How do you manage conflicts of interest abroad?

1 Identify potential conflicts

To identify potential conflicts of interest in your work environment, you need to be aware of your own interests and biases, as well as those of your stakeholders. Financial interests such as investments, contracts, gifts, or fees could influence your judgment or behavior. Personal interests like family, friends, hobbies, or affiliations could affect your loyalty or objectivity. Cultural interests like beliefs, values, norms, or traditions could conflict with the host country's laws, customs, or expectations. To gain a better understanding of these aspects, you can use tools such as the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index or the Hofstede Cultural Dimensions to compare and contrast different cultures and their attitudes towards conflicts of interest.

2 Disclose and discuss conflicts

The second step is to disclose and discuss any actual or perceived conflicts of interest with your manager, team, or client. Transparency and communication are key to building trust and credibility, and to avoiding misunderstandings or accusations. You should disclose any conflicts as soon as possible, and explain how they could affect your work or decisions. You should also seek feedback and guidance from your manager, team, or client on how to resolve or mitigate the conflicts. You should respect their opinions and perspectives, and be open to compromise or alternative solutions.

3 Manage and monitor conflicts

The third step is to manage and monitor the conflicts of interest that you have disclosed and discussed. You should follow the policies and procedures of your organization and host country regarding conflicts of interest, and document your actions and outcomes. You should also review and update your disclosures regularly, and report any changes or new conflicts that may arise. You should also evaluate your performance and behavior, and seek feedback from your manager, team, or client on how well you are managing the conflicts. You should also be prepared to face any consequences or sanctions that may result from your conflicts of interest, and learn from your mistakes.

4 Avoid and prevent conflicts

The fourth step is to avoid and prevent conflicts of interest that you can foresee or anticipate. You should be proactive and ethical in your work, and avoid situations or activities that could create or worsen conflicts of interest. You should also educate yourself and others on the risks and impacts of conflicts of interest, and promote a culture of integrity and accountability in your organization and host country. You should also seek support and advice from your manager, team, or client, or from external sources such as mentors, coaches, or counselors, if you need help or guidance on how to avoid or prevent conflicts of interest.

5 Respect and appreciate diversity

The fifth step is to respect and appreciate the diversity of interests and values that you encounter in your work abroad. You should recognize that conflicts of interest are not always negative or harmful, but can also be sources of learning and innovation. You should also acknowledge that different cultures and contexts may have different approaches and standards for dealing with conflicts of interest, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. You should also respect and appreciate the different perspectives and experiences that your colleagues and clients bring to the table, and seek to understand and empathize with them. You should also celebrate and leverage the diversity of interests and values that you have, and use them to enrich your work and relationships.

6 Balance and align interests

The sixth step is to balance and align your interests with those of your organization and host country. You should not sacrifice or compromise your interests or values, but neither should you impose or ignore them. You should strive to find a balance and alignment that respects and benefits all parties involved, and that supports your personal and professional goals. You should also communicate and demonstrate how your interests and values align with those of your organization and host country, and how they contribute to their mission and vision. You should also seek and create opportunities to align and harmonize your interests and values with those of your colleagues and clients, and to collaborate and cooperate with them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?