Traits of a Successful Leader & Entrepreneur: a Comparison of Western & Asian Styles
Research has shown that major cultural differences exist between Western and Asian cultures and this essay seeks to show that adapting a leadership style preferred by that culture will attract the greatest number of followers. This essay will also demonstrate that the key characteristics of successful entrepreneurs are consistent amongst Western and Asian entrepreneurs. Firstly culture will be defined using the four dimensions as detailed by Geert Hofstede. These will be illustrated using a comparison of Asian and Western cultures. Secondly, a discussion of leadership and the way it is affected by culture will be presented. To support this view, a comparison between Chinese and US leadership styles is used. The case study of Lenovo and Yang Yuanqing is then used to show how leadership styles are changing as China becomes host to more global capitalists. Finally the traits of successful entrepreneurs are discussed and the cases of Li Ka-Shing and Steve Jobs have been used to show the consistency amongst entrepreneurs of Asian and Western cultures.
Culture is acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour. This knowledge forms values, creates attitudes, and influences behaviour (Darlington, 1996). Geert Hofstede, a Dutch researcher, defined culture as “...the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one human group from another” (Hofstede, 1980, p. 25) . This implicitly implies that there will be differences between Asian and Western leaders and leadership qualities as there are differences in their background, ethnicity, education and family values. Hofstede’s research leads to the identification of four initial dimensions of culture that help explain how and why people from various cultures behave as they do (Hofstede, 1980). The four key dimensions that Hofstede examined were (1) power distance, (2) uncertainty avoidance, (3) individualism, and (4) masculinity.
Power distance is “the
Culture is acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behaviour. This knowledge forms values, creates attitudes, and influences behaviour (Darlington, 1996). Geert Hofstede, a Dutch researcher, defined culture as “...the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one human group from another” (Hofstede, 1980, p. 25) . This implicitly implies that there will be differences between Asian and Western leaders and leadership qualities as there are differences in their background, ethnicity, education and family values. Hofstede’s research leads to the identification of four initial dimensions of culture that help explain how and why people from various cultures behave as they do (Hofstede, 1980). The four key dimensions that Hofstede examined were (1) power distance, (2) uncertainty avoidance, (3) individualism, and (4) masculinity.
Power distance is “the