5 Leadership Lessons of Moving Abroad
Next week we’re moving! We wrap up our lives, pack our things in Hong Kong, and head to Dubai to start a new chapter in a different part of the world!
Moving is not new to me, as this will be my twelfth move and sixth international relocation.
While the logistics and preparations have become easier with each move, saying goodbye to people who have played significant roles in our Hong Kong life never gets any easier.
Nevertheless, we’re excited about embarking on this new adventure. It has made me reflect on the valuable lessons I’ve learned from moving across the globe, which have had a profound impact on both my leadership and my life. Here are five leadership lessons I’ve gained from my experience abroad:
1. Increased Self Awareness.
Living and working abroad taught me more about the unique aspects of my own (Dutch) culture and leadership style than I ever did while living in my home country.
The Dutch are known for their direct communication style, not hesitating to challenge others openly. I’ve learned, having spent almost 15 years living and working abroad, that this directness can be perceived as blunt or even rude in other cultures. Now, I’m more conscious of adapting my communication approach depending on the cultural context, using different tones or words when expressing my thoughts or I approach people one-on-one.
2. It makes you adaptable.
Every time, you have to navigate and figure out how to collaborate effectively in multicultural environments and adapt your leadership style to various contexts. Building trust with clients in China, for example, works differently than in Western Europe. In China, trust is built through extensive relationship building efforts (giving people ‘face’). You spend time together discussing and sharing meals. If you want business partners to trust you, you may be asked to do work even before you sign a contract with them. Contracts are just an initial sign that they may be willing to do business with you. The contract will change over time, you will have to be flexible. In the West, a signed contract is the result of negotiation and final confirmation that you will be doing business together and making changes to a contract is not taken lightly.
3. It pushes you out of your comfort zone.
When you move abroad, you’re bound to be challenged by uncommon circumstances, unfamiliar environments, different languages, and social norms, which push you outside your comfort zone. I remember an embarrassing moment when I was invited to a company’s Chinese New Year’s celebration, which is the highlight of the year for most companies. There were about 200 people having dinner at round tables, watching wonderful traditional Chinese music and dance performances on stage. Everyone got very excited when it was time for a raffle. The winners were asked on stage for a short interview.
As one of the raffle winners, I found myself on stage, having no clue what to say as I did not speak much Chinese yet. Improvising, the event moderator said in broken English: “Sing a song.”
“Excuse me, what?”
“Sing a song, and he sang some notes to explain what he meant.”
“He can’t be serious,” I thought. But the moderator looked at me expectantly. And so I started singing the first song that came to mind: “Happy New Year” by Abba into a microphone in front of an audience of 200 people.
They smiled and clapped, but not due to my singing abilities, I’m sure.
When you go to Rome, do as the Romans do.
4. You develop a global perspective.
Living in a different country exposes you to global issues, social situations, economic and political views that may differ from your home country. It broadens your perspective and enables you to have conversations and make decisions considering various opinions from a diverse group of stakeholders. It helps you question your own ideas, assumptions, and opinions and see situations in a different light. Our understanding broadens when we take the time to find out what drives people. Challenging our own ideas and assumptions while understanding the unique backgrounds that shape people’s lives deepens our understanding and helps us appreciate different perspectives.
5. Improved Interpersonal and communication skills.
Mehrabian taught us that 55% of our communication is through body language, 38% through tone of voice, and only 7% through words. When faced with language barriers and different communication styles, you learn to listen actively, adapt your communication style, and improve your non-verbal communication skills. It’s not as much the words but rather the intention and energy behind the words that come across. Using a translator is essential, and there are more ways to communicate with people for whom speaking English is challenging:
• use storytelling and pictures in presentations;
• ask questions to find out what’s important for people and why;
• invite people to your home and accept invitations to their home – it’s a sign of trust, and it will teach you and others so much about each other’s way of life.
The more you show your ‘human’ side, the more relatable you are, and the more people will trust you and be open up to getting to know you better.
I’m sure my move to Dubai will once again put me in new, surprising, and challenging situations and will further strengthen the above skills. I look forward to creating a new life and building meaningful connections with new people in both my personal and business life.
I’ll keep you posted!
