你是否应该到国外工作?

If there were any doubters before, the Great Recession has proven that the economy is global with one interdependent labor pool. As a result, the job of a leader has never been more complex, and international expertise is now a prerequisite for most chief executive officer appointments today.

Yet, the dearth of executives who possess a global mindset and deep understanding of business cultures world-wide poses a critical challenge for companies looking for people to help them succeed in a tough economic landscape.

Seeking an overseas assignment as a way to achieve your long-term career aspirations can be a wise move if you are realistic and clear about the specific contributions you can make to the organization's foreign operations. On the other hand, it might not be prudent to leave home if you can better contribute by staying put.

Before you look for an overseas position, know your abilities and limitations and be honest about your motivations for wanting to leave. If you are looking at positions abroad as a short-term solution to the lack of possibilities at home, you may struggle to make yourself relevant and will face considerable competition from local talent.

Besides, moving abroad isn't the only way to lay the groundwork for global experience. While at home, you can build relationships with colleagues overseas to understand their needs and help lead projects that impact other territories.

This can hone your skills in working globally and help you build a case for being posted abroad. Indeed, in many cases, you will need to do this kind of cross-border work to evaluate whether you have the leadership qualities required for top roles in diverse and uncertain environments where cultural savvy, curiosity and a rigorous work ethic are required.

When assessing your skill-set, look at where the demand is. The fast-growing 'BRIC' economies -- which include Brazil, Russia, India and China -- are expected to account for a larger share of the world's output as the recession ends, and the Asia-Pacific region still holds promise, with China, Hong Kong and Singapore remaining the top picks for expatriates.

Realize also that in response to the financial crisis, a number of organizations have downgraded their expatriate packages for all but the most senior hires.

For example, in many cases organizations now share responsibility for housing and schooling costs with executives. While these and other items such as annual leave can be negotiated, make sure that your base salary and bonus reflect industry norms.

Other considerations include the age of your children and parents, how well you will be able to keep contact with your professional network at home and the job security of your role overseas.

If you have accepted a position overseas, you should be able to show you have made a measurable impact within two to three years, or the assignment won't be the resume builder you want it to be. To tip the balance in your favor:

-- Learn about the culture or ask for cultural immersion coaching to understand the country in which you will be based.

-- Evaluate your company's global, regional and local strategies and ensure that you are empowered to manage expectations about what it will take to meet the company's goals.

-- Research the country's social life to ensure that your family will be able to adapt to the new country.

-- Have an agreement with your company about how this assignment will further your career and set the terms of your repatriation when the assignment ends.

-- Formulate a succession plan and ways to develop leaders who will allow your firm to eventually localize its management team.

Once you are on the ground, be open to the idea of staying longer than the initial contract term. While the recommended minimum period to stay abroad is two years, over time you may find that your personal development, professional impact and quality of life are substantially higher away from home.

But, if you are positive that you intend to return home, it is important to do so within five years to avoid losing touch with the business environment at home.

Review that plan if additional international assignments or extensions present themselves along the way.

Keep abreast of developments in your home country and find ways to remain connected to your professional network, possibly through industry bodies, charitable associations or the Web.

The dynamic nature of global business requires equally dynamic leadership, not only to guide organizations out of the recession but also to propel them toward a sustainable level of peak performance.

Contributing to the next wave of prosperity by applying your skills in new markets can be more than worth the risk and ultimately will position you for elite management roles and an enriching lifestyle where both your purse and perspectives expand.