Comments on: The Trouble With Americans Abroad http://www.myglobalcareer.com/2009/12/28/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/ Advancing your career in the global economy. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 13:06:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Karen Beaman http://www.myglobalcareer.com/2009/12/28/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/comment-page-1/#comment-20164 Karen Beaman Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:23:54 +0000 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2007/03/21/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/#comment-20164 Great synopsis, Rusty, of the issues with Americans working abroad. The comment about Risk-Taking is also a big one. Research has shown that successful international workers are not only flexible and accommodating, but are also extroverted and risk-takers. You have to be open and willing to approach and embrace the new culture and oftentimes that can be frightening and/or intimidating. Other research has also shown that advanced cultural or language training has little effect on the success of an international assignment. Personality traits like flexibility, risk-taking, and extroversion, as well as corporate and familial support, are much more highly correlated with successful international engagements. It appears that people who are motivated and accommodating and who have sufficient professional and personal support networks are much better positioned to make their assignments successful. But then I guess that's true of most things in life, isn't it? Bravo to My Global Career for providing a forum and a network for international workers to obtain some of that much needed support. Allé! Weiter! Vamos! Great synopsis, Rusty, of the issues with Americans working abroad.

The comment about Risk-Taking is also a big one. Research has shown that successful international workers are not only flexible and accommodating, but are also extroverted and risk-takers. You have to be open and willing to approach and embrace the new culture and oftentimes that can be frightening and/or intimidating.

Other research has also shown that advanced cultural or language training has little effect on the success of an international assignment. Personality traits like flexibility, risk-taking, and extroversion, as well as corporate and familial support, are much more highly correlated with successful international engagements. It appears that people who are motivated and accommodating and who have sufficient professional and personal support networks are much better positioned to make their assignments successful. But then I guess that’s true of most things in life, isn’t it?

Bravo to My Global Career for providing a forum and a network for international workers to obtain some of that much needed support. Allé! Weiter! Vamos!

]]> By: The Huge One http://www.myglobalcareer.com/2009/12/28/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/comment-page-1/#comment-189 The Huge One Sun, 27 May 2007 21:59:04 +0000 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2007/03/21/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/#comment-189 I just visited Costa Rica on a business trip and head the pleasure of meeting 3 US expats running operations for their companies down there. From very large companies to 100 person firms. These folks are risk takers, adventurers in a sense, but guess what, their career opportunities will expand dramatically once they're done with their assignments. Worrying about training and what happens 2 years down the road is all fine and good, but no risk, no return! I just visited Costa Rica on a business trip and head the pleasure of meeting 3 US expats running operations for their companies down there. From very large companies to 100 person firms. These folks are risk takers, adventurers in a sense, but guess what, their career opportunities will expand dramatically once they’re done with their assignments. Worrying about training and what happens 2 years down the road is all fine and good, but no risk, no return!

]]> By: Rusty Weston http://www.myglobalcareer.com/2009/12/28/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Rusty Weston Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:31:02 +0000 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2007/03/21/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/#comment-26 It sounds like you prevented a disaster, Sara. I once tried to create a position for myself in London, but lacking executive sponsorship, I didn't get very far. Once a company decides to establish a gateway between countries, it's a lot easier to transfer (at least temporarily) because at the very least you have legal and HR watching your back. It sounds like you prevented a disaster, Sara. I once tried to create a position for myself in London, but lacking executive sponsorship, I didn’t get very far. Once a company decides to establish a gateway between countries, it’s a lot easier to transfer (at least temporarily) because at the very least you have legal and HR watching your back.

]]> By: Sara Snyder http://www.myglobalcareer.com/2009/12/28/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/comment-page-1/#comment-25 Sara Snyder Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:38:51 +0000 http://www.myglobalcareer.com/archives/2007/03/21/the-trouble-with-americans-abroad/#comment-25 Saying no is tough to do but it worked for me. A few years ago I turned down an opportunity to work for a company in Hong Kong. My boss at the time was not looking out for my best interests. No one talked about training me or what would happen when I returned. Saying no is tough to do but it worked for me. A few years ago I turned down an opportunity to work for a company in Hong Kong. My boss at the time was not looking out for my best interests. No one talked about training me or what would happen when I returned.

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