31. An OD Leader's Expat Journey with Berry Lumpkins

What’s it like for a native of Tennessee to build a successful in learning, leadership development, and organizational development in Europe and the Middle East? Today, we find out because we’re talking to Berry Lumpkins. Berry has followed a very non-traditional career path that took him from the home of country music to exotic, far away places in Europe and the Middle East.

Berry Lumpkins is currently the Global Director of Organizational Development at NKT Group based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prior to joining the NKT Group, Berry held a number of global and regional roles with DP World, FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank), Zurich Insurance Group, A.P. Moller-Maersk and Siemens focusing in the areas of learning, leadership development, talent and culture, based in the US, Europe and the Middle East. He holds an MA in Ethics from the University of Wales, UK, and a BA in Philosophy from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. Berry is a dual national (Sweden & USA), currently living in Sweden with his wife, two children, and a cat.

On today’s episode you’ll learn:

• Berry’s expat journey from that’s taken him around the world
• What it takes to be successful in a cross-cultural environment
• How to respect the culture of the host country, while remaining authentic delivering unique value
• People’s similarities and differences across countries and cultures
• Key Leadership Lessons from a career spent overseas

 

Links for This Episode:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berrylumpkins

• Manage HR Article: https://leadership-development-mena.managehrmagazine.com/cxoinsight/-3-great-leadership-lessons-from-my-career--nwid-1041.html

 

Connect with Dr. Mike: 

• Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com
• Book: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpatterson
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson
• Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What’s inside today’s episode
• 5:00 Get to know Berry Lumpkins
• 12:27 Berry’s unique approach to teaching
• 19:25 The dangers of stereotyping the ones you lead
• 23:00 The power of hospitality and going the extra mile
• 28:21 Lessons every leader needs to understand
• 37:08 The craziest thing that’s happened to Berry abroad