Developing global leaders is vitally important to global companies today. Leaders with a truly global mindset will be better equipped to capitalize on global opportunities faster and react quickly to (and perhaps even avoid) challenges that emerge. Unfortunately, it’s extremely difficult to develop a global mindset that truly permeates leaders’ daily decision making and practices.
There are three key activities for organizations to keep in mind when structuring any international assignment:
1. Create a specific developmental plan. It’s important to specify which activities are targeted development goals for the leader, what the leader should learn from each, and how the learning will be demonstrated and codified. Specific learning activities, such as reflection and mentoring, should be defined for each developmental goal. Additionally, the plan should emphasize the importance of resilience and learning from failure.
“delivering results is important, but
realistic expectations must be set around timing, winning as a team,
and frequent failures.”
—DANIEL RUSSELL, RHR INTERNATIONAL
2. Manage host-country team expectations. There is an assumption that the expat will be able to deliver ROI orders of magnitude beyond their (real or assumed) expensive relocation package. Of course, delivering results is important, but realistic expectations must be set around timing, winning as a team, and likely, frequent failures. In fact, including three months just for cultural immersion—before making any business progress—is advisable in most cases.
3. Maintain contact with “home base.” Expats will need both support and accountability to continue to make progress against their plan and make changes as needed in response to their context. In addition, it’s important to communicate monthly with an executive sponsor from home base to maintain visibility, provide encouragement, and continue career planning.
If organizations want to increase the likelihood of success of global assignments, it’s advisable to put in the extra effort to plan, set expectations and overcommunicate throughout the process.
Click here to read RHR International partner Daniel Russell’s complete blog post on how expat assignments can help develop global leadership skills.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
