It takes a village to move an expat. Build a village to be successful.
I have moved thousands of expats throughout my career. I can name you the number one indicator that someone would fail:
isolation.
If there is one thing you must avoid: do not isolate yourself.
Not in the office, not in your social environment.
Unlock the Secrets to Success:
Getting along with colleagues
Secret #1: Observe how they Socialize.
Within the first few days of joining your new location, be observant about how, where, when, and what your colleagues talk about.
Do they ask each other how are you in the morning at their desks or at the coffee station?
What popular media or general news do they discuss during lunch?
Is it common to have a drink after work?
Be curious and notice what your colleagues care about, and approach conversations in the typical manner that they do.
This way, you will feel more familiar to them and they would be more comfortable around you – and in return, you toward them.
Secret #2: Free for coffee or lunch?
Have you read the book Never Eat Alone (by Keith Ferrazzi)?
Take the title of this book literally in your first weeks.
If you have paid attention to Secret #1 and observed how your colleagues socialize, then you would know whether they eat lunch in pairs, small groups, or big groups.
Make the initiative of inviting your colleagues for a meal, or to chat over coffee.
This is a great way to build professional relationships and to understand what matters to those you work with.
Secret #3: Learn Expressions in Local Language
A great conversation starter when you’re achieving Secret #2 is to ask your colleague(s) to teach you one expression in the local language, especially one that is useful in the office.
Working in Hong Kong, I quickly learned the word ma farn, which is used to expressed when something is too troublesome.
Everyone would be glad to teach you an expression; and everyone would appreciate you being able to know it and use it.
Try to learn 3 local expressions within your first 3 weeks.
Secret #4: Be Mindful of their Flow
You may have virtually worked with your colleagues prior to moving to this new location.
If so, don’t assume that you know their flow. Remember Secret #1.
By flow, I mean an individual or a group’s state of focus, when they are fully immersed in a process or activity.
I have noticed that the flow of people varies per country, probably in relation to culture and norms.
By being mindful of your colleagues’ flow, you could optimize your collaboration with them.
Adapt to their productivity flow; I’m sure it will be beneficial for you too.
Secret #5: Don’t Change Too Much Too Soon
I know you’re a high performer and dedicated to bring value to your work; so I won’t be surprised if you have improvement suggestions early on, that you would want to propose and implement soon.
My advice is to do Secret #1-4 first.
Build those relationships. Understand the environment. Socialize your ideas for natural adaptation.
If you change too much too soon, you would easily be branded as a disruptor.
That’s not always bad, but it’s not always effective either.
