GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
INSTITUTE
Elevate your leadership potential with World Affairs’ Global Leadership Institute (GLI). GLI is a professional development program with a curriculum tailored to assist professionals with navigating business in today’s increasingly interconnected world. Participants gain a competitive edge in the domestic and international marketplace by enhancing cross-cultural awareness and developing cultural diplomacy leadership skills.
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE?
GLI is a dynamic, cohort-based leadership development program from World Affairs. Over the course of two half-day program sessions, participants in GLI build their cultural diplomacy and global fluency skills, increasing their comfort and effectiveness when working across international cultures.
LEARN
Participate in two half-day sessions lead by World Affairs facilitators and guest speakers, utilizing the best-selling business book Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands® by Terri Morrison.
NETWORK & ENGAGE
Join a diverse cohort of professionals representing a wide range of industries, organizations, and backgrounds across the Greater Philadelphia region. Gain complimentary access to World Affairs’ speaker programs and international networking opportunities throughout your cohort experience.
GIVE BACK
Welcome new clients, guests, and business partners with confidence and strengthen the international connections in your community!
LEARN
Participate in two half-day sessions lead by World Affairs facilitators and guest speakers, utilizing the best-selling business book Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands® by Terri Morrison.
NETWORK &
ENGAGE
Join a diverse cohort of professionals representing a wide range of industries, organizations, and backgrounds across the Greater Philadelphia region. Gain complimentary access to World Affairs’ speaker programs and international networking opportunities throughout your cohort experience.
GIVE BACK
Welcome new clients, guests, and business partners with confidence and strengthen the international connections in your community!
LEARN
Participate in two half-day sessions lead by World Affairs facilitators and guest speakers, utilizing the best-selling business book Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands® by Terri Morrison.
NETWORK & ENGAGE
Join a diverse cohort of professionals representing a wide range of industries, organizations, and backgrounds across the Greater Philadelphia region. Gain complimentary access to World Affairs’ speaker programs and international networking opportunities throughout your cohort experience.
GIVE BACK
Welcome new clients, guests, and business partners with confidence and strengthen the international connections in your community!
WHO ARE GLI PARTICIPANTS?
Are you at the early-to-mid stage of your career, seeking to enhance your global fluency, leadership, and cultural diplomacy skills? Whether you find yourself jet-setting across the globe for work, leading virtual meetings with international partners, or managing relationships at the home office with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds, GLI is designed for professionals like you. If you are based in the greater Philadelphia area and are ready to make the necessary time commitments, you’ll join a cohort of like-minded professionals dedicated to elevating their leadership potential at home and abroad.
- AMETEK
- BNY Mellon
- Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney
- Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
- Citrin Cooperman
- City of Philadelphia
- Cocalico School District
- Compass Real Estate
- Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts
- Del Carmen Foundation
- Drexel University
- Ernst & Young
- Firstrust Bank
- Fox Rothschild
- Instamed
- KeyBank
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- Longwood Gardens
- Mastery Schools
- Maternity Care Coalition
- Morgan Lewis & Bockius
- Navigate
- The Philadelphia Citizen
- Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Quaker Houghton
- Rivers Casino Philadelphia
- Saint Joseph’s University
- School District of Philadelphia
- SEI
- Temple University
- UGI Corporation
- University of Pennsylvania
- Villanova University
- Wells Fargo
- The Wistar Institute
- Women Against Abuse
WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW?
Participants will engage in two immersive, multi-session program dates in Philadelphia, as well as networking and volunteer opportunities.
Day 1
MODULE 1: Cultural Diplomacy 101
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
- Identifying cultural differences in social and professional settings
- Best practices for respectful communication, etiquette, and engagement across cultures
- Cultural sensitivity in real-life scenarios: diplomacy, business, and community work
MODULE 2: Greetings & Social Distance
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
- Identifying key differences in greetings across cultures and determining personal space
- Approaches to greetings and social distance in professional and service-oriented settings
- Avoiding common taboos that may lead to misunderstanding and discomfort
MODULE 3: Communications Styles, Body Language, Gestures
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Identifying communication styles across cultures, including indirect & direct communication
- Approaches to recognizing body language, gestures, and eye contact
- Applying best practices to communicate effectively and respectfully in cross-cultural settings
NETWORKING: TBD
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- Join corporate supporters, government partners, donors, and friends of World Affairs, plus Global Leadership Institute alumni
- Apply your new knowledge in a social networking setting
Day 2
MODULE 4: Social Structures & Religious Beliefs
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
- Identifying how gender, age, and religion may influence social structures
- Recognizing key differences between individualistic and collectivist societies
- Applying practical strategies for navigating culturally diverse social expectations
MODULE 5: Language Barriers
2:45- 3:45 p.m.
- Language diversity and effective communication strategies for language barriers
- Utilizing non-verbal communication, translation, and interpretation tools
MODULE 6: Dining, Meeting, & Hosting Etiquette
4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
- Recognizing the significance of cultural etiquette in dining, meeting, and hosting
- Identifying different cultural expectations regarding gift-giving and business card exchange
- Best practices to navigate cross-cultural professional and social settings with confidence
DINNER & A DEAL: Chinese Banquet Simulation
5:00-7:30 p.m.
- Simulation on Chinese banquet dining with Cultural Hosts at each table
- Practicing dining etiquette: from seating to cutlery to offering a toast
ONGOING COMPONENTS INCLUDE:
- Volunteering at a World Affairs partner school and at World Affairs youth education programs
- Peer-to-peer networking
- Complimentary one-year Ambassador-level membership (to gift or keep) providing access to world class speaker events and programs as you choose
TIMELINE AND PROGRAM FEES
PROGRAM DATES
Day 1: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Day 2: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Rolling admission through August 28; spots are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
ADMISSION NOTIFICATION
Rolling notification through September 8, or until spots are filled.
FEE INFORMATION
Program fee: $1,500
Due date for full payment: October 15
PROGRAM DATES
Day 1: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Day 2: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Rolling admission through August 28; spots are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
ADMISSION NOTIFICATION
Rolling notification through September 8, or until spots are filled.
FEE INFORMATION
Program fee: $1,500
Due date for full payment: October 15
PROGRAM DATES
Day 1: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Day 2: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Rolling admission through August 28; spots are filled on a first-come first-served basis.
ADMISSION NOTIFICATION
Rolling notification through September 8, or until spots are filled.
FEE INFORMATION
Program fee: $1,500
Due date for full payment: October 15
Program Fees
Participation in the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s Global Leadership Institute has a program fee of $1,500.
If you are being sponsored by a corporate partner of World Affairs, that fee may be reduced or waived. The program fee will be confirmed for each individual during the application review process. If you have questions about the fees, corporate sponsorship, or scholarships, please contact Stefanie Yeung at syeung@wacphila.org or at +1 267-802-1219.
ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
BUILD GLOBAL SKILLS. EXPAND YOUR IMPACT.
FREQUENLTY ASKED questionS
GLI is an intense, cohort focused training specifically designed for young professionals looking to learn how to navigate business in cross-cultural settings. It dives deeper into cross-cultural awareness and global fluency than our Cultural Diplomacy Trainings. Additionally, GLI participants have unique volunteering opportunities, access to a network of global professionals, and complimentary access to world class speaker events.
We accept around 20 global leaders for each cohort.
Global Leadership Institute sessions are located at the World Affairs Office at One Penn Center, 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1660, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Those who complete a GLI session receive complimentary, one-year, Ambassador- level World Affairs membership (a value of $500), unique volunteering opportunities, an accredited Global Leader certification, and access to a wide network of international professionals.