Dr. Guido Gianasso, a human capital management and leadership development expert, told university students that the ability to lead effectively in a cross-cultural environment is essential to their future success.

Addressing students and faculty at the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) last week, Dr. Gianasso spoke about the lessons he learned in his career and offered his observations on the changing nature of our world before answering questions from AUPP students.

Dr. Gianasso emphasized that future leaders must be able to work in a cross-cultural environment. “To survive in today’s business environment, organizations need individuals who are able to navigate the complexities of the global market,” he said.

He observed that AUPP students have a unique opportunity to gain this cross-cultural experience while learning from experienced professors from around the world and studying with peers from Cambodia and abroad.

Dr. Gianasso explained that his career could be separated into three phases and discussed the lessons that he learned from each. As a diplomat, he learned to “look at the big picture” and articulate and communicate his ideas in a cross-cultural setting. As a corporate executive, he learned about the courage and energy a leader needs to execute these ideas while meeting deadlines and being constantly evaluated. As a university professor, he discovered the joy of sharing his knowledge with others and a love of lifelong learning.

Dr. Gianasso has worked for the World Bank, United Nations and several leading multi-national corporations in the Financial and Chemical industries. From 2003 to 2013 Guido Gianasso was the IATA’s Vice President of Human Capital. He is currently Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Executive Committee at SICPA, a privately owned company providing secured identification, traceability and authentication solutions and services. Dr. Gianasso is also an adjunct professor at Nanyang Business School in Singapore.