Evidence, Insight, Impact: The MasteringGM® Podcast

Episode Description In this episode, Ben explores what senior leaders actually expect from global mobility — drawing on years of consulting projects, executive workshops, and academic research. Rather than focusing on operational delivery alone, the episode unpacks the often unspoken expectations that shape how global mobility is perceived, trusted, and valued at senior levels.   What This Episode Covers• why tensions between senior leaders and global mobility often stem from misaligned expectations • how leaders view global mobility as a means to a business end, not an end in itself • the importance of clarity, judgment, and recommendations over policy detail • why understanding business context is critical for credibility • how early risk visibility strengthens trust rather than undermining confidence • what leaders really mean when they ask about the “value” of global mobility   Key InsightSenior leaders do not primarily expect global mobility to be perfect. They expect it to reduce complexity, exercise professional judgment, understand business priorities, surface risks early, and clearly explain its impact. Meeting these expectations shifts global mobility from a delivery function to a trusted advisor.   Why This MattersFor global mobility professionals, understanding senior leader expectations is essential for gaining influence and a meaningful seat at the table. Aligning delivery with these expectations changes the quality of conversations, decision-making, and trust across the organisation.   HostHosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®.   SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — The MasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect evidence, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Ben focuses on the role of global mobility professionals and how they can strengthen their visibility and influence within the organisation. The episode explores why doing a great operational job is often not enough — and how documenting work, using data, and telling a clear story are essential for earning a meaningful seat at the table.   What This Episode Covers• why global mobility professionals often struggle with visibility despite high performance • the role of data in shifting from execution to strategic influence • documenting work to make value visible beyond the global mobility team • choosing metrics that reflect decisions and outcomes, not just activity • using data to tell a compelling story to senior stakeholders   Three Practical Takeaways• document patterns and recurring work to make impact visible • focus on metrics that support decision-making, not just reporting • translate numbers into insights that explain risks, trade-offs, and value   Key InsightInfluence in global mobility does not come from being busy or indispensable. It comes from being able to explain what you do, why it matters, and what difference it makes. Data, documentation, and storytelling are essential tools for professional credibility.   Why This MattersAs expectations of global mobility continue to rise, professionals who can connect operational delivery with evidence-based insight will be far better positioned to shape conversations and decisions across the organisation.   HostHosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®.   SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — TheMasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect research, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

Episode Description In this episode, Ben explores the concept of psychological contracts and why they are central to understanding success and failure in global mobility assignments. The episode explains what psychological contracts are, how they form, and why they are particularly fragile in expatriate contexts. Drawing on current research and ongoing work in this area, it highlights why managing expectations is just as important as managing policies and processes. What This Episode Covers• what psychological contracts are and how they differ from formal contracts • how unwritten expectations shape employee behavior and commitment • why expatriate assignments intensify psychological contracts • key moments where psychological contracts are most vulnerable in global mobility • why many global mobility challenges are relational rather than technical   Key InsightMany global mobility problems are not caused by poor policy or weak processes, but by misaligned or unspoken expectations. Psychological contract breaches can undermine trust, commitment, and performance long before issues become visible in formal metrics.   Why This MattersAs global mobility becomes more complex and less linear, organisations that understand and actively manage psychological contracts will be better positioned to retain talent, support expatriates effectively, and create sustainable mobility programs.   Host Hosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®.   SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — TheMasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect research, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Benjamin Bader reflects on what global mobility really needs as organisations move into 2026. Rather than focusing on disruption or the next big trend, the episode argues that the coming year is about direction, focus, and strategic clarity. It explores how global mobility functions can move from constant stretch toward more intentional, sustainable ways of working.   What This Episode Covers• why 2026 is about direction rather than disruption • the limits of continuously stretching global mobility teams • the importance of focus and clear prioritisation • why judgment matters alongside policy and process • capability, credibility, and confidence as key differentiators • moving from reactive delivery to intentional strategy   Key Insight2026 is not about doing more in global mobility. It is about doing things differently. The shift from stretch to strategy requires clearer priorities, stronger judgment, and more space for evidence-based reflection. Why This MattersAs expectations of global mobility continue to rise, teams that create focus, build capability, and articulate their value clearly will be far better positioned to influence talent and business decisions in the year ahead. HostHosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®. SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — TheMasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect evidence, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Ben introduces and discusses a well-known academic study on cultural distance and expatriate failure rates by Arup Varma and Chun Wang. Rather than focusing on whether cultural distance matters, the episode explores when it matters — and what organisations can actually do to reduce failure risk in global mobility assignments. What This Episode Covers• why cultural distance is often misunderstood in global mobility • how poor adjustment and premature return are used as indicators of expatriate failure • why cultural distance only becomes a major risk under certain conditions • the role of expatriate selection and performance management in reducing failure rates • how organisational practices can amplify or mitigate cultural challenges   Key Takeaways• cultural distance is not destiny — it amplifies existing weaknesses rather than creating problems on its own • performance management plays a critical role in assignment success, especially in culturally distant contexts • the greater the distance, the more intentional and structured expatriate management needs to be Why This MattersThis episode shifts the conversation away from blaming culture and toward examining organisational responsibility. For global mobility leaders, the findings highlight the importance of strong management practices in turning culturally challenging assignments into successful ones. Referenced StudyWang, C. H., & Varma, A. (2019). Cultural distance and expatriate failure rates: the moderating role of expatriate management practices. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(15), 2211–2230. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2017.1315443 HostHosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®. SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — The MasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect evidence, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

