In today’s interconnected world, organizational leaders are expected to step beyond borders and operate effectively on the global stage. Leadership is no longer just about local impact — it’s about developing the mindset and skills to forge meaningful cross-cultural partnerships.

Dr. Sam Adeyemi, internationally recognized executive coach and author of SHIFTS: 6 Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Elevate Your Leadership (Wiley, 2025), shares his model for making the SHIFTS required for global leadership. His advice reminds us that global leadership calls for cultural intelligence, empathy, adaptability, and trust-building.

Here are 8 key practices for global leaders to embrace:

1. Develop Cultural Intelligence – Respect different values, communication styles, and business practices.
2. Understand Local Markets – Adapt strategies to fit unique market dynamics and consumer behaviors.
3. Know Economic and Political Trends – Stay informed to anticipate challenges and opportunities.
4. Seek to Build Trust – Communicate transparently and honor commitments.
5. Be Mindful of Behavior – Respect cultural expectations around communication, decisions, and conflict.
6. Strive for Win-Win Scenarios – Ensure fairness and shared benefit in collaborations.
7. Leverage Technology – Enable seamless cross-border collaboration with digital tools.
8. Be Empathetic – Listen deeply, find common ground, and build relationships rooted in shared values.

Global leadership is about more than scaling operations — it’s about shifting our mindset to embrace diversity, empathy, and mutual respect. By making these SHIFTS, leaders can unlock new possibilities and inspire collaboration across borders.

As we celebrate National Leadership Day on February 20th, take time to reflect on your own leadership journey. How can you expand your perspective, build trust across differences, and lead with empathy? Let’s use this day as a call to action to elevate our leadership and make a positive impact in a global context.