Aleemah Williams '24 RGLP Reflection

What does it mean to be a " global citizen " or a " global leader "? These past eight weeks have allowed me to submerge myself into various cultures and situations to define these key terms. Global citizens engage with other cultures, while global leaders do more. Every group of individuals have some form of culture that dictates their beliefs, values, and action. Within our beautiful campus, we have one big inclusive culture composed of various cultures. Navigating these cross-cultural interactions may be heard but embracing these encounters with an open mind. We need to get out of our comfort zone and actively engage with others. As leaders, it is essential to be adaptable. Actively look for verbal and non-verbal cues that may help make your interactions more effective. Our values are shaped by our culture and environments, which are then displayed through interactions. There are certain situations in which your culture should be the dominant culture in an interaction and other times when you must allow for another culture to be the dominant culture. Allowing another culture to be dominant within an interaction does not decrease the significance of your contribution but demonstrates your cultural competence. By recognizing cues and understanding what steps are needed to ensure that you're respectful of the other party, interactions will become more meaningful and prove your cultural competence. For instance, when visiting mosques or historical sites in Dubai it is important to dress modestly. In Lyon, you should ensure that you exchange pleasantries before asking for something. These are just examples, but knowing what to do and what not to do displays your cultural IQ. People may not know what to do, but allowing other individuals to give you feedback allows you to adapt to the situation and not look ignorant. Going from just a global citizen to an effective global leader is big. Global leaders facilitate an environment where everyone feels heard and valued by being open, curious, and confident. Creating an environment where people do not feel as though they must assimilate to other cultures allows them to embrace other cultures as they preserve their own cultures. Leaders are individuals that bring people together and create platforms for cross-cultural dialogues and interactions by being curious.

" Effective leadership is not about making speeches le being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributed " -Peter F. Drucker