Preparing Future Leadership: The Cultural Competencies of Third Culture Kids

Author Information

Narmadha Kamalakannan, Ecole Des Ponts Business School, France
Sezi Cevik Onar, Ecole Des Ponts Business School, France

Abstract

As global mobility is increasing, a growing number of children are being raised across cultural and national boundaries, forming a unique group known as Third Culture Kids (TCKs). A TCK is spending a significant portion of their developmental years outside their passport country due to a parent’s international work, often in diplomatic or expatriate roles. This paper is exploring how the cross-cultural exposure, adaptability, and identity complexity shaped by such experiences are positioning TCKs as valuable leadership talent in the emerging context of Industry 5.0. Existing literature is primarily focusing on the identity formation and adaptive traits of TCKs during their formative years. However, limited research is examining how these traits are evolving into adulthood especially within corporate and global leadership environments. This study is addressing that gap by using qualitative methods, specifically in-depth interviews with adult professionals who are identifying as TCKs. Participants are reflecting on their lived experiences, cultural fluency, and leadership behaviors in international workspaces. The research is identifying key competencies such as cultural intelligence and flexibility that are emerging as naturally developed assets among TCKs. It is analyzing how these capabilities are aligning with leadership demands in increasingly interconnected digital world. The findings are offering implications for global organizations seeking future-ready talent and for educators aiming to embed intercultural competence into mainstream curricula and leadership frameworks.

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