Exploring <scp>CEOs</scp> ' Global Mindset Attributes

ABSTRACT Despite numerous studies on Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and the global mindset construct, research on the global mindset of CEOs remains limited. This knowledge gap remains especially problematic in the increasingly global business landscape of the 21st century. In this landscape, two phenomena co‐exist: the rise of foreign‐born CEOs successfully leading multinationals, and the under‐representation of female leaders at the CEO level. Therefore, this paper aims to explore CEOs' global mindset attributes and differences across male/female CEOs, with qualitative studies focusing on 25 CEOs of different ethnicities across various industries, using document analysis of 2339 pages from 250 documents (2001–2024) with a priori coding based on published global mindset variables, followed by in vivo coding. The findings indicate that psychological dimension attributes—dealing with challenges, taking risks, and testing personal abilities—are predominant. Thematic analysis supports the Upper Echelons Theory (UET), with CEOs' behavioral attributes and experiences shaping how they lead. In the technology industry, Indian‐origin CEOs excel at risk‐taking, while CEOs of other ethnicities exhibit high self‐confidence. In other industries, the social dimension is also predominant among CEOs. CEO gender differences were notable: female Indian‐origin CEOs in technology are more risk‐taking than their male counterparts, while female CEOs of other ethnicities are more risk‐averse. By extending the UET with a focus on CEOs' global mindset, this research aims to contribute to international human resource management and global leadership literature. Our findings have multiple implications for investors, board members, and CEO candidates in today's global business context.