Why do managers fail to thrive in foreign postings?
Expatriate failure is the premature return of an expatriate manager to his or her home country. The reasons for this happening are multiple, but often related to the manager's or managers partner's inability to adjust in the foreign country.
Especially the partner may find it difficult to settle in a new environment if regulations prohibit them from working and therefore find it harder to make new friends.
Critical features of an individual who is to settle down in a new environment is strong self-esteem and confidence. He or she should be able to orientate amongst new people and have a willingness to communicate perhaps even in the host country language. Furthermore, the perceptual ability is a critical feature; whether an individual can empathize, be nonjudgmental and non evaluative in interpreting the behaviour of host-country nationals.
In conclusion, a global mindset is the ultimate attribute of a global manager.