Episode Description In this special bonus episode, Ben takes a deeper look at one of the most persistent and challenging topics in Global Mobility: return on investment (ROI). Moving beyond narrow financial calculations, the episode explores why ROI in Global Mobility is often misunderstood, how value is actually created, and why many ROI conversations get stuck before they become meaningful. Positioned as an off-cycle special, this episode connects ROI thinking to the MasteringGM® WAVE framework and argues for a shift from “proving ROI” to building ROI readiness — the ability to articulate value with clarity, confidence, and strategic relevance.   What This Episode Covers • why ROI in Global Mobility is difficult to articulate using traditional financial logic • how cost-cutting can unintentionally reduce overall value • the difference between cost justification and value creation • how Global Mobility creates preventative, enabling, and long-term value • why alignment between Global Mobility, HR, and business strategy matters for ROI   Key Insights • ROI challenges in Global Mobility are primarily about framing, not performance • value in Global Mobility is often distributed, delayed, and invisible when it works well • becoming ROI-ready is more powerful than trying to “prove” ROI after the fact   Framework Reference This episode connects ROI to the Value dimension of the MasteringGM® WAVE framework (Workforce, Adaptability, Value, Engagement). You can explore the WAVE framework at wave.mastering-gm.com.   Featured Tool: Global Mobility ROI Readiness Score A structured self-assessment designed to help Global Mobility professionals reflect on how prepared they are to articulate and evidence their value. The assessment is available free of charge at the time of episode release and provides immediate individual results 👉 Take the assessment here: https://score.mastering-gm.com/roi   Host Hosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®.   SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — The MasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect evidence, insight, and real-world Global Mobility practice.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Benjamin Bader reflects on what 2025 revealed about global mobility. Rather than a year of major disruption, 2025 exposed accumulated pressure, rising expectations, and structural tensions within many global mobility functions. The episode offers a calm, strategic perspective on why global mobility teams feel stretched — and what this means looking ahead. What This Episode Covers• why 2025 appeared stable on the surface but revealed deeper strain underneath • how rising expectations are colliding with constrained resources • growing complexity without corresponding strategic clarity • learning and capability gaps becoming more visible across global mobility roles • the ongoing tension between operational delivery and strategic ambition Key Insight2025 was not a year in which global mobility failed. It was a year that exposed the limits of existing ways of working. Understanding this distinction is critical for moving from reaction to reflection — and from activity to impact. Why This MattersTaking time to reflect on what 2025 revealed helps global mobility leaders avoid simply working harder and instead focus on working differently. Evidence-based reflection and intentional learning are becoming necessities, not luxuries. HostHosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®. SubscribeSubscribe to Evidence, Insight, Impact — The MasteringGM® Podcast for short, focused episodes that connect evidence, insight, and real-world global mobility practice.

In this introductory episode, Professor Benjamin Bader explains the idea behind Evidence, Insight, Impact and why this podcast exists. With busy Global Mobility and international HR leaders in mind, the podcast is designed to make high-quality research, current thinking, and practical insight more accessible — without the need to read lengthy reports or academic papers. What This Podcast Is About:Evidence, Insight, Impact focuses on short, focused episodes — typically around five minutes — that translate complex ideas into clear, usable insights for Global Mobility and international HR professionals. Occasionally, episodes will go deeper when a topic warrants more time. What You Can Expect: In this podcast, you will hear:• research translated into practical GM insights• commentary on current topics and developments in Global Mobility• occasional longer-form episodes and conversations with guests• evidence-based thinking without unnecessary complexity Who This Podcast Is For: This podcast is for Global Mobility and international HR leaders who care about making better, more informed decisions but who need learning formats that fit into a demanding working day. Host: Hosted by Benjamin Bader, Professor of International HRM and co-founder of MasteringGM®. Subscribe If you find this useful, subscribe to the podcast to receive future episodes. New episodes are released regularly.