The landscape of global mobility continues to evolve, and at its helm are remarkable women leaders who are reshaping the industry through innovation, collaboration, and passion. We recently had the privilege of speaking with two distinguished mobility leaders who made the Top 250 Women Leaders in Global Mobility list — Jane Rhodes, Head of Global Mobility at Scania, and Jyotirmayee "JC" Chaturvedi from Genpact — who shared valuable insights about leadership, work flexibility, and the future of mobility.
Leading Large-Scale Programs
Both leaders manage substantial mobility programs that highlight the complexity and scope of modern global mobility. At Scania, a 130-year-old Swedish manufacturing company focused on sustainable transport solutions, Rhodes oversees approximately 50,000 business trips annually across 22 managed markets, 500 expatriate assignments, and 600 foreign local hires. Meanwhile, at Genpact, a global professional services firm, JC manages around 800 relocations and 1,500 business visitors annually.
The Importance of Flexible Working
One of the most striking emerging themes was the critical importance of flexible working arrangements. Both leaders were unequivocal that workplace flexibility is non-negotiable in today's environment. For JC, who is a caregiver for her parents, remote work enables her to balance personal responsibilities with professional obligations. Rhodes, based in the Scottish Highlands, demonstrates that effective mobility leadership can be delivered from anywhere, challenging traditional notions about workplace presence.
Key Leadership Qualities
When discussing essential qualities for mobility leaders, several key attributes emerged:
- Passion: Both leaders emphasized that passion is crucial for surviving and thriving in the dynamic world of global mobility
- Innovation: The ability to think outside the box and push boundaries rather than accepting the status quo
- Communication: Strong communication skills are essential, with an emphasis on over-communication rather than under-communication
- Collaboration: The ability to work effectively across teams and cultures
- Customer-Centricity: Both leaders emphasized the importance of putting the customer - their mobile employees - at the heart of everything they do
Building for the Future
The discussion also touched on developing the next generation of mobility leaders. Rhodes emphasized the importance of building empowered teams through trust, autonomy, and open communication. She advocates for the co-creation of solutions, noting that "I've got one brain, and in this room, we've got twenty brains."
Looking Ahead
The conversation revealed that successful mobility leadership today requires a blend of traditional skills and modern approaches. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, embrace technology, and maintain a people-first mindset while driving business objectives is the winning formula.
As the mobility industry continues to evolve, leaders like Rhodes and JC demonstrate that success comes not just from technical expertise, but from creating inclusive environments, embracing flexibility, and maintaining a passionate commitment to supporting mobile employees and business objectives alike.
Through their leadership, they're not just managing mobility programs - they're helping to shape the future of work itself.
You can access the complete show recording here.
Learn more about the Top 250 Women Leaders in Global Mobility.
.jpg)