Self-Acceptance and Community Transcendence: Reflections on Global Leadership from an Irrepressible Scholar-Teacher

Abstract

This essay reflects on over two decades of developing global leaders while simultaneously studying global leadership phenomena. Global leadership is leading across contexts. Because the contexts of global business continuously evolve, so too must our understanding of global leadership and our research about it. When research and practice inform each other in constant iteration, we can develop knowledge that is robust and relevant, and identify emerging ideas that shape future knowledge and practice. The essay suggests that exceptional, high-impact global leaders demonstrate two characteristics in addition to the competences and qualities identified in most research. Self-acceptance is an internal orientation, an acknowledgement of one’s own strengths, weaknesses, and reasons for leading. It underlies the ability to manage the impact of one’s self on others, and creates a leadership space for empowerment of others. Community transcendence is an external orientation, an acknowledgement of the primacy of local for creating meaning in business and work. It enables a leader to take on a local identity and create a leadership space for the community to succeed through the global organization. The essay concludes with speculation on the future importance of these two qualities.

Citation

Maznevski, M. (2017), "Self-Acceptance and Community Transcendence: Reflections on Global Leadership from an Irrepressible Scholar-Teacher", Advances in Global Leadership (Advances in Global Leadership, Vol. 10), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 177-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1535-120320170000010010