Have you ever felt like a fish out of water in a foreign workplace? That moment when you realize the rules you've played by your entire career suddenly don't apply?
When I first arrived in Oregon from the Philippines in 2001, I thought my proven track record would translate seamlessly. I had been selected as the first Philippine national to serve as a global commodity manager for Intel Corporation.
But within my first few weeks, I realized something was different. In meetings, I waited politely for my turn to speak – but that turn rarely came. My carefully considered suggestions sent over email received minimal response, while ideas blurted out in meetings gained immediate traction. My collaborative, relationship-based approach that had served me well back home seemed ineffective here.
I wondered: Would I need to completely reinvent myself? Could I advance my career without sacrificing the cultural values that defined me?
Find the full transcript for this episode and other resources at AsianLeadersAdvance.com/1.
Zelle DeVilbiss helps Asian women professionals working abroad build cohesive high-performance teams and gain recognition as strategic leaders. For personalized mentoring in her 5-month signature program "Asian WOMEN Leaders Advance," visit www.asianleadersadvance.com and she will invite you to a Discovery Call.
Not sure how to market your unique value? Get your free guide "4 Ways Asian Professional Women Build High-Performance Teams and Gain Recognition as a Strategic Leader" at AsianLeadersAdvance.com.
