European leadership cluster
The objective of this working group is to have developed a European Leadership framework by 2010. FEL's vision of the framework is not a static model, but a dynamic framework which will focus on the similarities, not the differences in European leadership styles. The journey that ensues from this search is as important as its destination. Possible tools are scientific research, dialogue between professionals, academics and executives, and modelling real leaders.
Why a European Leadership framework?
Most books, research, magazines, etc. dealing with leadership come from the United States. They proclaim a universal leadership styled that does not always fit with European values and customs. Although the cultural differences within Europe are vast, it makes sense to study European leadership styles that will better accommodate European customs and values.
Participants of the European Leadership Framework working Group are Ivo Matser, Peter Schansman and Peter ten Hoopen, but more, enthusiastic members are welcome.
The working Group has come up with a plan of attack. This is:
Literature Research
FEL will commission a group of students to conduct a literature study about European Leadership. From that literature they should 'pimp' the Rhineland model into a European model. They should also assess the appreciation and applicability of a European model over time. FEL has approached students of the European Studies program at the University of Amsterdam to execute the study. While FEL will formulate the goals and parameters of the research, and track its progress in relation to those goals, students will be supported by the professors of the University who will guide the research's content.
Rationale: To our knowledge, no such summing-up of thought and literature on the topic of leadership from the European angle has been done. Results of such research can be a useful base from which to move forward.
Scenario Planning
A European Leadership Framework could incorporate scenarios. We don't want to build a fixed model for European Leadership, but we want to look deeper. We want to look at changing patterns in society and the economy and other forces that influence the behaviour of managers and leaders. Scenarios could provide a useful tool to do that.
Rationale: The use of scenario studies can help transform the more static data resulting from the research, into a fluid model which can be applicable to different value systems, in multiple situations and can better stand the test of time.
Actions to be taken: All members of the working group will read the book ‘Wiens Europa wint?' by Joop de Vries by fourth quarter 2007. A dialogue with Joop de Vries about the possible use of scenarios in the model will follow.
Physical journey through Europe
FEL will visit landmarks that have been important in the history and the development of Europe. Those visits will bring 'the idea of Europe' closer to the participants. At every place there will be talks and meetings for a few days to learn about the events that have formed the Europe of today. Also, there will be discussions with local experts and stakeholders about how we as FEL want to influence the way managers think about Europe. The journey will be recorded and these records will be made available within FEL and to the outside world.
Management Education
What do managers have to know to be effective in Europe? Universities and Business Schools, or even in-company MD programs, can do a better job of training managers to function in a European setting. FEL would like to encourage universities to set up management education programs about Europe, and will develop a set of guidelines on what these programs should incorporate. Based on input from our membership and network of professionals we can get a good idea of what executives expect from their Euro-managers. First, a small group of FEL members will have a preparatory session to discuss this topic. Based on this meeting, a first draft of a program will be made by the Working Group. This draft will be submitted to a joint meeting of executives and professionals who will formulate the requirements for the education programs.
Rationale: The results of our research and the input from our executive network provide an excellent basis for putting our Framework to the test in an education setting.
These independently operating projects are all interrelated and lead us step-wise towards our goal of developing a European Leadership Framework by 2010. Yet they all have value as individual projects and all also contribute to our quest to make the journey as, if not more, important than the end result. FEL Participants will be invited for all projects.
