Leaderonomics

karen.neoh@leaderonomics.com

My first writing assignment for Leaderonomics. Lily Cheah, whom our readers know and love, suggested that I write a piece on global exposure. Thanks in no small part to my family, I have been blessed to have studied, lived and worked in the United States, United Kingdom and across Asia.

To pen down the enriching experiences would take volumes, however, one of the reasons for returning home to Malaysia was precisely to bring back and share all I have learned and to contribute to building our nation’s people. I hope this brief summary on the topic of international exposure and mobility will be helpful. So let’s get down to business!

On the move

For years, we have not only read about the growth and increasing emphasis on emerging markets, but have lived through the changes it has brought right to our doorstep. With this shift has been a concurrent rise in labour mobility, and as reported by PwC in Talent Mobility: 2020 and beyond based on research of over 900 global companies, mobility level increased by 25% in the first decade of the 21st century, and is predicted to grow a further 50% by 2020.

In my sample set of one (me), my mobility level at work increased about three-fold in the past 10 years with the added benefits of a wealth of learning and lifetime connections with incredible individuals in five continents. Come to think of it, they are presently scattered over six continents, as friends and colleagues have likewise been moving targets.

Space-time continuum

In Global ρrms in 2020, a survey of 479 senior executives, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) projects that companies and their workforces will become larger and spread over more countries as we approach 2020. Communication across continents has become ever more important and challenging, and while technology provides a multitude of solutions to keep connected, I am not the first to wonder if there is a non-tangible cost that we are not quantifying adequately. I admit to sending out an email (or three) in my lifetime that didn’t quite hit the mark, or getting lost in the quagmire of three-timezone conference calls.

Most respondents of the EIU survey saw significant cultural and linguistic barriers in the search for talent. There is widespread recognition that localising management of overseas operations can benefit from the native manager’s understanding of cultural nuances in business practices and decision-making, but two points emerge:

· The leadership of overseas operations needs to develop a global outlook themselves

· Senior leadership at global headquarters would likewise need to evolve and develop a cultural intelligence when establishing and maintaining the company culture and values throughout the growing multinational organisation

Making the leap

According to the PwC report, 71% of millennials expressed the desire to work outside their home country at some point in their career.

Before embarking on a life-changing career trajectory, as with most decisions, it might be a good idea to take a step back and consider your personal and career goals.

For me, the attraction of living and traveling abroad was fueled by a desire to soak in other cultures, and to learn how people think differently. I have a vivid memory of attending a university event a while back which was an excellent example of the Chinese diaspora (before I had even heard of the term). In the same room were hundreds of people looking like they might have had the same Aunts and Uncles, but speaking with accents from all over, with the Mauritian accent being the most enchanting!

Yet at the end of the day, I discovered that many of the people I met were driven by similar goals and purpose regardless of origin or background. I qualify this statement by saying that the organisational culture of the learning institution, or company in which these culturally diverse individuals self-selected themselves to, is likely to have contributed to this.

The exposure and immersion in other countries have enriched my life both on a personal and professional level. It has truly been remarkable to see diverse people with a common goal and conviction come together to solve a problem.

What to pack?

In the context of an environment requiring more international experience and mobility, here are some lessons I have learnt about preparing for the trip, and being deliberate in what you bring back:

1. Be in-the-know

For your chosen field and long-term aspirations, anticipate what skills companies need now and in the future by researching and keeping abreast with the developments in your industry.

With the knowledge of your needed skill set, develop and execute a plan to upgrade your skills before and during international assignments.

Keep in mind that in addition to technical skills, companies will focus on building communication skills and cultural awareness. As companies value the ability to build relationships across borders, there is an increasing emphasis on soft skills.

2. Change can be good

In the wake of skill shortages and changing business needs, companies may need to develop new forms of global mobility. Staying flexible may open up a world of unexpected career opportunities.

Better yet, seize these international assignments with vigour if you plan to become chief executive officer of a multinational company one day. Studies indicate that international exposure is widely recognised as a vital asset (Academy of Management Journal) and an integral part of career development.

For Deloitte, international experience – whether working overseas or collaborating on cross-border projects and teams – is a “must-have”.

3. Make the most of your international exposure

In addition to first-hand knowledge you will gain from the new environment you will be living in, you may have the opportunity to be involved in key projects and access to training that you wouldn’t ordinarily have had. Stay engaged with your teammates; listen and learn.

Capitalise on the region- and industry-specific exposure you have been given, and be sure to match these up with the needed set of skills you identified for yourself.

In choosing how to spend your time abroad, consider also how the skills you acquire can be transferable to your job upon your return.

Whether you plan to return home, or keep traversing the globe, be prepared to articulate all the different skills you have developed from your international assignment, be it demonstrating your newfound adaptability to new cultures and fluency of a foreign language, or your readiness to embrace new ways of working and your understanding of local business practices.

4. Network of international contacts

One of the greatest gifts of having extensive global exposure is the opportunity to forge friendships and build networks. As with other networks, it may facilitate future collaboration; however, with a network of international contacts, you would also have a sounding board to test business ideas in different countries and settings.

Different, different but same: Connecting with geographically distant teammates on projects, working towards a shared goal or addressing a common threat has a strong unifying force, not bound by culture or language.

While some caution that cultural differences can be so important that success in business could hinge entirely upon it, I would argue that partnerships can still be cultivated when stakeholders have a shared vision and common values.

These cross-border interactions open a window into different ways of life, and threaten to stretch the notion of impossibility itself, “Nah it can’t be done!”, “Sure it can!”

5. Cultural intelligence

Research indicates that cultural awareness and the ability to adapt to different national, ethnic and organisational settings can be measured and evaluated. Cultural intelligence, which is a natural ability for some, is important for individuals and teams to be effective in the cross-culture and cross-border operations of today.

As important as I believe international exposure to be, my father always said that lessons can be learned from anyone we connect with. Exposure and personal development can take place wherever, or at whatever stage in life we are at. Keeping an open inquiring mind, being present and engaging with people around me is what I strive to do on a daily basis and I hope you do too!

Related article: Cultural Intelligence And Performance