I would like to begin my article with a qualification. It depends. If you work in a U.S. company which has no plans of expanding into other geographical locations, then there may not be the need, or the opportunity, to live overseas. However, if you work in a multinational company and want to rise to the executive operating committee, it is probably necessary to learn about the different cultures which exist in your company, demonstrate your adaptability and flexibility and establish networks in non-U.S. locations.

As I have had the opportunity to live and travel overseas (I have lived in Europe and traveled in Africa. Asia, South America, and North America), I understand a little about the difficulties one may face when experiencing a different culture. People live differently. They eat differently, shop differently, learn different things in school, dress differently, listen to different music, etc. You know what, they probably think differently too! Does this sound like diversity to you? At times these differences may be difficult to get used to. Working in an office in a different culture will probably present similar challenges. These experiences may influence your conduct significantly. In these situations individuals have the opportunity to demonstrate their flexibility and adaptability. Executives need to take such situations in stride and go forward in accomplishing established goals despite cultural paradigms.

A global company must encourage synergy between its multinational locations if it is to survive in the current world economy. In my experience, people are more apt to synergize when they feel that their interests are represented by the people making decisions. I would suggest that this is accomplished when executives establish a network in various geographical locations within their company. Although these days travel, video conferences and e-mail may offer the opportunity for frequent communication between people on different continents, I would anticipate these means offer limited opportunity to truly expand a network. However, living in a different location for a year or two and seeing people at all levels of the organization daily offers a much richer and diverse opportunity to establish a network.

Every company and certainly not every career path requires you to live overseas for an extended period of time. However, if you would like to become a member of the executive operating committee of a multinational company. I would suggest that you should look for a good opportunity to live overseas to experience cultural diversity and establish multinational networks.
 
 

Is it necessary to work overseas to be promoted into the higher echelons of a company? Or can you get enough relevant experience without having to spend 6 months, 1 year or more overseas?

No, it's not necessary to work overseas to be promoted into the higher echelons of a company. It may help and I would recommend working overseas since I worked in Germany from 1993 to 1996. But I think the reasons one goes to work overseas should be personal ones. If you do it just to get promoted to the higher echelons, there may be problems. Look at your bosses and key people in the company now. Did they work overseas and get a promotion because of it? If yes, then that sets the stage. If not, which is more normal in my experience, then look at what it does take to move up. Also, consider-Do you want to be a higher echelon? Not everyone wants or needs or can to be the head echelon!

The overseas experience educates in ways you cannot imagine until you go through it. It can change your thinking and interaction style. When you return to your company that sent you, people wonder why you are acting different. They can forget about you and/or assume you are just like you were before. Peers will get promoted while you are gone and although you may also get promoted when you return, if you don't it may be hard to keep up with the competition who stayed and developed the connections that you don't have in the US. You miss the experience your peers had and they missed your experiences.

Since most industries, especially automotive, are working globally now, there will be opportunities in your company to work on projects connected to other countries. Short-term projects that require travel to other countries or working with diverse groups of people will help increase your value to the company. That is really what you want to do-Increase your value to your company and for yourself in the long-term job market. Also, I have noticed that people travelling to a foreign company to work on a project are treated and viewed differently, (mostly better) than those that may be resident in that country. You are a guest rather than a fellow worker. These are just different experiences.

Although I wrote the ''No'' opinion, I would recommend going overseas, if the opportunity comes. Go for your own and your family's personal reasons, not to "climb the corporate ladder". There is no guarantee that the experience will lead to a promotion when you return. But the personal and professional growth will be with you and your family forever. It will change you (for the better I think) forever and it is so much fun! Auf weidersehen.