Go Global or Stay Home! John Albertson is a young and ambitious up-and-comer. His strengths include a charismatic style, the ability for getting the best out of people, and plenty of energy. He has been in charge of the U.S. midwestern sales division for three years and has achieved outstanding results. Albertson is known, however, for a complete lack of organization (stories about his office clutter are legendary), and has been accused of being too competitive. You are a little concerned that he may be "too hungry" to be diplomatic—and diplomacy is key in this position. Maria Silva is an experienced manager who has worked for your organization for 15 years. Silva is rather introverted and withdrawn, but pleasant enough when one gets to know her well. Her impeccable technical knowledge and critical eye for detail have earned her the respect of her team—everyone knows that mistakes do not occur on Maria’s watch. Maria’s quality orientation may be valuable in Delhi because in the past there were some customer service and quality concerns in that office. Silva’s most visible weakness, however, is a certain proneness to anger—especially if critical safety rules are ignored by team members. Lewis Smith’s current job seems to match most closely with the Delhi manager’s new responsibilities. In addition, Smith has an almost uncanny ability to become everyone’s best friend. He is comfortable around Albertson’s gregariousness, appreciates Silva’s quieter style, and adjusts easily to changes. In fact, Smith’s flexibility has earned him the title of "Lewis the Chameleon," which he accepts good- naturedly. A reasonably calm and optimistic man, Smith is a good team player and has a great deal of tact. Sometimes, however, he seems almost too easy going. A touch of competitiveness and a greater sense of urgency would be helpful. Can he be tough enough when the going gets tough? Will he be aggressive if needed? Let us assume that all three hypothetical candidates fulfill the basic job requirements and have a good performance record. All three are intelligent, capable, and loyal to the organization. How should you rank their characteristics? None of the candidates has everything you need. Yes, it would be great to place all three in a blender and come up with a super manager, but that is not the nature of the beast. You must compromise. You must choose. Who are you going to send on the global assignment for your organization?