Rice Wine with the Minister

In this summary you will learn

• What three factors define successful global leadership
• What 21 tips global leaders need to know and practice

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Why you should read Rice Wine with the Minister

Many guides on business etiquette prepare you for global travel, from how to use chopsticks in Shanghai to how to negotiate taxi fares in Nairobi. But Andrew and Nada Kakabadse’s book goes beyond quirky foreign customs to explain why people still are so different despite living in a seemingly homogenized world. The authors demonstrate some subtle yet important aspects of managing global organizations by using Andrew’s metaphor of 21 consecutive toasts with rice wine at a business dinner in China. His ability to hold his alcohol earned him the respect of a Chinese minister and opened the floor for negotiations. Globalization gives almost every firm some worldwide scope, so executives must tailor their leadership skills for a larger, more complex arena. While the authors stretch a bit to reach 21 “shots” of advice, getAbstract recommends this mix of interesting cultural facts and documented research to leaders and entrepreneurs working globally.

About the Authors

Andrew Kakabadse, a professor at Cranfield University’s School of Management, and Nada Kakabadse, a professor at the University of Northampton Business School, both write extensively on leadership and corporate governance.