As we were getting ready to wrap up our global executive
conference in the late morning in the US, I found myself anticipating my return
to the hot breezes and the bustle of home.
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| It takes a special mindset to make it in the Middle East |
The Middle East is a great
place, alive with culture, lucrative opportunities and professional and
personal relationships that will last a lifetime. Yet, it takes a special
mindset to work and live here. I would not trade the experiences I’ve had here
for anything. It is not a lifestyle for everyone.
I look hard at the following five aspects of working in the
region when reviewing candidates with my team for placement on engineering
projects. If a candidate doesn’t match up well with most or all of these points,
although not a scientifically proven fact, it could be a pretty good indicator
they will struggle to make it here.
1. Motivations for
seeking work in the Middle East
Obviously, the comparatively lucrative nature of working here is a big draw. I often find it is the main draw for many candidates. If
it’s just about money, that’s fine. Just know you’ll have to match up with the
rest of the list and make sometimes life-altering concessions to your social
mindset to be successful. I have seen
many an engineer fill his or her pockets and bank account to the point where
retirement 10 years early is possible, although, people who work here
successfully are often the type that cannot stay still for long and are looking
for the next challenge. Some are attracted by the opportunity to get in on the
ground floor of transforming the landscape of a country from the ground up or
developing innovative ways to increase untapped reserves. Point being, you must
have a strong motivation for coming here to work other than simply needing
work.
2. Know your place
One of the largest barriers to success here is not being
able to adapt your sense of self to that of a guest in a country. You are here
to help contribute to building the country but you are not a citizen, nor do you
have the rights of a citizen. If you are
a boisterous leader in full command on projects elsewhere, you will quickly
learn that it doesn’t play well in the streets of Baghdad,
Dubai or Doha.
Officials and organisational leadership here are very respectful of you and
your knowledge. You would not be working here if you did not possess the talent
to get the job done. In return, they expect the same kind of respect be
extended to them. Life can be very difficult and your bags may be packed for
you should you forget your place as a guest and if you have a need to always be
in control.
3. It’s hot
I am not a meteorologist. The temperature at this time of
year hovers between 40 and 45 ⁰C.
The coastal cities like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha have
prevailing winds that sometimes make all the difference, but make no mistake;
your body must be able to handle the heat in the summer months. I have seen
many heat-related illnesses on jobs here. It is a definite consideration. While
it’s not generally humid, on days that it is, it can be stifling. Anyone
considering working here needs to be prepared for just how intense the heat can
be.
4. Bureaucracy is
rampant
For one reason or another, be it the chain of command within
domestic organisational structures or the respect and power a particular
lineage commands; there are many situations in which the same job or function
is lead or handled by more than one person or department. In other words, there are many
people in charge of the same thing, and often times, one makes a decision or a
ruling that the others are unaware of until it becomes an issue. Streets often
have several names. Registering a vehicle can take months. Projects can get
stymied in a myriad of redundant paperwork. In the end, bureaucracy, in the
modern sense, can sometimes hamper progress and one must be prepared to take on
some red tape, have some patience and remind yourself that these modern cities
didn’t build themselves and that your project will be built too.
5. Cultural norms
Plain and simple; what is acceptable in one country or culture may not
be acceptable in another. This goes both ways in the Middle East. You may see a
person being treated in a way that is considered unacceptable in your country
but is culturally and religiously acceptable here. You may feel compelled to
step in, however, remember the part about knowing your place? You are going to
have to learn to ignore situations that you would normally act on at home and
sometimes, it can be difficult. Stepping
in is not advisable.
While many women in the engineering industry do work and do
very well here; their position, as with men, determines the amount of respect
they have on a project. They may sometimes be asked to adhere to certain dress
codes in public.
The same goes for the expatriate worker. What is perfectly
acceptable in your country may be outlawed here. In some countries smoking and
drinking is reviled and illegal. Should your significant other be with you on
your journey, in some countries, public displays of affection are shunned or
illegal. Many offenses can and will be punished as crimes against the state and
result in serious consequences. You will need to be certain that they too are
ready for the challenge that lies ahead and are able to adapt and adhere to the
guest mindset.
As I reflect on what we’ve accomplished in the region as a
company and the people we’ve matched with jobs here, I have found that the
candidates that can deal with these and other aspects of working, living and
playing in the region are the best candidates to present to my customers.
