Why HOSB Can't Always Harmonize with IFSN

Understanding GM Types and Making Sense of Global Mobility Dynamics

If you are wondering what the letter combinations in the headline mean, then you may not have heard about the MasteringGM? WAVE Framework and the corresponding WAVE Trait Navigator. Well, we believe it is time to change that!

Who is this article for?

Global Mobility professionals, HR managers, and business leaders who are keen to understand the diverse approaches within their teams and optimize their Global Mobility (GM) strategies. In this article, we will introduce the MasteringGM? WAVE Framework, explore how research and practice in Global Mobility can fuel each other, and introduce the innovative WAVE Trait Navigator tool. This tool has been developed to identify the unique types of GM professionals and provide actionable insights to enhance both personal and organizational effectiveness.

We will cover:

• Introduction to the WAVE Framework: Understanding its four dimensions and their relevance in GM.
• The Diversity of GM Approaches: Exploring how different professionals approach the WAVE dimensions.
• The Development of the Trait Navigator: The journey from research to a practical assessment tool.
• Benefits of Knowing Your GM Type: How understanding your type can lead to better decision-making and strategy development.
• How to Get Started: Taking the WAVE Trait Navigator assessment and leveraging the insights gained.

This article provides a comprehensive overview for those looking to deepen their understanding of GM dynamics and leverage the latest tools to drive success in their organizations. So let’s dive right into it!

The MasteringGM? WAVE Framework

Global Mobility has become an integral part of modern business strategies, particularly for organizations seeking to expand their operations globally and leverage international talent. However, managing GM effectively requires a nuanced understanding of various strategic dimensions that contribute to the success and sustainability of mobility programs. This is where the MasteringGM? WAVE Framework comes into play. The WAVE Framework, developed through rigorous academic research and extensive practical experience, provides a structured approach to enhancing GM strategies by focusing on four critical dimensions: Workforce, Adaptability, Value, and Engagement.

To further refine and understand these dimensions, the WAVE Framework incorporates two key axes: the internal/external perspective (focus scope) and the processes/people axis (strategy orientation). This coordinate system opens the door to a deeper understanding of GM dynamics and how they impact organizational success.

Internal/External Perspective (Focus Scope)

This axis helps differentiate between internal and external elements of GM programs.

• Internal Focus: Involves elements within Global Mobility, such as employee development, internal mobility policies, and in-house GM and expat training programs. It emphasizes building and leveraging internal talent pools to meet global needs.
• External Focus: Involves elements outside Global Mobility - within the organization, like HR, or the C-Suite, but also outside the organization, such as partnerships with external vendors, compliance with international regulations, and understanding market-specific challenges. It emphasizes the integration of external expertise and resources to enhance GM initiatives.

Processes/People Axis (Strategy Orientation)

This axis differentiates between process-oriented and people-oriented strategies.

• Processes: Involves the systems, procedures, and methodologies that support GM activities. It focuses on creating efficient, scalable, and repeatable processes that ensure consistency and compliance across global operations.
• People: Involves the human aspect of GM, including talent development, employee engagement, and leadership cultivation. It focuses on fostering a supportive and enriching environment for employees involved in international assignments.

By intersecting these two axes, the WAVE Framework delineates the four critical dimensions, providing a comprehensive and balanced approach to GM strategy:

Workforce

The Workforce dimension emphasizes the human element of GM. It is centered, inter alia, around developing global talent, ensuring employees are well-prepared for international assignments, and aligning mobility programs with overall talent management strategies. By concentrating on workforce development, organizations can:

• Equip their employees with the necessary skills and support to succeed in international roles.
• Enhance employee satisfaction and retention through well-structured mobility programs.
• Ensure a steady pipeline of globally experienced leaders who can drive the organization’s international growth.

Adaptability

In today’s rapidly changing global environment, flexibility in GM programs is crucial. The Adaptability dimension highlights the need for agile processes that can respond to evolving global conditions, regulatory changes, and shifting business requirements. Effective adaptability ensures that:

• Mobility strategies remain relevant and effective despite changing circumstances.
• Organizations can swiftly adjust their GM policies and practices in response to new challenges and opportunities.
• Companies can maintain operational continuity and minimize disruptions in their global operations.

Value

The Value dimension is central to the WAVE Framework and focuses on demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) and other value propositions of GM programs. This dimension encompasses both the financial impact and the strategic benefits of mobility initiatives, such as knowledge transfer, leadership development, and enhanced organizational performance. By understanding and articulating the value of GM programs, organizations can:

• Align mobility initiatives with overall business objectives.
• Gain executive support by showcasing the tangible and intangible benefits of GM.
• Optimize resource allocation to ensure the most impactful use of mobility investments.

Engagement

Engagement is about the relationships and communication strategies involved in GM. This dimension examines how well GM programs engage with key stakeholders, including employees, senior executives, and external partners. Strong engagement practices are vital for:

• Fostering collaboration and support across all levels of the organization.
• Ensuring that stakeholders are well-informed and aligned with mobility objectives.
• Building a supportive network that enhances the overall effectiveness of GM initiatives.

The Importance of the WAVE Framework

The WAVE Framework is essential for multinational organizations, as it provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating and enhancing their GM strategies. By focusing on these four dimensions, companies can identify strengths and areas for improvement, leading to more effective and impactful GM programs.

The framework helps organizations to:

• Develop a clear and structured GM strategy that aligns with their broader business goals.
• Enhance their ability to respond to global challenges and opportunities.
• Demonstrate the value of GM initiatives to senior executives and other key stakeholders.

