In Wheatake 52, I mentioned "Cross Cultural Leadership as one of the emerging trends which leaders should include in their education. When I speak about cross cultural leadership I have in mind the ability of a leader to influence and motivate members of a culturally different group to intentionally achieve a valued outcome. Before I proceed any further let take fellow Virgin Islanders down memory lane. About eighty years ago B. V. Islanders believed that anything good had to come ftom above Round Rock- meaning outside the Territory. In that environment the diadvantaged people were B. V. Islanders. Today there is a ingering element. Cross cultural leadership creates opportunties for individuals to understand and work with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. I am touching this topic because the major businesses in the B. V. I. have diverse employees on their payroll. Many of the leaders complained about clashes betweem B. V. Islanders and non- B. V. Islanders. Many of these clashes have their roots in that long standing belief of outside superiority. Leaders who are facing such challenges should seek to develop intercultural competencies in managing these contextual challenges while achieving their organizational goals. These competencies are required for effective communication and cordial inter-personal relationships. There is a popular story to illustrate the importance of clear communication. On a construction site a worker shouted 'look out" and and another worker pushed his head through a window to see what was happening and narrowly missed being beheaded by a falling object. His response was these people don't say what they mean.
In addition to effective communication, equality of treatment is of paramount importance Government has had to deal with problem which I believe is dtill unresolved becsuse I meet many B. V. Islanders who returned to work but because of the discrimination they encountered, they moved to other countries. They have claimed discrimination in treatment when the government gave better employment benefits to expatriate employees than B. V. Islanders. Because of such treatment the Territory has lost excellent service. Take it or leave it is the attitude they encountered. This is an example of unsuçcessful cross cultural leadership.
"How can I dialogue
if I start from the premise
that naming the world is a task of an elite,
and that the presence of the people in history
is a sign of deterioration
which is to be avoided?
If I am closed to- an others even offended by the contribution of others?
Paulo Freire.
- Dr. Charles H. Wheatley