In a world that is more globalized than ever, it has become more common to move abroad for work.
The interesting question is whether spending time abroad brings a person more clarity and heightened self-awareness or not.
When someone lives in their home country, they are more likely to be surrounded by others who have been immersed in similar cultural norms, values and language, and therefore act accordingly. On the other hand, when moving to a new country one is triggered to question their own behaviors and undergo self-discerning reflection. In doing so, that person may either disregard elements of their former ideologies and mannerisms, or strengthen them. But what is certain, is that they will be questioned.
“Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves”
David Henry Thoreau
So how does this play out in the workplace?
Possessing a greater sense of clarity and self will make someone more adept in providing and receiving feedback, as the way they see themselves more closely aligns with the way others do. Also, when someone has a clearer vision of who they are and what they stand for, they can assert themselves within a workplace with more integrity.
Confidently owning their values and guiding principles will also benefit someone when making career choices and transitions, whether in the context of moving to a new position or changing their field of work dramatically. Having a high level of self-awareness helps someone understand what their strengths, weaknesses, and values are and which type of work best aligns with them – as a result, enabling more confident decision making.
Although much of this process of self-discerning reflection is automatic once faced with a different culture, it is also a matter of letting go. Many expats experience a “culture shock” in a new country and the alienation or homesickness that comes along with it, but once they start seeing their stay as an exceptional learning opportunity that unsettled feeling typically fades away. Instead, you learn to see yourself and the world around you more broadly and honestly, which helps guide you through complex transitions.
If you are currently dealing with moving to a new country, whether it is your first time or the umpteenth time you’ve settled into a different culture, or returning to your home country after many years abroad, navigating this transition has its challenges. In a discovery call we can discuss your needs and explore how we could work together to make this step out into the world translate into an expansion of your own world of opportunities and potential success.
