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Relocation Success in Today's Global Society

Some people are afforded the exciting opportunity to live and work in a foreign country thanks to their sought-after professional skills. However, finely honed expertise is only part of the arsenal needed to successfully adjust to a whole new world and survive the culture shock.

Any change, even a change for the better, triggers a stress response in a person. Alvin Toffler noted in his book Future Shock, that “the need to alter one's way of life, to trade an old job for a new one, social pressures, status shifts, lifestyle modifications, in fact, anything that forces us to confront the unknown,” can trigger the 'adaptive reaction' where adrenaline is released on a prolonged basis.

Forewarned is forearmed
This is where the services and support of Meeting Point, a cross cultural and change management services company, become invaluable for prospective emigrants. Cross Cultural Training initiatives (CCT) are designed to increase awareness and understanding of some of the underlying cultural differences between communities. “Cultures which frequently appear similar on the surface may have subtle, yet significant differences which can result in unnecessary workplace stress and misunderstandings,” says Diana Lewin, Cross Cultural facilitator and consultant at Meeting Point.

In some circumstances this can result in negative outcomes for the relocation process, often at the expense of the employer. “Having some awareness and understanding of cultural differences empowers individuals to better recognize and comprehend what they may experience or have already experienced in the context of their interactions with other cultures,” she explains.

A recurrent challenge for individuals and families who have relocated is to establish and retain realistic expectations of life in the new country. CCT assists in keeping expectations realistic, thereby avoiding disappointment and feelings of alienation. CCT can also play a significant role in the success of business interactions and relationships, minimising misunderstandings and miscommunications which originate from cultural differences.

Cultural Intelligence
In today's global society it is important to have Cultural Intelligence (the so-called CQ) – the ability to function appropriately and effectively in culturally diverse contexts. Culturally Intelligent leadership in multinational organisations requires of employees to be able to work with people of different cultures, to accommodate the differences and to maximise the value in those differences.

Diana explains that through paying attention to cultural differences, leaders develop a spectrum of skills appropriate for varying cultural situations, thereby becoming more Culturally Intelligent. “The skills develop with time, experience and exposure. Leaders become more aware and sensitive to their own cultural bias and learn to reduce the impact and influence of that bias,” she says.

With relocation comes the need to make challenging adjustments to things like a new environment, culture, house, job, school, language, friends and environment. It presents the people involved with many anxieties and worries of whether they will fit in, find the things they need, have enough money, maintain or improve their standard of living or how they will manage without family and old friends.

Meeting Point's Cross Cultural Awareness Programme for moving to Australia teaches on adjustments concerning national and corporate culture, day to day living in Australia, Australian business and social protocols, cultural value systems as well as strategies for reducing the impact of culture shock. The company offers quality programmes for teams, families, corporate and individual clients conducted through facilitated individual or group sessions.

With over 20 years of experience in the human resource profession, Diana has extensive knowledge in the areas of facilitation, change management and management development. Since 2006 she has specialised in delivering cross cultural facilitation services for people entering and leaving Australia and has helped hundreds of people from vastly different cultures and countries benefit from the rich practical content of these training sessions.

Diana has worked with employees ranging from new graduates to senior level managers from all over Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Asia, and has also worked with employees' partners and families relocating to Australia. Having lived and travelled extensively throughout the world Diana is familiar with vastly different cultures and understands the challenges associated with cultural change, the types of preparation and support required and the potential to improve relocation outcomes.

For more information visit www.meetingpoint.net.au

Compiled by Paula Beezhold, 18 May 2010