Will Refusing an International Assignment Derail Your Career?

Turning down an expat assignment can derail your career. Many companies expect their aspiring leaders to work abroad — it’s how their executives develop the skills to lead across cultures, learn the inner workings of a global business, and advance into the senior ranks. Those who decline may be perceived to lack ambition and drive, and they may pay a price for that. In global companies, it’s often assumed, if not explicitly stated, that the corporate ladder includes one or more rungs in non-domestic locations. It’s part of the psychological contract — the unwritten agreement between employers and employees. When people say no to relocating, companies may withhold mentoring and career-development opportunities. But the way the organization responds will often hinge on why the contract has been broken. It depends on whether employees are unwilling to go, are unclear about the terms of the psychological contract, or are unable to relocate because of personal circumstances.