Most companies recognise the benefit of having leaders with
international experience, but few offer the developmental opportunities to gain
it. It’s up to you to take responsibility for improving your cross-cultural awareness.
Here’s how:
Strengthen relationships.
Cultivate the contacts and friends you already have across national and
cultural boundaries. Offer to assist them with something; what follows may help
give you insight into unfamiliar environments.
Start locally.
Social media has opened up new opportunities to connect from home. LinkedIn’s
network statistics function, for instance, shows you the geographic reach of
your network and where it’s growing fastest. Reach out to people in regions you
want to learn more about.
Go. International
travel is vitally important. When working abroad, make sure you leave the hotel
— and stay an extra day or two to visit museums or attend cultural events.
