The other day – actually over lunch in a Swiss Romand Pizzeria where we had “une Salade Nicoise” – I discussed cultural and habitual stereotypes and how individuals from different nations approach processes and procedures in work life. My two colleagues, one from Poland and one with a US/Norwegian background, yet again told me that Germans are focused, structured, organized and hardworking. Well, stereotyping, as far as I am concerned. Probably worth a whole series of blog posts in the months ahead. When we returned to our office, I reflected about the importance and power of diversity. Especially if you consult international clients with regard to their global communications strategy. A good blend of nationalities, generations, gender, sets of experiences and mindsets should give any corporation – not only communications consultancies – a boost in all aspects of its progress and development.  And while pondering on all these issues, the Mediterranean in me came out and I extended my lunch break hoping that my Norwegian boss would understand the value of  looking at how the world’s leading public relations agencies approach diversity, .

Was the result amusing or sobering? No. The result was worrying. I looked at the corporate websites of Edelman, Hill & Knowlton, Weber Shandwick, Ketchum/Pleon, and Burson Marsteller. I counted a total of 82 global executive team/board members. Just to be correct: I looked at Fleishman Hillard’s website too, but they don’t portray their global leadership. Anyway, out of the 82 global executive leaders from five leading agency networks, two, I repeat two, board members don’t have an
Anglo-Saxon origin. I found one German and one South American among the leadership teams. And for the record: Fleishman Hillard appointed a French VP Operations just in September this year.

How on earth is a globally operating firm able to develop its own international business strategy, diverse services, solutions and a truly global spirit if its leadership is lacking the Asian, the Western, Central & Eastern European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African or South American aspects and cultures? I really don’t get it. And, as far as I am concerned, the best is the title of one of the board members of a global pr agency that counts 14 Anglo-Saxon leaders: Senior Vice President Staffing and Diversity & Inclusion. It is a joke, isn’t it?