After intensive preparation, initial setbacks, and newly gained insights, everything is now heading toward the decisive test—the climax of the story. This is where we find out whether the hero can apply what he has learned in practice.
In the film…
In Star Wars: Episode IV, the heroes on the Death Star use a trick: they dress up as stormtroopers. This enables them to find Princess Leia and free her. But their trick is discovered, and a fierce battle with the imperial troops begins. https://youtu.be/_aJJuNB58eA?si=ewSjSpNiqjkiqP0ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aJJuNB58eA
In the life of an expat…
For expats, this phase means putting what they have learned in theory into practice. An important deadline is approaching – perhaps a strategic negotiation, a delicate personnel decision, or a conflict within the team that is coming to a head. Now it is important to recognize cultural subtleties, to act with tact and sensitivity – and not fall back into old patterns.
The time spent so far, the support provided by the mentor, the knowledge gained from friends, and experience in dealing with “challenges” – all of this must now be incorporated into the future trial by fire. This is the only way the expat has a chance of solving the problem successfully.
On the culture shock curve, things are slowly improving, or in the conceptual model (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence), this is the first step toward conscious competence. The expat can demonstrate new behavior—but it is still exhausting and requires conscious control.
Support…
Reflection is crucial right now. A mentor or coach can help organize thoughts, examine situations from different perspectives, and transfer insights into everyday life in a targeted manner. The transfer of knowledge into action is key in this phase. And this is precisely where the greatest leverage for sustainable intercultural competence lies: not just understanding but shaping. For all of this, working with a coach or consultant can be the decisive factor for success.
