Leading Across Cultures – What Most Executives Get Wrong

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What does it truly mean to lead across cultures?

In this episode of the Leaders On Purpose Podcast, I sit down with Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President at Visa, who oversees a diverse region spanning North Africa, the Levant, and Pakistan.

With decades of experience navigating complex markets and multicultural teams, Leila shares powerful insights on leadership, identity, and what it takes to operate effectively across borders.

Together, we explore the deeper layers of leadership beyond strategy and performance: the human ability to adapt, listen, and build trust across cultures.

This conversation is a reflection on humility, curiosity, and the responsibility leaders carry when representing organizations across different societies.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What leading across cultures really means in practice

• Why curiosity and listening are essential leadership skills

• The invisible mistakes executives often make when operating internationally

• The importance of cultural intelligence in global leadership

• How personal identity shapes the way we lead

• Lessons from managing teams across North Africa, the Levant, and Pakistan

About the guest

Leila Serhan is Senior Vice President at Visa, where she leads operations across North Africa, the Levant, and Pakistan. She is widely recognized for her leadership in the financial services industry and her ability to bridge cultures while driving innovation and growth across diverse markets.

About the host

The Leaders On Purpose Podcast is created and hosted by Manal Bernoussi, international MC and moderator. Through candid conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, and thinkers, the podcast explores the human journeys behind leadership — the doubts, lessons, and purpose that shape impactful careers.

🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Deezer | YouTube 📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube.