How to Be the Global IT Executive

With some industry consultants estimating a cost of $2 billion annually to US companies because of failed international assignments it’s incumbent on companies to place capable managers in international roles — and IT is no exception.

Yet, too many companies fail to train their managers properly for international assignment. As a result, some IT managers are more prepared than others to handle the rigors of different systems, regulations, cultures, languages and work ethics.

What fundamental skills should be in your toolkit if you are asked to take on an international IT role?

Here are four key skills areas:

1. Openness to new ideas and cultures

Successful international managers are sensitive to cultural traditions and nuances that are normal for their workforces.

When I first began a management assignment in Europe, I had difficulty adjusting to a workday that started at 9:30 am, broke for a long lunch, and then resumed until around 8 pm. The logic was that headquarters was in the US, so there had been workday adjustments to create more work-hour overlap between US and European time zones. I certainly wasn’t going to change this. Instead, I had to change myself.

I also was schooled

Mary Shacklett is owner of Transworld Data in Seattle. She is an experienced IT professional, writer, and IT, marketing and advertising consultant. Mary has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and a doctorate of law from William Howard Taft University.