Council Post: 5 Lessons From Living Abroad That Apply To Business

Getty I know the world is vast and I have been fortunate to live and work in four countries, including the United States, Singapore, England, the Philippines and Singapore. Apart from the amazing scenery, delicious food and culture, it was a great experience that gave me new perspectives. These are some of the most important lessons I have learned from living abroad and how they can affect your work day. Our work goes beyond business. It's always been about people and being friendly wherever I have gone. It can be hard to stay on top of your work when all the attention is on revenue, strategy, budgets, and KPIs. At the end of it all, people don’t connect to data points. They connect with other people. Employees of a company need to have a purpose that goes beyond the bottom line. It is important to select highly skilled workers with the ability to work together and foster a shared vision.

You can't choose your customers, but you can choose your people. You can serve your customers with your unique perspectives, insights, and experiences. In my twenty years of experience in tech leadership, I have learned that the best products or services touch the deeper needs of customers. It doesn't matter how technical your products or services are. It's about the customer experience, and whether they are able to connect with your company's vision. It's the seed for business growth if your customers feel safe and understood. What does this translate into in practice? Consider yourself a customer. Data should be incorporated wherever possible. It's important to strike a balance between trusting your instincts and being data-driven in order to make the best decisions. All the technology and systems available today allow you to conduct data-infused business. You are a leader because you have a clear goal and an agenda. This has helped you to fine tune your intuition to read the room and make decisions with confidence. Data tells an undisputed story and must be part of your decision-making process. Don't assume the conclusions that you draw in one market, country, or situation will apply to all. Recent years have seen a shift in business to emphasize diversity and inclusion, so that the workplace is an environment where everyone can thrive. It is very eye-opening to work with people from different backgrounds and think differently. Everyone will be more open and productive if they can understand and incorporate a wider variety of situations and perspectives into their business ecosystem. The sky is the limit when this happens. You must be flexible and adaptable to be a leader, and a good person. You'll become more adept at questioning the status quo and doing the inner work required to make real progress. You will also be able to think creatively and make decisions that you may not have considered. Based on my personal experience, here's a tip: Research everything. You can learn a lot about the culture, customs, and social context of any country you are visiting or if you are trying to connect with new people. Even with all the preparation you have, there is always more to learn. Because I didn't understand cultural nuances, I made mistakes. That's the beauty and joy of learning and living! There are many avenues to personal and professional growth. Sometimes, it is necessary to move to another country or city (or more!) in order for one's growth to be truly evident. To truly learn this lesson, sometimes it takes moving to another country or city (or four!) Forbes Business Council is the leading organization for growth and networking for business leaders and owners. Do I qualify?