African Scientist in Switzerland

An outstanding African scientist takes on a position in German Switzerland. Although his primary task is scientific work, he is also given responsibility for a number of contributing scientific and technical specialist colleagues.

Executive Communication

His personal dilemma becomes visible, as the quality of his scientific work declines. What lies behind it?

In his homeland, people accepted him without contradiction as a leading personality because of his academic training and because of the local cultural understanding, which was based on tribal thinking. He observes in his new situation that his opinions about certain things are disputed by colleagues, who in turn openly articulate their own opinions. They accept him as a scientist, but not as a manager and leader.

He can’t discuss these conflicts with anyone in the organization, because from his cultural point of view that would appear as a sign of weakness and undermine his credibility. His superiors don’t understand him, and he begins to feel increasingly distressed.

Understanding the Basics

During conversations with one of our coaches he learns to understand the problem and to deal with it through further well-aimed coaching.. In role plays, he puts himself into his colleagues’ shoes, beginning to understand their way of thinking and to value their perspectives. A mutual exchange with his superiors makes our client’s special challenges clear to them, and as a result they agree to give him more support in the short term.

After three months, our client has established that his colleagues now accepted him as he is, and are convinced of his leadership competence. He stays in his position with great enthusiasm and success for another four years.