Leading with intercultural agility - training for Head of Cooperation/sector/section

This workshop was developped to enhance EUD leadership with an intercultural dimension to foster better collaboration and cooperation with internal and external stakeholders towards a more sustainable partnership.

Acting with intercultural agility allows leaders to grow and to read culturally diverse situations on the fly as it allows them to anticipate, correctly interpret and adjust quickly where and when necessary. This skill and understanding are not only it helpful when acknowledging and working with people from different country cultures but also those from different professions, ages, backgrounds, religions, and any of the cultural dynamics that exist in teams of the European Commission.

This Intercultural Leadership training was delivered in 2022, it used real-life example and its objective was to enable EU staff leaders to start developing their ‘intercultural radar’, so they can ‘scan’ situations and be aware of the different cultural aspects at play in their teams. It was specifically developped for Head of Cooperation/Sector/section. 

Leading with intercultural agility

Intercultural agility is an important part of fostering cohesion and a constructive, safe working culture internally. It is also vital when looking outward, focusing on partnership and effectiveness, and therefore directly impacting results.’

‘Why are intercultural leadership and intercultural agility important as a Head of Cooperation/Sector/section?’

We are often asked these questions. Before answering directly, perhaps some definitions are helpful. 

• Intercultural leadership is the ability to influence and engage people from all cultures.
• Intercultural agility allows the leader to move with confidence between different cultural settings and contexts in a complex environment.

Having intercultural agility allows leaders to grow. Leaders become more responsive when dealing with the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) of today. Not only is it helpful when acknowledging and working with people drawn from different country cultures but also those from different professions, ages, backgrounds, religions, and any of the cultural dynamics that exist in teams of the European Commission. Intercultural agility is an important part of fostering cohesion and a constructive, safe working culture internally. It is also vital when looking outward, focusing on partnership and effectiveness, and therefore directly impacting results.

‘What will these skills do for me as a Head of Cooperation/Sector/section ?’

Having interculturally agile leaders is an essential part of the condition for success in collaborating better and differently with internal and external stakeholders. Intercultural leadership enables team leaders to actively guide, define and enable a healthy and productive working culture.