But because I was pregnant with my second child and had a husband who worked, some in management didn’t think I was right for the job. Luckily for me, I had an advocate in the room, someone who knew that I had expressed a strong interest in working in China.
This person recommended that rather than assume I wouldn’t go, they should ask me—just in case. When I learned of this opportunity, I made it clear to my boss that I would like to be considered and that as long as my child was born healthy I would go.
I knew I could excel in the role for several reasons. One, I had the language skills and cultural understanding, which would be helpful in picking up innuendoes and dealing with local employees in China. Second, I had certain traits that I believed would be critical to working successfully overseas, specifically my ability to adapt and build teams, as well as my management style characterized by collaboration, enthusiasm, and an optimistic attitude— skills not always valued in a traditional “command-and-control” environment in which new managers come in to take over and keep things running “as is.” Most importantly, I knew that I was supported by a wonderful husband and family, willing to take the risk and looking forward to an adventure!
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