COVID travel restrictions are easing, and we’re moving back into an international labour market for executives. 

Companies are more comfortable to ‘go the whole wide world’ to find the right candidate for senior leadership roles. Just like Wreckless Eric, they’ll go where they need to, in order to find that fresh perspective, and that right mix of skills and experience.  Their perfect match.

And executives are more prepared to consider a relocation – local or international. Why? Because an employer-sponsored relocation can provide a big career development opportunity and a new challenge.  And maybe a much needed change of scene.

Are there any risks? Of course!

Most newly hired leaders feel a degree of isolation in their first few months. The work environment may not live up to expectations. Getting an accurate read on new colleagues and their motivations may be hard. Who should they trust? Who’s on their side and invested in their success? Who could care less if they fail? 

Research indicates all senior level executive moves carry a degree of risk.  A 2017 article https://hbr.org/2017/05/onboarding-isnt-enough surveyed 588 senior executives, with 70% pointing to a lack of understanding about norms and practices in their new organisation as the biggest stumbling block during their transition.   When an executive is brought in from a different geography, the norms and practices they’re used to living with outside their work environment can add a whole new layer to the change they have to manage through.

Will your executive transition be just another reckless exercise, damaging individual reputations, team dynamics and business success?

Of course not! Because you already know this is the perfect time to call and discuss a personalised onboarding program. You already know that everyone, no matter how successful they’ve been, needs a bit of help sometimes.

You’ve just gone around the whole wide world, to find your perfect match. Now is definitely not the time to be reckless. 

As you bust a move to this blog’s soundtrack – ‘Whole Wide World’, Wreckless Eric – think about how to best set your new leader up for success.