5 insights from being in the 'business of people'

Yesterday marked a significant milestone for Expat Orbit- we turned five. Birthdays, beyond the candles and cakes, are moments of reflection. These past years have been a journey, not just in business but in the realm where business intersects with people.

Here, I share some personal learnings drawn from interactions with clients, partners, colleagues, and leaders in the global mobility and HR industry.

Leading with vulnerability

In the world of international assignments, leadership demands a unique blend of depth and breadth. It often means admitting you don't have all the answers.

Managing the intricacies of tax treaties, immigration laws, employees expectation, company's objective, requires stitching together insights from experts across domains.

If you look at it- the puzzle isn't quite easy to solve, when the pieces are constantly moving.

Being comfortable with acknowledging "I don't know", and then asking the 'right questions' to the right set of experts is the mindset you need.

I distinctively remember our conversation Shivani Sharma, the person who has truly internalised this philosophy. She is refreshingly comfortable with vulnerability, fostering genuine connections and fruitful collaborations.

Vulnerability, as it turns out, is the gateway to courage.

Nothing can replace the joy of taking care of your people

'Joy'—it’s not just a feeling; it's this powerful force that can drive you further than any shadow of 'Fear' ever could.

For those of us who have this instinct to care deeply, the real fulfillment comes from seeing your people happy.

Let me share about Digambar Sahu, a true leader. In the midst of all the chaos during Covid, he took charge of this massive repatriation mission for his company's employees scattered worldwide, far away from their families.

So, when I asked him, "Digambar, what's the proudest professional moment for you?

It wasn't metrics, numbers, or awards.

No, it was that simple joy—the kind that comes from knowing his people were not just safe but also happy.

Understanding people's psyche is 90% job done

Being a marketing person, I'm always drawn to this subject.

The real wisdom, though, doesn't come from textbooks. It emerges from those genuine conversations where you truly grasp where the other person is coming from.

When you step into the world of expats and global work dynamics, it's a whole different story.

It's not just about understanding; it's about going the extra mile. It's about immersing yourself in their cultural tapestry, understanding what uniquely defines each person, and having empathy for challenges they're dealing with in their current environment.

I had fun learning about Manishi's (our trusted Japanese language and cultural expert) teaching methodologies. When our Japanese clients go through the lessons from 'Fun with Hindi', they get this fantastic one-on-one time with her.

It's not just about practicing what they've learned; it's about crafting each conversation based on what the learner is genuinely interested in! And you know what? The expats absolutely love it!

Just picture this: you're in a new land, wrestling with a new language, and everything around you feels unfamiliar. In those moments, having someone who can make things familiar for you is comforting.

Active listening goes a long way

You know, there's something magical about just sitting back and truly listening.

When you get that, incredible things unfold- both in work and life.

I witnessed this first hand in our most recent engagement with Majorel, engaging with Thai expats in India. Prateek Agarwal and Santanu Basu go extra mile to understand- what is it that people truly want?

A lot of it comes from reading between the lines, and then breaking it down to:

• What's an absolute must-have,
• What would be nice to have,
• What's a definite 'no' for the employees,

And then tailoring solutions that work for everyone.

As Santanu reiterated in one of the conversations, the essence is making them feel, "someone is there for you in a foreign country."

Asking yourself: How does it help my people?

Sometimes, you've got to pause in the whirlwind of new solutions and ask yourself a simple question: How does this help my people?

This idea hit home during a conversation with Nina Sharon Scott, and it's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Processes and technologies—they're just tools, means to an end. In the last couple of years, the global mobility industry has been on a rollercoaster, adopting new strategies and solutions to keep up with the changing business landscape. Suddenly, employees weren't just local; they went global, and so did their jobs. The rise of globally distributed teams became more common than ever.

Here's where Nina blew my mind. Her approach to understanding these trends, dissecting solutions in the market, and then weaving in the 'best fit solution' for her organization—mind-blowing is an understatement!

The true opportunity lies in recognizing that at the core of every successful business are people, and cultivating genuine empathy for them propels you further, both in the intricate dance of life and the world of commerce.

Birthdays are also meant for celebration ??

Cheers!