Introduction. Leadership in the USA
- Historical influence: democracy, freedom of speech, and fight for independence shaped the modern American leadership style;
- The top characteristics of a strong leader include performance orientation, self-sacrifices, decisiveness, autonomy, and integrity (Brodbeck et al.,2007);
- A constant battle between competition and collaboration, collectivist and individualistic values;
- The ideal leader prioritizes efficiency, organization, and clear communication;
- In order to lead other people, they must understand their own strengths and weaknesses, work on the weaknesses (Brodbeck et al.,2007);
- A retained importance of religion in any business practices;
- Facts and data play critical roles in the workplace;
- Hierarchies are only established for efficiency purposes; all employees get to share their ideas;
- Furthermore, all leaders must learn to face challenges independently and avoid company risks
Leadership in Qatar
- The leadership style is team-based and structured around collectivist values;
- In that way, employees can seek help and advice from members of their close circles (Brodbeck et al.,2007);
- Political and economic stability explains the successful reputation of Qatar businesses;
- Tradition and unity are prioritized by most leaders;
- Success is shared with family and relatives; status plays an essential role in the perception of an individual;
- On the other hand, the high Power Distance values demonstrate a hierarchical structure in the workplace;
- The work week is structured according to Muslim beliefs;
- Business corporations are more focused on long-term success and strong collaborative skills;
- Overall, leadership is about innovation and creativity, using these skills for a common goal
Comparison of the Leadership Styles
- Compared to Qatar, American managerial work requires a lot more dedication to individual prosperity;
- What surprised me was the fundamental role of religion in the American culture, as it guides managers even in business practices;
- The role of religion proves to be a similarity between the two cultures, as it affects not only the employees but the daily routines at the workplace;
- In order to successfully switch to an American managerial work style, I would have to focus more on the company’s interests than maintaining good relationships with other collaborators;
- Furthermore, American leadership requires more openness to new ideas and risk-taking, a desire for innovative management techniques;
- Of course, this is a turbulent society that has been severely impacted by the processes of globalization; still, the core values of each culture remained the same.
Reference
Brodbeck, F. C., Chhokar, J. S., & House, R. J. (2007). Culture and leadership in 25 societies: Integration, conclusions, and future directions. Psychology Press.