This was a transcendental phenomenological study of cross-cultural organizational leaders, the members therein, and the role of language acquisition, particularly as an agent of influence toward cross-cultural leader acculturation and success. Meaning is not universal from culture to culture; therefore, examining cultures through the lens of habitus and cultural dimensions theory may lead to a greater understanding of cross-cultural leader acculturation. Furthermore, understanding the cultural habitus of another may require the ability to perceive meaning through the acquisition of host-cultural language. While language, culture, and leadership are much-researched topics, the lived experience of cross-cultural leaders who have or have not achieved host-cultural language acquisition and the meanings they derive in the acculturation process is understudied. This research focused on cross-cultural organizational leaders and the relationship between language acquisition, acculturation, and cross-cultural leader success. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]