The Would-Be Pioneer

Description

After many shorter stints abroad, and extensive experience in China, Linda Myers took a job in human resources with Korean firm SK Holdings - but was unprepared for the culture clash. In her two years in Seoul, Myers not only experienced social isolation at the office but also found that, like many change agents, her ideas went unimplemented. Yet as one of the first American female executives at a Korean firm, there was no one she could turn to for advice. The experience drove home several lessons: Learn as much as possible about the obstacles you'll face and acknowledge when they might be too much for you, understand your mandate and communicate in advance about the scope of your position with your employer, don't let day-to-day misunderstandings bother you, and take more time than you think you need to introduce even small changes. What she learned - the hard way - will be helpful to anyone considering an expat assignment or working for a foreign firm.

Keywords

Cross-cultural Relations Cultural adaptation Managing yourself Women executives