The Relationship between Cross Cultural Experience and Training, and Leader Effectiveness in the US Foreign Service

Abstract

This study tests the proposition that cross cultural experience and culture training positively affect a leader's choice of leadership behavior appropriate to the local cultural environment and, thus, his or her effectiveness. The study, however, found no significant relationship between cross cultural experience and choice of leadership style appropriate to the host country's work-related values. While there was a positive relationship between culture training and effective leader behavior, the study found that among those supervisors who exhibited the perceived appropriate leadership style, the difference between those who had culture training and those who had no training was not significant. The study results have implications for private sector organizations operating in cross cultural settings. Areas for future research are recommended.