Chapter 8: Should We Open Up Wakanda? Leader Roles in External Relations

One key question for the Black Panther is how Wakanda should deal with outside countries. Wakanda had shrouded itself in mystery, and other nations had little knowledge of its resources and power. This is at the heart of the introduction of the Black Panther character. Wakanda and in turn the Black Panther has enormous power and resources. The nation can lead, but they choose not to. The decision to engage with external forces is an important one for any organization and leader.

One of the core challenges of leadership is how a leader deals with other teams and organizations. Many of the leadership theories that we have discussed in this book have focused on how leaders can best lead their own teams and organizations. But we can’t forget the important role that leaders play in modeling values and the core purpose of an organization. Leaders serve an important decision-making role in dealing with the world outside of their teams and organizations. In this chapter, we’ll discuss the ways in which leaders interact with external individuals, teams, and organizations. We’ll look at how leaders’ functions extend beyond their responsibilities to members of their own team, to how they manage and deal with the external environment. We will also focus on how leaders can function effectively within a multiteam system. Whether you’re a Wakandan or not, as a leader you must interact and negotiate with other groups to improve the position of your organization.