How school systems influence leadership styles and behaviour

Schooling has an important impact on cross-cultural competencies because school is where pupils deepen their knowledge of culturally acceptable behaviour. The research focuses on how the German school system influences German managers working in a French environment and vice versa. The exploratory study relies on an in-depth interviewing approach. Five German managers working in French companies and five French managers working in German companies were interviewed. Results indicate that the schooling in Germany did influence the leadership style and management preferences of the German managers, qualifying them for global functions with few adaptations. The French managers were less influenced by the French schooling system, but the values related to the French education system were useful for success in German companies. Literature and empirical findings on the relation between schooling and the ability to acquire culturally effective leadership qualities is scarce. This study intends to close the gap.