Building a Global Career in International Finance with Robert Williams
The Center for Global Business recently hosted Robert Williams, CEO of Scotiabank, Costa Rica, and Senior Vice President of Scotiabank Central America, as part of its Global Frontier Speaker Series. Drawing from his 22-year career with Scotiabank and his extensive international experience, Williams shared valuable insights for aspiring global leaders.
1. Long-Term Vision with Adaptability
Williams emphasized the importance of having a five-to-ten-year plan while remaining flexible. He always had a clear destination in mind, he said, which guided his decision-making throughout his career. However, he stressed that this long-term vision should be dynamic, evolving with one’s role and circumstances. This approach allowed Williams to navigate his career path effectively, even when specific goals shifted.
2. Calculated Risk-Taking for Growth
Taking calculated risks played a crucial role in Williams’ career advancement. He encouraged stepping out of one’s comfort zone to seize growth opportunities. Williams’ own journey from risk management to general management exemplifies this principle. He emphasized the importance of self-confidence in tackling new challenges, stating, “I always felt that I had enough within me to be able to drive through any of the challenges that might come through the process of growing into a new role.”
3. Cultural Fluency Beyond Language
While acknowledging the advantage of his bilingual skills in English and Spanish, Williams highlighted the critical importance of understanding cultural nuances. He stressed that true effectiveness in international business goes beyond language proficiency to encompass comprehension of cultural contexts, business norms, and subtle communication cues. Williams noted, “It’s about understanding the messages behind the language… people have different ways of expressing themselves and their business norms.”
Dive deeper into Robert Williams’ global business wisdom by watching the entire talk on our YouTube channel.
