Internationalists Make Better Managers

According to an article published in Harvard Business Review‘s September 2010 issue, “People who have international experience or identify with more than one nationality are better problem solvers and display more creativity.”  EXACTLY.  Essentially, professionals with such experience prove to be better managers overall. Organizations need and want such managers.  That’s what Perry and I have been saying ever since Get Ahead By Going Abroad was published in September 2007.  The “better manager” factor has catapulted so many women who lived and worked abroad — and are still enjoying that success today.  And in addition to women, an entire generation of Millenials stand to gain a great deal after acquiring a bit of international experience.  Beyond burnishing their management skills, these new globetrotters will actually have a better shot at landing a great job abroad in today’s tough economic times. But the global job search is still a tough nut to crack, especially if you don’t know where and how to look.

That’s where we come in.  Perry and I have been advising undergrads and grads on how to acquire and then land both global postings and/or great jobs with international exposure over the past few years.  We’ve been publishing regularly on the topic and speaking on campuses across the country. And we plan to keep it up. But we also plan to extend our knowledge and insight to interested students through our website.  In fact, to celebrate our three years in print this month (and sales still going strong!), we’ve revamped our website to include a “go-to” resource page for students interested in global careers. On this page students will find relevant, recent articles, as well as rotating tips on the search process. We offer up our email so that students can continue to connect with us — and others.

We’ll also be inviting guest bloggers to share their insight on all things global from the changing importance of foreign language proficiency to business trends in today’s hot markets.  Successful internationalists all, our bloggers will begin with the fabulous group of women featured in Get Ahead By Going Abroad. We want to keep this debate alive, helping a new generation of globetrotters make the most of their international experiences.

And on a very important technical note: We have resolved the SPAM-commenter issue! Make sure you register to receive the blog and when you have the time, add a comment. There will be a short delay in the approval process, but we’ll all be the better for it!

GO GLOBAL!!