Evidence, Insight, Impact: The MasteringGM® Podcast

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben explores why Global Mobility is often difficult to explain to senior stakeholders — and why this lack of clarity creates real challenges for the function. Drawing on a personal reflection from a conversation with a CFO, the episode shows how Global Mobility’s value is frequently reduced to operational tasks, and what gets lost when its broader contrib...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben makes a clear case for professional development in Global Mobility — not as a luxury or reward, but as an essential part of doing the job well. Acknowledging the constant pressure and workload Global Mobility professionals face, the episode reframes development as a deliberate, sustainable choice rather than something to postpone until “things calm do...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben discusses a recent research paper published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management that examines when cultural intelligence actually supports expatriate cross-cultural work adjustment — and when it does not. Rather than treating cultural intelligence as universally beneficial, the study shows how its effectiveness depends on specifi...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben explores why being “employee-centric” in Global Mobility — while well-intentioned — can sometimes create unintended consequences. The episode challenges the assumption that employee-centricity automatically leads to better outcomes and argues for a more intentional, principle-based approach that balances care with clarity, consistency, and sustainabil...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben unpacks why the term “Strategic Global Mobility” is used so frequently — and yet often explains very little in practice. The episode challenges common assumptions about what makes Global Mobility strategic and reframes strategy as contribution to decision-making rather than status, proximity, or language.   What This Episode Covers  • why “s...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben discusses a research paper by Tony Edwards and his co-authors that examines how global HR norms are created and negotiated inside multinational companies. Rather than treating global practices as simple headquarters-driven rollouts, the episode explores norm-making as a dynamic, contested process — and explains why this perspective is highly relevant...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben explores why Global Mobility business cases often struggle to resonate outside the function. Rather than arguing that business cases “fail,” the episode unpacks common structural issues: hidden assumptions, inward-looking logic, and a focus on activity rather than impact. It then outlines how Global Mobility professionals can build cases that speak to...

Episode Description  In this episode, Benjamin Bader explores why exception culture quietly drains time, credibility, and value in Global Mobility — and why the solution is not stricter rule-following. The episode argues for flexibility by design: structured, principled decision-making that allows case-by-case judgment while preserving consistency and trust.   What This Episode Covers&nb...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben explores why so much learning in Global Mobility fails to translate into changed practice. While knowledge acquisition is common, real behavioral change is far less so. The episode focuses on what it takes to design learning experiences that actually stick and lead to different decisions, actions, and outcomes in Global Mobility roles.   What Thi...

Episode Description  In this episode, Ben discusses an open-access research article on expatriate performance management in multinational companies. Drawing on a large international comparison, the episode explores how organisations from different countries design and use expatriate performance management systems, and why there is no single “best” model. Instead, the episode highlights the im...

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 T...

Episode Description In 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 Episod...

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 ma...

Episode Description In 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 wor...

Episode Description In 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 cult...

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...

Episode Description In 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...

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:...