Should I relocate to manage to sinking ship?

4 comments

1. This is a copy of your post for archive/search purposes.

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   **Should I relocate to manage to sinking ship?**

   Should I relocate to manage a sinking ship?

   I work in a MNC and there is an upcoming opportunity for me to move to its Japan branch for a leadership role.
   As part of succession planning, I was given the opportunity to spend a couple of months in the Japan office to shadow the current manager and experience working with the team. From what I observed so far, the team’s a sinking ship (opposing personalities, lack of camaraderie and respect for each other). Unfortunately, the past managers were all bad fits and this contributed to the team’s frustration as well. For example, past managers were parachuted into the role without the necessary experience and operational knowledge. To makes things worse, these managers work in a ‘westernized’ manner, disregarding the sensitivities of working in a Japanese team.

   The latest news is that the existing manager will be leaving by end of this year and I will be very welcomed to apply for this position. I have ongoing discussions with my management and they truly believe that I will be an excellent fit for this role. Although I have no line management experience, I am very experienced in the area of work and I actively mentor other team members. Furthermore, I speak the language and understand the culture.

   I have been struggling with decision making because it is undeniably a good opportunity for progression. But I cannot shake the feeling that this may be too tall of an order. I have to add that I am very happy in my current role. I have an awesome team and share a good relationship with my boss. It hurts and scares me to imagine leaving this behind to rebuild my own team.

   The opportunity is good but is it necessary to put myself in the position to save a sinking ship?

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2. This sounds like bad news. Or it could be good.

   What type of company is it, and will the commensurate raise and benefits be worth the stress?

   Either way, is there a senior, and trustable member of the local team that can be exploited as a liaison?

   One of the big things you’ll probably encounter, is that the local folks will probably have the compulsive need to hide things from global HQ, and by extension yourself. Not necessarily for nefarious reasons, either. You’ll need to figure out how to overcome that. Can you drink?

3. I mean this in the most positive way, but it feels like something only you can make the decision on.

   *Usually* these posts are full of people who have **no fucking idea** what they’re getting themselves in to, but you very much on the other hand have not only the career experience, but a super strong handle on the cultural and language capabilities and nuance, time on the ground in Japan etc etc etc

   It really isn’t about moving to Japan, it’s whether you want to take on this challenge from a career perspective. And that seems to be the lens you’re viewing it through, which is great so…seems like you need to ask if it’s what you want from that perspective, and that’s your ultimately your call.

   I work for a MNC too, and one of the benefits there Is if I ever decide I didn’t want to be in Japan in the future, the move elsewhere is fairly painless. You’re probably in the same boat. What’s to lose if you give this a shot and either it turns out to be too tall an order or just not what you’re looking for? Are there any downside that aren’t somewhat surmountable? You’d be coming from a leadership position and thus even more attractive for positions elsewhere. I don’t foresee much at risk beyond mild inconvenience and a bit of time spent transitioning if things didn’t work out.

4. I think you need to see what are the risk career wise if you can’t save the “sinking ship” and what benefit you will get if you succeed.

   If you are not 100% confident, you might also want to lay down a plan of action with your superiors. Present it as a way to give them information on how things are going, but in reality use these meeting to get their feedbacks and point of view. If you trust one of them enough (mentor, etc) you can be more upfront with that person

   Since you mentioned you mentor others, it would be great to also have someone mentor you if you feel you lack some experience. So it really comes down to having the higher-ups support you too

   Since you speak the language and know the culture you already have some good cards to deal with, it’s mostly linked to yourself and what you can expect