TRANSITION INTELLIGENCE (TQ)

The Missing Piece: Supporting Assignee Families for Successful Global Mobility

As organisations continue to expand their global footprint, the need for effective international assignments becomes increasingly crucial. While companies invest significant resources in ensuring a smooth transition for their employees, one critical aspect is often overlooked – the wellbeing of the assignee's partner and family.

The emotional experiences of family members can severely influence the success of an international assignment. Research confirms that partner and family concerns are the number one reason why assignments fail or succeed. For companies aiming to hire, move, and retain top talent, effective support provisions for the family are critical.

The challenges faced by partners and families during an international move are multifaceted. Leaving behind familiar surroundings, social networks, and often careers, they embark on a journey filled with uncertainty. Cultural differences, language barriers, and the struggle to establish a new sense of belonging can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and homesickness.

These emotional challenges can significantly impact the assignee's performance and productivity, ultimately affecting the overall success of the assignment. A distracted and stressed employee is less likely to deliver their best work, jeopardising the very reason for the international assignment.

Recognizing the importance of family support, Transition Intelligence (TQ) offers a comprehensive framework to address this often-neglected aspect of international assignments. Through a tailored approach, TQ evaluates an organisation's current support systems and provides solutions to meet the unique needs of assignees and their families.

The framework ensures continuous family support services. By ensuring that the emotional and practical needs of the family are met, TQ empowers assignees to focus on their work responsibilities, leading to improved performance, higher morale, and successful cultural integration.

Overlooking the wellbeing of assignee families can have far-reaching consequences. By prioritising family support, organisations can not only enhance the success of their international assignments but also foster a positive company reputation, strengthen global teams, and improve overall productivity.

As you plan your next international moves, remember the key to success lies in supporting the entire family unit. Invest in Transition Intelligence and unlock the full potential of your workforce.

Emily Rogers is an award winning Transition and Leadership coach. Having lived abroad for over 20 years, her family has spent 12 years moving around Asia, relocating to Auckland, New Zealand at the end of 2019. Both her daughters were born in India, and raising a family in a foreign context has literally transformed their lives.

Emily has experienced first hand what it feels like to move your family and settle into a new country. Dealing with the variety of challenges that living abroad presents, she has developed systems and processes that allow her to settle her family faster and easier. She now uses these systems and processes to support her clients.

With The Leap To Lead, Emily combines her personal experience and professional career in Human Resources to provide support for assignee partners. Working with Emily is your opportunity to provide the care and support that your assignee and their family needs. Whether it's their first move, fifth move or repatriating, you can prevent the potential failure of their assignment.