Henry Higgins On Developing Local Nationals

Seven Secrets From My Fair Lady

Henry Higgins turned a common flower girl into a lady by following seven developmental secrets. These same secrets will work for overseas nationals on assignment to your company here in the United States.

#1 - Set Clear Goals

In My Fair Lady, Colonel Pickering bets Henry Higgins that he cannot train a flower girl well enough to pass as a lady in high society London. As we see in the story, this goal was achieved because it was clear. This holds true for foreign nationals as well. Make sure that before, during, and after their stay in the U.S., everyone is clear on why they are coming to the United States and what they are here to learn.

#2 - Factor In Cultural Differences

Early in the experiment, Higgins realizes that Eliza learns best when activities and lessons are put into terms to which she can relate. Often our foreign friends arrive in the states so mesmerized by the differences in cultures that they can't fully relate to their training. Always try to relate tasks back to their homeland worksite.

#3 - Set High Standards

Higgins insisted on excellence, and you should too. As a training manager in China for ARCO, I got very frustrated by trainees who promised to work hard only to arrive and complain to the instructors that the work and demands were ruining their "American Vacation." There needs to be time for fun, but learning is the top priority, and all involved need to be committed to that goal.

#4 - Give And Get Feedback

Somewhere in the middle of most developmental assignments, homesickness sets in and poor performance takes over. This may be due to fatigue, a change in diet, or even to new surroundings. When Eliza got discouraged, she visited her old neighborhood. After a short while, she realized that she had remembered it differently than it actually was. If you realize your trainee is having trouble in some aspect with their stay, give him or her feedback and help them get back into the swing of things.

#5 - Allow Room For Failure

Higgins takes Eliza to the horse races at Ascot for a trial run and learns that she has developed an understanding about how a woman should look and act in public. What he did not anticipate was how excited she would become about the races themselves. She blows her cover when she rudely cheers on her favorite horse runs in a close race. If your assignee is facing a big test, presentation, or other career "make or break" opportunity, allow enough time for practice and for walking through the scenario to make sure that it all make sense.

#6 - Involve Others At Critical Stages

When Henry Higgins hits a critical stage with Eliza he calls on both Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pearce to coach and counsel his pupil. He realized that sometimes two or even three voices can be better than one, especially when you are at a critical stage in the training. Use this same technique for your developmental assignees. Utilize people in your organization that are well respected, and involve them at critical stages. You'll be amazed at the results.

#7 - Prepare Carefully For Re-entry

The hardest part about being on assignment in the United States may be going back home. Many assignees face feelings of jealousy or entitlement from their peers. Help your assignee by demonstrating ways that they have changed (hair, dress, accent, etc) and ways that they have not (basic values, affection for family, etc). Raising self-awareness of the total learning experience will make your assignees re-entry smoother and easier. This is where Higgins fails Eliza - he spent no time preparing her for what would happen after the bet was over. Fortunately he proposes marriage, she accepts and the story ends like a fairy tale. But some developmental assignments end more sadly because the ending hasn't been thought out completely.

Concluding Thought

follow these seven simple secrets for your developmental assignees and you'll be surprised at how well they do - not only while here in the States, but also after they return to their home country. If you forget the steps, just rent My Fair Lady. It's a wonderful story with lots of good songs to hum and some solid advice about grooming your developmental assignees.