There it is, the “announcement” I hear for the first time since my book was published. Prepare for Landing: Guidelines for Intercultural Leadership.
I am traveling on flight LH 780 of Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Singapore. From there, the journey continues on to Sydney.
In the book, there is a photo of the approach of flight LH 438 from Frankfurt to Dallas, landing at the airport in Texas. I have flown this route countless times, along with many others, during my years as a global manufacturing leader at an international chemical company headquartered in Dallas, with plants around the globe.
And now, after the book’s release, there was a small photo shoot high above the clouds, between breakfast and landing. The pictures were taken by a friendly flight attendant.
The book is not about Lufthansa, but the airline does appear in it. In a not insignificant supporting role. In the title.
Prepare for Landing. This is the captain’s command to the crew, which the passengers also hear. It calls for an inner readiness to face what might happen in the next few minutes. Scenarios are played through, both positive and critical, and the crew prepares for landing.
I experience such landing moments in a similar way myself. I reserved the last hour before landing for reflection. I sorted my thoughts and noted down answers. Over the years, these reflections developed into the idea of a book.
Prepare for Landing has become a metaphor for me: arriving consciously, not only in the aircraft but also in life. Shaping transitions, taking responsibility, thinking through scenarios. Leadership means preparing landings: for oneself, for teams, for organizations.
And now also together with family, when travel is no longer about business but about encounters.
What do you think: How could Prepare for Landing be anchored as an attitude within organizations?
——————
Strong intercultural leadership enables global teams to achieve outstanding results with clarity, trust, and impact. In my book, you will find four guiding principles to strengthen collaboration across cultures. I am Bernd Scharbert, and I am here to support you.
And in Guiding Principle Number 3, we explore how teams can learn about culture together. Travel included.
The e-book, „Prepare for Landing: Leitlinien für interkulturelle Führung“ is available at the online shop of Verlag Barbara Budrich as well as the print version. In German language, though, as I am now working on the English translation.
