I’ve learned in my life that it’s important to be able to step outside your comfort zone and be challenged with something you’re not familiar or accustomed to. That challenge will allow you to see what you can do. –J. R. Martinez
Last month we introduced you to our blog series about leading as an expat, which will explore some of the opportunities and challenges leaders can be presented with in different parts of the world, when working with teams from different regions. Today we begin our series with the Middle East.
The Middle East
The Middle East has been among favourite destinations for many expats who wish to boost their careers and incomes for years now. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and others—offer a blend of thriving cosmopolitan cities and history-rich cultures. Nonetheless, as a foreigner in a Middle Eastern country you might feel like you’re from another planet sometimes.
Fear not! We’ve prepared five simple tips to help you lead your new team.
1. Don’t be formal and overly task-focused. Remember that relationship-building is at the root of success in this region. Many of the frequent misunderstandings in professional relations come from non-verbal habits in communication. Be attentive to these cues, and try to learn them as fast as possible.
2. Network and expand your circle of influence. In some Middle Eastern countries, the Arabic word for this is “wasta” and it is fairly common that business relationships get intertwined with the matters of friendship, trust, and honour.
3. Go with the flow. This can be a tricky balance to strike as a leader, but letting go of control (sometimes) is something to which you’ll need to get accustomed. Tasks might not turnaround or things might not happen as quickly as you might like. A common phrase used in some Middle Eastern countries is “inshallah” which loosely translates to “God willing”. So being patience will become a necessary trait as a leader.
4. Be conscious of the cultural and religious needs of your team members, clients and other stakeholders. Make necessary adjustments to accommodate and get the best out of them. For example, during Ramadan, be respectful of the importance this holiday has for your colleagues and stakeholders alike. For example, maintain modest behaviour, don’t expect your team to work the same hours as usual—and simply look forward to the evenings, when celebrations take place.
5. Remain respectful and appreciative of cultural differences at all times. Work with your new reality and don’t fall into the trap of trying to impose your own cultural norms and what you have been used to. Be mindful of the impact of gravitating towards people like yourself and watch out for this in your team as well.
Leading as an expat in the Middle East will, no doubt, be challenging at first. Just keep in mind that while our tips generally apply, people are uniquely different and your success will be directly associated with being open-minded, flexible and genuine.
Are you an executive leading abroad? Are there other tips you would share with expat leaders? Contribute to the conversation in the comments section below.