Still, the risks of a career detour loom large. MNEs regularly tout a foreign assignment as a meaningful development experience that prepares managers for broader responsibilities. As the reasoning goes , it improves skills and expertise , fosters cultural awareness, increases confidence in overcoming challenges , and enhances creativity through exposure to new ways of doing things. Until recently, however , the odds were on a neutral or negative career outcome. As Tom Schiro of Deloitte & Touche observes , “Some MNEs just sent some body overseas and forgot about them for two years.” Then, after returning , the company may be slow in rewarding a manager’s successful international experience with an expanded leadership role.