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Many expatriates who, if they manage to adapt to the customs and traditions of a country, encounter obstacles in their business and difficulties in familiarizing themselves with a foreign professional culture.
With globalization, companies are sourcing more and more abroad or sending employees to work in their subsidiaries or international branches. These expatriate workers are then faced with a cultural upheaval that will have to be faced to facilitate their integration into the company. Entering a foreign company requires an adjustment period.
Adaptation period
It is important as a first step to familiarize yourself with the culture of the country, to understand the rudiments of the language and to make new knowledge in order to be perfectly at ease in this environment and to be able to adapt as well as possible in this new company. If today intercultural management takes a preponderant place in companies, newcomers must however become acclimatized to a system which is sometimes completely unknown to them. The first days in the company as an expatriate can go very smoothly. However, it is recommended to apply some basic principles.
Listening
In order to better understand this new system and how it works, listening skills are essential. Paying attention to colleagues and supervisors while remaining discreet and humble is a first step towards inclusion. This is also a way to find out what types of relationships employees have with each other in order to follow this model. Some employees of the company will probably be accessible and available, while others will probably be more reserved, you need to be able to juggle and accommodate different characters.
Knowing how to adapt your lifestyle
Used to the way of life in their country of origin, expatriates should be able to radically change their behavior in certain foreign companies. The codes are no longer the same, an attitude and an adapted know-how will be appreciated.
Rely on your managers
Each company, each country, each company has different management methods which must be imbued with in order to derive maximum benefits. Moreover, if respect for one's superiors is a universal rule, it is even more so in the context of an expatriation. The referents will be able to develop an employee, they are also a source of knowledge and experience which one should not hesitate to take advantage of. An attitude of respect and recognition will always be welcomed.
Bond with colleagues
Being a foreigner in a company is not a handicap, but other employees may experience some embarrassment, even jealousy, when faced with a newcomer. Being available to one or the other if they are curious will facilitate integration. Skills and experiences acquired in another country are an added value that others can benefit from.
Sharing this knowledge will create valuable bonds with colleagues and allow you to feel in perfect synergy with them. It is also very likely that certain friendships will form and that extra professional invitations will multiply. In general, being attentive, respecting differences in cultures, religions, customs and being able to decode certain facts and gestures in this new environment will allow successful integration.
A positive, curious and open attitude is the key to successful integration and international mobility.
by Julie Leprohon
