Pushpa Lama (York St John University, London Campus, UK)
ABSTRACT
In today’s globalized business environment, successful project management requires a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and the ability to adapt leadership strategies accordingly. This literature review critically analyzes the essential leadership competencies needed to navigate the complexities of managing culturally diverse teams across different phases of the project management cycle. The study highlights the importance of emotional intelligence, ethical practices, and effective communication as key factors in building highperforming teams and ensuring project success. Furthermore, the review explores the impact of organizational culture on project outcomes and the necessity for leaders to align governance standards with local norms while maintaining global accountability. By synthesizing academic theories and current industry practices, this research provides practical insights and recommendations for developing leadership competencies that foster collaboration, innovation, and ethical decisionmaking in a cross-cultural project environment. The findings emphasize the need for continuous leadership development to address the challenges of global project management and achieve sustainable organizational success.