What does it take to succeed as a manager at an overseas subsidiary?

Last week, I delivered a session for the Pre-Assignment Management Seminar: Kingdom of Thailand, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of managers taking up overseas assignments.

The session combined management theory with practical case studies to help participants understand what is expected of them in an overseas role, recognise common pitfalls expatriates encounter and develop a better understanding of Thailand’s culture and working environment.

We discussed the importance of moving from achieving results through individual effort to leading an organisation that can deliver results as a whole. This involves delegating effectively, building trust with local employees, making sound management decisions and bridging communication between headquarters and overseas teams.

I also shared an interview video featuring a former HR General Manager at a Japanese automotive company in Thailand. He offered an important perspective for Japanese expatriates: be confident in the knowledge and experience you bring from Japan and be prepared to share them as a mentor, while respecting local employees and established procedures. He also emphasised the importance of learning and using the local language to build stronger relationships.

The feedback from participants was very encouraging. Everyone who responded to the survey expressed satisfaction with the seminar and felt the information would be useful in their work. One participant, who had started working as a production manager in early October, specifically highlighted the practical value of the action plan.

Thank you to Rosei Jiho and everyone who took part. I hope the insights and case studies will help participants prepare for the challenges and opportunities of managing teams in Thailand.