Know Yourself. Be Yourself. Respect others.

I just listened to an interesting podcast from Susan and Yuko (www.crossculturetherapy.com )
wherein they discuss the skills necessary for success when living and working in a foreign country, particularly an Asian country. These women report from Japan, where they work as language instructors.

The main skills they summarize as necessary for cross-cultural adjustment are acceptance, empathy, compromise/flexibility, awareness of your own culture/personality, and interest in the culture you are moving to. This is the foundation for building long-lasting success.

An interestingn part of the podcast was an interview with a Dutch expat living in Japan. He made a comment that I'd like to expand on. He said that he would advise the Japanese working together with foreigners in Japan to "Be Japanese". In essence, he believes it's best to be yourself. Only then will you communicate clearly and avoid confusion.

I'd like to add that in order to do this, you must first know yourself. Know what you believe in, when it comes to work and also with your personal beliefs. Next, understand that it's okay to be yourself. You need not rigidly "fit in" or compromise too much of yourself, or else you will be unhappy. And this will now allow you to work well.

So, there is a fine line between being yourself, that is, expressing what you strongly believe in, and compromise or flexibility with others' beliefs or viewpoints. And that line is respect. If you show respect for another person's 'different' views, you will receive respect back. This reciprocal respect builds trust over the long term.