“I see the world differently than you do.” The ability to shift perspectives is, in my view, one of the core leadership competencies of the future.
That is why I was very curious to read Reinhard von Hennigs’ book on American stereotypes and how he dismantles them. How does his work connect to my own Guiding Principles for Intercultural Leadership?
Each chapter demonstrates how quickly cultural patterns turn into “truths” and how much explanatory power is needed to question them. A few examples:
1- When we assume that American work motivation is primarily financially driven, we overlook the cultural importance of purpose and impact. Phrases such as “How does this help our customers?” or “What impact are we making?” show that meaning is a central driver.
2- The common simplification about American education is another lesson in context competence: project‑based learning produces different strengths than fact‑based learning. Intercultural leadership means understanding these differences rather than judging them: with curiosity instead of quick conclusions and language used as a bridge.
3- Political stereotypes follow the same pattern: loud voices shape the image more than the majority. For leaders, this means recognizing the cultural filters that shape perception, resolving misunderstandings, and creating spaces where diversity becomes productive.
Von Hennigs’ book illustrates how cultural perception emerges and how leadership can actively shape it. Intercultural leadership is not a niche discipline for international managers. It is a mindset: the willingness to examine one’s own assumptions and take the perspectives of others seriously.
And here lies the bridge: Behind every stereotype is an invitation to understand someone else’s world and to make one’s own leadership clearer, more human, and more effective.
The Guiding Principles for Intercultural Leadership translate the dismantling of stereotypes into a leadership practice centered on perspective‑taking, context competence, and relationship‑building.
And now I am interested in your view: Which perspective have you consciously shifted recently and what changed because of it?
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I am Bernd Scharbert, and I support leaders in bringing intercultural guidelines to life in everyday practice. The goal is to use cultural differences not as obstacles but as strengths and to build genuine, trust‑based connections in conversations across cultures.
I recommend Reinhard von Hennigs’ book because it shows how cultural perception is formed, how stereotypes operate, and how much context competence is needed to question them.
If you would like to explore further, feel free to take a look at my own book: “Prepare for Landing: Leitlinien für interkulturelle Führung.” Available in bookstores everywhere in Germany and in the online shop of Verlag Barbara Budrich.
