Lucy Foster, Global Account Manager - Impact Group
Benefits of Relocating: 4 Ways to Expand Your Horizons
In IMPACT Group’s recent People Perspective on Relocation Report, employees stated the top reason they accepted a relocation was for personal career development. When asked what positive outcomes came from their move, they shared:
• 71% new experiences • 55% better long-term career • 40% better community.
A desire to grow likely motivated you to risk the unknown of living in a new country in order to achieve personal and professional gain. And new experiences are just the way to achieve this. Your international assignment is a great opportunity to change your perspective, understand diverse points of view, and cultivate compassion and empathy.
As you undergo your transition, reap the many benefits of your relocation with these four guidelines to expand your horizons:
1. Welcome the unique challenges of the move
If this is your first move or even your first international move, you are probably unsure of what to expect. This means you might have trouble anticipating challenges before they find you.
As you navigate throughout the move, you’ll need to think quickly and adjust your expectations often. IMPACT Group pairs relocating families with a transition coach to help them address these unknowns on their journey to creating a new life.
Cynthia Bucy, a Career & Transition Coach at IMPACT Group, recommends acknowledging that there is a grieving process that needs to take place.
“You’re stepping away from what is familiar – perhaps a city you loved and a house you built,” she comments. “There will be challenges. Recognising these challenges will help you to not be fully blindsided.”
With this in mind, learn to be open and honest about your feelings both in the office and at home. It will serve you well as you work through each bump in the road.
2. Spend time learning public transport so you familiarise yourself with available resources in your neighbourhood
There is likely a bus or rail system that will allow you to explore your new city. London is an especially great city to explore by underground and bus. If you can buy a discounted option, like a weekly or monthly pass, do that. Lucy Foster, a Transition Coach & Global Account Manager, recommends:
“Take as many rides as you can as soon as you can. As you ride along, note the addresses of shops that look interesting, restaurants where you might want to eat, famous landmarks and historical buildings you might want to visit, etc. It won’t be long before others are asking you where things are!”
Your move will give you an opportunity to explore other cultures, foods, hobbies, and things to do. Seeing the new world around you will help you appreciate the diversity all around you. Take the opportunity to explore and be a tourist in your new home town. The unfamiliar will soon become familiar.
3. Embrace diversity through making new friends
This is a great time to branch out and meet new people. Cynthia suggests:
“Find ways to get to know your neighbours on a personal level. We naturally will ask them what child care facility or dry cleaner they use. We feel comfortable asking these questions. However, you’ll develop a meaningful relationship if you are intentional about going deeper than surface level.”
Spend time outside so you have more chances to encounter new neighbours. Host a dinner or coordinate a street party to get other families engaged. Invite colleagues and their families to join you at an event. Small steps like this can lead to lasting friendships.
Regina Moser, Career & Transition Coach, learned the importance of being a joiner after relocating six times for her husband’s career. “Being the new kid on the block can be challenging.
"It was important for me to be a welcoming presence and say, ‘Welcome, welcome, welcome!’ to new people and new experiences.”
She coaches her families on the significance of taking initiative instead of waiting for a personal invitation. “You’ve got to learn to be okay with knocking on doors!”
4. Accept that the different scenarios that arise are opportunities for self-development
Cultural nomad Tracy Kautzmann, our Director Global Client Relations, shares: “As change takes place, you may feel overwhelmed and lost. Growing from the change can be daunting and scary at first.” But a new and improved you can emerge. “Many of the individuals I coach treat the relocation as a new beginning,”
Cynthia adds. “They take the opportunity to do things they’ve always wanted to do but never made time for.” The coaching process can bring clarity on what to embrace next.
Regina shares personal insights, stating “I learned that each relocation was an opportunity to reinvent myself. Gaining the ability to creatively and quickly learn new information is one gift of moving.”
Your attitude about the move will dictate many of these areas. When you view the experience as a bold new adventure, you’re excited for what lies ahead – and willing to make the most of a few setbacks while creating your new life.
IMPACT Group founded the relocation spousal coaching industry to make transitions more productive and less stressful for everyone in the family. For 30 years, we’ve coached 100,000+ families on building a new life and making new memories faster – no matter where in the world their relocation takes them. Learn more at www.impactgrouphr.com.