By leveraging the MasteringGM? WAVE Framework, organizations can ensure that their GM programs are not only effective but also contribute significantly to their overall success. The full research paper detailing the WAVE Framework is available free of charge at: https://learning.mastering-gm.com/products/communities/mastering-gm        

?

The Diversity of GM Approaches: Exploring how different professionals approach the WAVE dimensions

Global Mobility professionals bring diverse perspectives and approaches to their roles, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the WAVE Framework dimensions. Understanding these variations is crucial for tailoring strategies that leverage individual strengths and address specific challenges within GM programs.

Each dimension of the WAVE Framework—Workforce, Adaptability, Value, and Engagement—requires distinct competencies and outlooks. GM professionals naturally approach these dimensions differently, often gravitating toward what feels more intuitive, natural, or comfortable for them. On each dimension, a professional can fall anywhere on a spectrum from one extreme to another, or somewhere in between. There is no right or wrong position, it’s simply a matter of different strengths and inclinations.

For instance, in the Workforce dimension, professionals can range from Harmonizers to Innovators. Harmonizers focus on maintaining cohesion and stability within teams, ensuring that everyone works well together. Innovators, on the other hand, push for new ideas and creative solutions, often driving change and transformation within the organization.

In the Adaptability dimension, the spectrum ranges from Organizers to Flexers. Organizers excel at creating structured, predictable processes that ensure consistency and reliability. Flexers thrive in dynamic environments, adapting quickly to new challenges and changes, and ensuring that the GM strategy remains agile and responsive.

The Value dimension spans from Sustainers to Creators. Sustainers focus on enhancing and maximizing the efficiency of existing processes, ensuring that the current systems deliver optimal value. Creators are oriented towards innovation, always looking for new opportunities and ways to generate additional value, often through groundbreaking initiatives and ideas.

In the Engagement dimension, the range is from Balancers to Networkers. Balancers excel at maintaining and nurturing existing relationships, ensuring that all stakeholders feel supported and valued. Networkers are adept at building new connections and expanding the organization’s reach, constantly seeking new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration.

The combination of a professional’s position across these four dimensions creates a unique type, reflecting their overall approach to Global Mobility. This understanding is critical for organizations to effectively leverage their GM professionals' strengths, tailor development opportunities, and optimize their Global Mobility strategies.

?

Benefits of Knowing Your GM Type: How understanding your type can lead to better decision-making and strategy development

Understanding your Global Mobility type is crucial for optimizing both personal and organizational effectiveness. Let’s get back to the headline, remember HOSB and IFSN? Well, now you know that these are examples of two distinct GM types: HOSB (Harmonizer, Organizer, Sustainer, Balancer) and IFSN (Innovator, Flexer, Sustainer, Networker). While both types bring valuable skills to the table, their different approaches can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies if not properly recognized and managed.

When HOSBs and IFSNs work on the same GM program without understanding their respective types, conflicts naturally arise due to their different approaches. For instance, a HOSB might prioritize maintaining team harmony and following structured processes, while an IFSN might focus on innovation and expanding relationships, potentially causing friction in how tasks are approached and executed. This lack of awareness can lead to misaligned goals, reduced productivity, and missed opportunities for synergy.

Recognizing and understanding your GM type, as well as the types of your colleagues, can provide numerous benefits:

1.???? Enhanced Decision-Making: Knowing your own and your colleagues’ GM type allows you to understand your natural tendencies and biases, leading to more balanced and informed decision-making. For example, a HOSB type can leverage their organizational skills while being mindful of the need for innovation and flexibility that an IFSN type might bring.

2.???? Improved Collaboration: Understanding the different GM types within your team fosters better communication and collaboration. By appreciating each type’s strengths, you can allocate tasks more effectively, ensuring that each team member’s skills are utilized optimally.

3.???? Tailored Strategy Development: With insights into your GM type, you can develop strategies that align with your strengths and address your weaknesses. This leads to more effective and targeted GM initiatives that are likely to yield better results.

4.???? Conflict Resolution: Awareness of the different GM types can help in resolving conflicts more efficiently. Understanding the underlying motivations and approaches of different types allows for more empathetic and constructive conflict resolution.

5.???? Professional Growth: Identifying your GM type provides a clear roadmap for personal and professional development. By recognizing areas for improvement, you can seek out opportunities and resources that help you grow in your role.

6.???? Strategic Alignment: Understanding the diverse GM types in your organization helps in aligning individual contributions with the overall strategic goals. This ensures that the GM program supports the broader objectives of the organization effectively.

Knowing your GM type and those of your colleagues equips you with the tools to navigate the complexities of Global Mobility with greater precision and effectiveness. It enhances your ability to lead, collaborate, and innovate, ultimately driving success in your GM initiatives.        

How to Get Started: Taking the WAVE Trait Navigator assessment and leveraging the insights gained.

The MasteringGM? WAVE Trait Navigator is a research-backed assessment designed to help you understand your unique Global Mobility type. The assessment takes only about five minutes to complete and provides invaluable insights into your strengths and areas for growth within the WAVE framework.

Currently, the WAVE Trait Navigator assessment is freely available, offering you a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of your GM approach without any cost. By taking the assessment, you not only gain clarity on your professional style but also enhance your ability to lead and innovate in the Global Mobility space. You will receive your individual report straight to your inbox, absolutely free of charge. Check it out here: https://score.mastering-gm.com/wave