Dr. Chaz Austin, with his decades of experience, describes many keys to working with executives in two major countries. “Structured like a brick,” India is a very top-down, hierarchical business structure in which “kissing up to the boss” is the main way to gain titles, gain promotions, and gain more money. Unlike a participatory “humanistic” structure which welcomes ideas from any level, Indian business in general does not encourage ideas from below and has very few opportunities for women at senior levels, except in nonprofits. Nigeria has a similar management structure and is more open to women but confronts embedded corruption, bribery, bureaucracy, and politics. Nevertheless, Dr. Austin presents a young, dynamic, Nigerian agribusiness company, Zambara, that is working to break this mold. Regarding leadership, companies worldwide that have women in senior positions generate more profits, and companies that embrace all kinds of professional backgrounds at their senior levels succeed better.

{You can hear the full episode on Friday, October 28th}