Pali Sathappa knew he wanted to be a leader, but until Tuesday night, he was not sure exactly what being a leader entailed.
Sathappa, a UB graduate student and native of India, joined 30 international students Wednesday in a Student Union meeting room for "Leadership Across Borders: International Differences," a forum organized by the Leadership Development Center.
"I had the urge to become a leader, but I didn't know what American culture wanted from me," Sathappa said. "I asked, 'How do I manage as a leader in this culture?'"
At the forum, six panelists discussed how students like Sathappa can become global leaders in a world where many cultures perceive leadership differently.
"Not everyone thinks of leadership the way people in the U.S. do," said panelist Barbara Bunker, professor emeritus of psychology. "It's important to look at leadership in an international context."
Eastern countries in particular have different notions about authority and leadership, said Weiming Ma, a senior project engineer at Delphi Thermal Systems in Lockport.
"When you're young, you're taught to obey your teacher, obey your parents," Ma said. "When you come to the United States, it becomes different."
Ma came to the United States from China in 1979. He said his work ethic at Delphi earned him the nickname "Tasmanian Devil."
"Don't be shy," Ma said. "Management will say, 'I need a volunteer.' Always volunteer."
"American society has an emphasis on the individual, not the group; materialism not spirituality; and the future, not the past," said Gabriela Nechita, a graduate student in the School of Education.
Nechita, who works as an intern in the Leadership Development Center, organized the panel because of her own experience adjusting to American leadership styles, she said. In 1993, Nechita moved from Romania to attend UB and study music composition.
"I met and worked for people who were oblivious to people from other cultures," said Nechita.
Nechita stressed that students can be active leaders without sacrificing their ethnic heritage.
"My culture emphasizes congeniality, and I like to include that in my leadership style," she said. "Include your national festivals or holidays into your workplace setting."
The discussion of leadership in a global context is relevant to all students, said Edward Brodka, assistant director of the Leadership Development Center.
Holding a bookmark-sized placard titled "What Businesses Want," Brodka said the forum addressed two items listed on the placard: leadership ability and knowledge of other cultures and languages. He said conferences such as this one are beneficial to all students, not just international students.
"Even if you're not an international student, you're going to be working in a multinational environment," said Brodka.
Syed Zia Halizuddin, a graduate student studying electrical engineering, said he attended the forum to learn how foreign-born citizens might become leaders in the United States.
"I want to learn how to deal with cultural differences, and how a leader is effective in different situations," said Halizuddin, a native of India.
Scattered throughout the audience were a number of UB faculty and staff. Connie Beroza, a staff member in the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, said she attended the forum to learn how international students perceive leadership.
"I work with many international students," Beroza said. "I took notes about leadership styles and how students evolve into leadership roles."
Brodka and Nechita both said the leadership forum was successful but said more programs for international students are needed.
"We live in a different society today. There is a lot of hatred," Nechita said. "If I open a little door or window to who we really are to students, scholars and businesses, that's a step towards new possibilities for us."
Whether he settles in the United States or India, Sathappa said he would be an effective leader.
"Even though there are so many different cultures, the idea of leadership remains the same," he said. "Wherever I work, I'll be a leader for sure."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
