You’re a mid-career professional working abroad. What are the skills you need to stay competitive?

Language proficiency is essential for effective communication and integration into a host country's professional environment. Cultural awareness is crucial for navigating diverse work environments and fostering productive relationships. Flexibility and resilience are essential for navigating cultural differences and regulatory complexities. Continuous learning and innovation are vital for staying competitive in a globalized workforce. Building a strong professional network and fostering collaborative relationships are essential for advancing your career internationally. Leadership and management skills are essential for driving success in international contexts.

Show respect for the culture, be eager to learn, invite correction, and don't take yourself too seriously. Every day learn three phrases that might relate to the day's activities and use them when possible. Language is important, but respect even more so. A little research into priorities like history, society, culture, leaders, current projects (environmental, etc.) will let you mention those during quiet moments.

A hack I usually use to quickly improve language skills, especially when preparing to work abroad, is to immerse myself in the language through entertainment and social media in that language. This means watching movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos, listening to music and podcasts, and even following influencers and news outlets from the host country on social media platforms. This method not only enhances vocabulary and listening comprehension in a more engaging and less formal way but also helps you get accustomed to the speed and nuances of everyday conversation that textbooks often miss.

Learning the local language is key to remaining relevant as a mid-career professional. Whether it is learning basic elements of the language to communicate with local restaurant staff, taxi drivers, or impress stakeholders with business-level proficiency, knowing the language can help protect yourself and gain opportunities. Some local staff made initially be tolerant of speaking English with you at work but eventually they will get tired of it and start systematically excluding you from work-related or social events. This can become a challenge if the local office gets new leadership that has a desire to make the office "more local" and "less international (diverse)" as an excuse to "improve efficiencies".

Man sollte stets bereit sein sich in Bereichen ausserhalb der eigenen Komfortzone zu bewegen, auch im Hinblick auf die sprachlichen Fertigkeiten.

I've seen too many professionals working internationally take the "this is he way we did it where I come from" attitude. Nothing will turn your local colleagues off more than that approach. Yes, take what you know from working in your home country and apply it where appropriate but don't make the locals feel like you think that their approach is "less than." Bonus points if you can make changes and have them believe it was their idea and you're just leading the implementation. Thant builds trust and fosters better teamwork in the future.

We need to "prime the respect pump" by taking the initiative. Realize that you will make well-meaning mistakes and be admired for making the effort (too few visitors do) Make a point of regularly going to a popular local spot (market, event, meetingplace, etc.) and mention you went, or just ask if you could tag along. Participate respectfully in any significant activities when. While working in the Middle East, I strictly observed Ramadan then was invited to many Iftar meals. I also asked about opportunities like desert picnic. This enriched and expanded my awareness and ability to chat with colleagues and clients.

Das kulturelle Wissen ist perfekt, um Gespr?che zu er?ffnen oder zu füllen, zudem demonstriert man mit dem Interesse an diesem Thema seine eigene Weltoffenheit.

Executives suffer culture shock more than any other group because they assume things will go as they do "back home." My "27-mistake Hack" is really powerful-- try it. Early every morning, say with a smile "Today, I will make 27 stupid mistakes." Try to do everything right, but count how many stupid mistakes you made... let's say 10. At the end of the day, say "Wow, I'm 17 mistakes ahead of the game!" Your day will be more relaxed and your day will suddenly seem positive. Simply by relaxing and setting realistic expectations, you will find you make fewer stupid mistakes, learn more, and will be more respected and relatable.

In your spare time, look into continuing education whether it is postgraduate studies or online certification programs from established universities and companies. This can also include learning a new language, getting certified in new tools, or the knowledge needed for a career change. With that in mind, please also make sure the certificates and degrees from these programs are recognized both in your overseas location and your home country.

Lernen h?lt jung und verbindet. Man kann viel von KollegInnen lernen, unabh?ngig davon, ob sie ?lter oder jünger sind. Der Austauch und die Konservierung des Wissens sind das wahre Erfolgsrezept.