Hatching a Plan: Developing Leadership Talent in Emerging Markets

by Hal Richman and A. William Wiggenhorn

Emerging markets, which have a strong economic growth trajectory and market opportunity, are of great interest to large multinational corporations and other organizations with an international presence. But there is a lot of leadership talent waiting to be developed in these markets, and a lot of risk if this development doesn't occur. Here's a look at some actions that organizations operating in emerging markets can take to strengthen their leadership pools.

King Asoka, the third monarch of the Indian Mauryan dynasty, who ruled in the third century B.C., has come to be regarded as one of the most exemplary and compassionate rulers in history. Asoka had numerous inscriptions carved on stones and pillars throughout his empire, which included the current nations of India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. These edicts proclaimed Asoka's reforms and policies and promulgated his advice to his subjects, such as the following, cited from The Edicts of King Asoka, by Venerable Shravasti Dhammika (Buddhist Publication Society, 1993):

Everywhere has Beloved-of-the-Gods, King Piyadasi [Asoka], made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown. Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.

Asoka's legacy offers insight into a powerful, compassionate, and insightful ruler's attempt to establish an empire on the foundation of what we might call “doing the right thing” by making the moral and spiritual welfare of his subjects his primary concern.

Cross-cultural training is part of many leadership development programs, but few programs get into the depth of Asoka's. Have Asoka's principles ever been examined in depth by a prestigious Western business school or expert or formed the core of an executive development program promoting leadership competencies? What could leadership experts learn from Asoka and how he lived and worked?

The intent of this article is to provide some background on emerging markets, raise some issues regarding leadership development in these markets, and pose some provocative questions.