So, Where Are the Top MNC Executives?

More Asian leaders need to make an impact in boardrooms of major Western corporations.

As Western multinational corporations (MNCs) turn to Asia for business growth to make up for weak economies in the United States and Europe, their challenge is not just opening up the marketplace but finding and building ranks of ethnic Asians who can lead their organisations.

No one doubts that this is the century of Asia, powered by the twin engines of China and India. Every major global MNC - from Pepsi to Pfizer ­- is eyeing the region's middle class and spending power. However, many global CEOs are lamenting how few Asians they have in their ranks to fill top executive positions.

The MNC is an essentially Western phenomenon which emerged nearly 50 years ago. Well into the Asian century, it will likely remain dominated by Western corporations for another 50 years. Their financial strength, brand values, corporate cultures and global reach are far ahead of most Asian companies. Except for a handful of Japanese and Korean global names and some emerging Indian technology majors, few Asian corporations can claim to be global MNCs. In my work among Western MNCs, their human resource leaders consistently - but quietly – complain the lack of leadership talent among non-Caucasians, even in Asia itself. The shortage is coming at a time when these MNCs need Asian leaders most. Asians often top the Deans' Lists of Ivy League colleges. Despite being technically sound and armed with the best degrees, Asians are often perceived to lack the 'X' factor needed for executive roles in MNCs.

Asian cultures emphasise humility, respect for elders, rote learning and academic grades. These appear to have left Asians self-­-effacing and behind in the emotional quotient scale, especially in the MNC environment. Discipline and sense of quiet achievement may have powered Asia's economic growth, but if you aspire to lead in a global MNCs, your boss is looking for something more.

In over 25 years of working in MNCs ­- 14 of them based in the US - I have found that a major missing link is that Asian managers do not develop the leadership, communicative and behavioural skills of their Western counterparts.

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