Before choosing someone for an overseas assignment, it is important to define the assignment, what skills are necessary, and the length of time the assignment is expected to be. All of these factors should influence the choice of the person going. Obviously, for shorter assignments (a few weeks or less) the following issues will vary in importance.
The intensity of the overseas experience is in direct relation to how the climate, culture, and language differ from one’s own. The greater the degree of difference, the more intense, and therefore stressful, the experience. An American going to Britain will likely not have as intense an experience as an American being sent to Asia, Africa or the Middle East.
What international skills and experience does this person have?
Has this person ever traveled internationally before? Does s/he speak the language of the place they are being sent to? Is s/he familiar with the culture of the new place? Does s/he have a high degree of self-awareness? Does this person want to go, or is s/he a reluctant expatriate?
Consider the person’s personality and psychology
Adapting to life in a foreign environment requires flexibility and a high tolerance for ambiguity on the part of the sojourner, because there are so many things that are difficult to understand or simply don’t make sense within one’s own logic. Choosing someone who is flexible, open, and can deal with differences easily will increase the chances of a successful adaptation. “Culture shock” is a very real phenomenon, and the degree to which this is experienced depends on the person, the country, and the training and support received. Some people, no matter how well they perform their jobs, are unsuitable candidates for overseas assignments because their personalities and make-up do not lend themselves to such a major transition. Some folks are exhilarated by these kinds of assignments, some are not, and companies lose a LOT of money when they can’t tell the difference!
Consider overall health issues
The adaptation to an overseas assignment can be extremely stressful, especially if the culture and climate are very different from one’s own. In addition, unfamiliar viruses and bacteria can stress the immune system, which also requires time to adapt. It is not unusual for expatriates and their families to get sick more often when they go overseas. Make sure the person you are sending is in good health to begin with. Also, if there are any issues with the employee’s or their immediate family member’s health, the employee may feel uncomfortable with or be unable to take on a long term overseas assignment.
Having one’s family along on a long term international assignment provides a support to the employee, but also requires training and on-going support for all family members. An employee can’t function well in a foreign environment if their family members are miserable, a fact that many companies have come to appreciate after an employee cuts short an assignment prematurely because of family stress.
Who will the employee be reporting to at the home office, and does that person have overseas experience?
How sensitive will the assigned manager be regarding the challenges involved with an international assignment? Is the superior familiar with the country,environment, and challenges that will be faced?
Will the employee be managing people in the foreign country?
If the employee is expected to not only function well in an international setting, but also manage others who are culturally different from him/her, all of the above issues become even more critical. Having an international coach/consultant on your team to help choose and prepare the right individual will greatly improve your success rate!
What pre-departure training will the employee and family be given?
Pre-departure training about cross-cultural adaptation in general, communication, and information about the country the employee (and family) is being sent to is crucial. Depending upon the role they will fill, language training is recommended, especially in cases where they will be managing people who speak a different language than they do.
What on-going support will be provided?
Having a coach that specializes in international business/expatriate living available for regular discussion with the employee and members of their family, via telephone, is an investment that will pay off for the company. The transferred employee will have higher morale, lowered stress, and will be able to talk frankly with someone with international business experience, helping to improve their performance while on assignment.
Gemini Consulting provides assistance in selecting, training, and coaching employees and their families who will be going on overseas assignment.
CEO Dr. Annie Shibata has 16 years experience as an expatriate businesswoman in Japan.