Learn how HR directors should respond when a global assignee struggles with meeting initial goals and deadlines due to the cross-cultural adjustment process.
Table of Contents
Question
A manager comes the HR director and complains about a recent global assignee. The employee has been late on the first report deadline and is not meeting initial goals. How should the HR director respond?
Answer
Explain to the manager the process of cross-cultural adjustment and its effect on productivity.
Explanation
The HR director should explain to the manager the process of cross-cultural adjustment and its effect on productivity. When an employee is assigned to work in a foreign country, they go through a period of cultural adaptation that can impact their work performance, especially in the initial stages of the assignment.
Cross-cultural adjustment involves several phases:
- Honeymoon phase: The employee is excited about the new experience and culture.
- Culture shock phase: The employee starts to feel frustrated, anxious, or homesick as they encounter cultural differences and challenges.
- Adjustment phase: The employee begins to understand and adapt to the new culture, developing coping strategies and building a support network.
- Mastery phase: The employee becomes comfortable and confident in the new culture, and their productivity returns to normal or even improves.
During the culture shock and early adjustment phases, the employee may struggle with communication, social norms, and work expectations, leading to missed deadlines and unmet goals. The HR director should reassure the manager that this is a normal part of the cross-cultural adjustment process and that the employee’s performance is likely to improve as they progress through the adjustment and mastery phases.
To support the employee during this transition, the HR director can recommend:
- Providing cross-cultural training and resources
- Assigning a mentor or coach familiar with the host country’s culture
- Encouraging open communication and feedback
- Adjusting expectations and deadlines as needed
- Offering language training if necessary
By understanding and accommodating the cross-cultural adjustment process, the manager and HR director can help the global assignee succeed in their new role and contribute to the organization’s international goals.
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