There’s something about traveling that changes us. (At least I know that holds very true for me!) Some of my biggest life lessons, greatest downloads, and largest leaps, have come from my travels away from home.
One of my biggest passions in life is traveling and seeing the world…experiencing new cultures, new beauty and new ways of looking at the world.
Maybe it’s navigating a city where I don’t speak the language, or perhaps it’s slowing down long enough to notice a sunset I may be too busy to see at home. Or maybe it’s simply stepping outside my routine and remembering there’s a much bigger world than the one I’ve been living in. Whatever it is, I know it nourishes my soul and allows me to continue to grow in new and unexpected ways.
Travel doesn’t just show us new places, it teaches us new perspectives. And appreciating different perspectives is exactly what great leadership requires.
The best leaders stay curious…they adapt when things don’t go as planned, they listen more than they speak, and as we always say in our “U the Leader” class, we recognize that there isn’t just one “right” answer or way to do something. Travel teaches us that lesson in real time.
Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or simply your own life, here are three lessons that travel reminds me of…and perhaps they can guide U, too:
1. Stay Curious.
Ask questions. Explore. Be willing to see things through someone else’s eyes. Curiosity is where growth begins, and the more I have travelled this world in my 53 years, the more I grow in ways I never thought possible. It’s a depth and connection to humanity unlike anything else, and the value of the experiences that come from it are immeasurable as a leader.
2. Embrace the Unexpected.
Flights get delayed. Plans change…sometimes multiple times. The same is true in leadership. Resilience isn’t about avoiding change…heck, we all know change is inevitable. And the unexpected will always happen. So it’s about learning to respond with flexibility instead of frustration. No, it’s not always easy, yet an absolutely necessary skill to practice and master to become the effective leader U can be.
3. Be Present.
Some of the best travel memories happen when we’re fully in the moment…phones down, eyes up. The same is true with people. Your greatest impact as a leader often comes from giving someone your full attention, and your heart. The places we visit eventually become memories, however the lessons they teach us can shape how we lead for years to come, and people remember how U make them feel…oftentimes for their entire lifetime.
Wherever this summer takes U, my wish for U is to come home with more than souvenirs. I hope U return with a fresh perspective, a renewed energy, an open mind and heart, and a reminder that growth often begins the moment we step outside what’s familiar.
Cheers to your summer adventures, Leaders. Explore…welcome…embrace…and lead your life and world with love, and humility…always.
With love & gratitude,
Jodi