven Cultural Intelligence: A Pathway for Leading in a Rapidly Globalizing World by Linn Van Dyne, Soon Ang, and David Livermore 131

Eight Social Justice and Dignity by Philomena Essed 139

Nine Miasma: The Dynamics of Difference by Ancella B. Livers and Robert F. Solomon, Jr. 147

Ten Leading Across Cultural Groups: Implications of Self-Concept by Dharm P.S. Bhawuk and Vijayan P. Munusamy 155

ElevenLeader Values and Authenticity by Todd J. Weber 163

TwelveLeading Through Paradox by Jeffrey Yip 171

Part Four Exercises 181

Exercise 1: Mapping Your Social Identities 183

Exercise 2: Your Experience with Triggers 193

Exercise 3: Identifying Faultlines 199

Exercise 4: Cultural Values 203

Exercise 5: Approaches to Difference 207

Exercise 6: Cultural Intelligence (CQ) 213

Exercise 7: Your Leadership Practices 217

Exercise 8: Examining Your Leadership Networks 223

Exercise 9: Taking a New Perspective 229

Glossary 235

Recommended Reading/Resources 243

References 251

About the Contributors 263

About the Editors 267

The Editors

Kelly Hannum, Ph.D., is manager of research at the Center for Creative Leadership at Greensboro, North Carolina's campus. She has also managed a variety of international research and evaluation projects and is the co-editor of The Handbook of Leadership Development Evaluation.

Belinda B. McFeeters, Ph.D., is an independent contractor with faculty affiliations at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Lize Booysen, Ph.D., is a full professor, Leadership and Change at Antioch University.

Center for Creative Leadership (www.ccl.org) is a top-ranked, global provider of executive education that develops better leaders through its exclusive focus on education and research.

The Case for Leading Across Differences

TAPPING INTO THE WISDOM derived from an extensive global research project conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership, this comprehensive Casebook is an essential guide for exploring the leadership skills needed for success in our increasingly global society.

Leading Across Differences is filled with practical, relevant, and usable information and a wealth of illustrative examples for learning what it takes to lead a wide-range and diverse group of constituents. The authors present 13 rich cases that have been gleaned from interviews from more than a hundred people in more than twenty organizations on five continents. In addition to the cases presented, the authors offer unique views and innovative ways for thinking about these leadership challenges.

Praise for Leading Across Differences

"If you are leading self, leading others, or are a leadership consultant, this book provides case studies, guides and a practical framework."
—Monica Poindexter, director, Diversity and Inclusion, Genentech

"[The editors] couple a conceptual framework of conflict with case studies that can be addressed through that scaffolding."
—Joan B. Hirt, professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Virginia Tech University