Navigating Expat Transitions: Coaching for International Professionals

Transitioning into or out of an international work assignment can bring excitement and uncertainty. KGKAssociates can help you navigate this time effectively and with confidence.

Moving Abroad

The opportunity to live and work abroad may be the realization of a long-held dream. Or it may be a necessary step to advance your career or to strengthen your credentials within an organization. The attitude you bring to your expat experience can go a long way towards ensuring that you have a positive and enriching experience. Working with a coach in advance of your move can help you identify concerns that may hinder you, and uncover resources that can support you. Some topics that could be addressed in a coaching engagement before departure include:

• Concerns about cultural adjustment

• Presence and first impressions

• Disruptions to family life and the impact on work performance

Adjusting to Your New Home

Once you're settled in your temporary new home, you may find additional and more immediate issues arising. Often, expats struggle to find balance between their "old" life and their current life. It can be difficult to maintain relationships over long distances and many time zones. You may feel guilty about missing events or milestones back home, or worry about not being able to help in an emergency. At the same time, you and your family may be experiencing the excitement of making new friends and exploring a new country and a new culture. And on top of all of this, you're in a new job, likely managing a new team, and dealing with the pressures and expectations of your work. It can be a lot to manage, and a coach can help with these and other concerns, including:

• Managing an international or cross-cultural team

• Understanding expectations

• Communicating effectively

• Balancing priorities

  
  

Returning Home

The end of an expat assignment brings its own set of challenges and emotions. Depending on how long you've been abroad, you and your family may be saying goodbye to good friends, and to a way of life you've come to value. You may struggle to explain or share your experiences with colleagues or family back home. It can be difficult to incorporate new values or adopted customs into your American life, and you may not wish to go back to how you lived before. Even if you're happy to be home, you may be feeling the loss of meaningful relationships and experiences. At this moment, working with a coach can help you think through:

• Integrating your experience into your life and leadership

• How to apply any new or expanded values

• Your future goals

The opportunity to live and work abroad can be enriching and rewarding, and it can provide new perspectives on culture, communication, and teamwork. Applying our lens of invitation, attention, and curiosity, KGKAssociates will help you make your international assignment a transformative experience.