By Jean-Luc Cerdin,
Professor at ESSEC.

Within today’s context of growing globalization, Developing Global Executives inquires not about whether to develop global executives, but how to do so. This book answers this question for both companies and managers concerned about their careers. The authors rapidly note that there is no one ideal profile, nor one simple formula to develop good global managers.

The authors performed an in-depth study of 101 executives, whom they qualify as “real global leaders.” These top managers, averaging 48 years of age and nine years abroad, were selected by their companies for their exceptional performance to participate in this book. Sixteen companies and thirty-six nationalities are represented by these talented executives, who speak about both their personal and professional experiences. The authors traveled the globe to meet with them. To understand the careers of these 101 managers, the authors let them speak in their own words, and secondarily made quantitative analyses. Yet, the personal anecdotes are what teach us the most. This book contains fascinating life stories. They recount both successes and failures, without giving simple, universal answers. They show that nothing can be taken for granted once and for all, that openness toward learning and the ability to learn from experience is the only salvation.

The authors recognize the distinctive character of each recounted experience. However, they also manage to draw some general conclusions. They focus on individual experiences and the lessons learned from these experiences. They draw 952 lessons classified into twenty-seven categories and six major topics, including learning to cope with cultural differences, as well as learning to know oneself and one’s career goals. The successes of these talented managers and the failures they observed help the authors derive recommendations for the development of global leaders that can be applied to companies and individuals alike.

Throughout the book, the two authors emphasize the complexity of people development in general. On several occasions, they compare executive development on the national and international level. The second level is clearly more complex and is distinguished by two layers of complexity—relative to business issues on the one hand and to cultural issues on the other. The latter level helps develop the overall mindset of people living a global experience. Living and working in another culture is indispensable, without denying the contribution of other shorter or different experiences, such as working with people from other cultures in one’s home country. This is not the first book to state the important role of expatriation in skill development, nor to explain the keys to successful global careers, such as the importance of organizational and family support. This book focuses on the importance of exposure to other cultures, for globalization, far from erasing cultural differences, can sometimes enhance them.

Jean-Luc Cerdin is a professeur at ESSEC and a consultant. He is author of "La Mobilité Internationale" (Manageris 78a) and "L'expatriation", published by Editions d'Organisation.

[Reading Tips] [Critical commentary] [Further readings]

• La mobilité internationale (International mobility)
  Jean-Luc Cerdin – Les Editions d'Organisation. (Book and Manageris synopsis 78a)
• Managing Across Borders
  Christopher A. Bartlett, Sumantra Goshal – Harvard Business School Press. (Book and Manageris synopsis 26b)
• High Flyers
  Morgan W. McCall – Harvard Business School Press. (Book and Manageris synopsis 55b)
• Riding the Waves of Culture
  Fons Trompenaars – Irwin. (Book and Manageris synopsis 29b)