In one of his profound teachings on leadership for entrepreneurs, a renowned management consultant. Peter Drucker, had said, “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged and increased constantly, or it vanishes”. The seemingly conventional idea this quote gives, leaps to life when you consider that the opportunities for learning and growth as a leader or entrepreneur are limitless. As an entrepreneur, in any field, with a problem-solving mindset your penchant for gathering new information and knowledge in whatever situation or location, even the most extrinsic ones, is an invaluable asset in building leadership capacity.
Among these great learning opportunities is during travel. Top leadership analysts assent to the point that traveling is the biggest teacher for effective leadership. Adventures create stimulating experiences that can boost leadership qualities in entrepreneurs.
While networking is perceived by most entrepreneurs today in digital terms, especially with the proliferation of networking tools like LinkedIn, Meetup, Opportunity, CoFoundersLab, and several others, there is still much that digital networking does not encompass. Obviously, the recent pandemic played a major role in revolutionizing networking processes in entrepreneurial circles, and while the pandemic curtailed traveling, entrepreneurs saved more invariably. However, the breathtaking adventures in traveling create far more professional, personal, and indeed powerful lesson points than making contacts behind a digital screen.
- Traveling equips you to cope with people
Encountering strangers is one of the inevitable factors of traveling. But sometimes you have to do more than just meet them. Certain adventures require you to work with people you’ve never come across before. Since sharing experiences with these strangers most likely sets the tone for your adventure you tend to be more collaborative.
Adventure activities in the Channel islands create immense networking opportunities, sharing strategies for business growth, enhancing communication among like-minded business-oriented personalities, and reimaging the business environment into the most relaxing of conditions.
A self-guided hike in the Channel Islands National Park means you have to get through long treks with strangers, walking with them through rough terrains and sometimes harsh weather. Sometimes you have to exercise patience and wait for the weakest members of the group.
In some ways, this teaches you to accept failure in yourself or members of your team and work towards improvement instead of destructive criticisms. By doing this you are effectively participating in teamwork with your fellow hikers, and the fact that you decide to work with the group regardless of their deficiencies is an important lesson in risk-taking.
- Traveling reinforces the practice of self-reflection
The key to successful leadership among other qualities lies in the ability to be introspective and self-reflect. Practicing self-reflection helps a leader to identify his weaknesses, strengths, and growth needs. Leadership cannot be divorced from entrepreneurship, and the practice of self-reflection is a grooming tool for an entrepreneur. So, how does an entrepreneur benefit from self-reflection through traveling?
The fact that most entrepreneurs get so invested in their businesses with little personal time is obvious. As a result, there is hardly any time to get away from the hassles of business life to enjoy leisure or self-reflect. However, traveling provides ample opportunity for self-reflection. Invariably, traveling brings exposure and exposure brings new realizations.
The more you are exposed to new things, learn new systems and practices, and meet with new people, the tendency to relate these new experiences to yourself increases. Sometimes, it is not about the experiences you have. The time you get to spend alone with your notepad whether during a flight, in a car, or while you are simply waiting for the next cab presents you the luxury of time to self-reflect, deeply explore personal areas, and ask yourself questions that inspire new perspectives. These moments have the power to shape your entrepreneurship future positively.
- Traveling teaches patience
Have you had to wait in line for longer than necessary only to meet with an opportunity you never envisaged during the extra waiting period? Traveling can do that to you. While it probably sounds absurd to associate patience with leadership skills, it is an attribute many successful entrepreneurs and decision-makers reference when explaining their strategies. If the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, could assert the importance of patience, what more validates patience as a key leadership virtue?
After planning your big trip or getaway adventure, you most likely have to infuse some patience into your system because you are pumped up for the new experiences. It works the same way when making a key business decision for a big deal or high-profile contract. The surging emotions can be blinding and even the most experienced of leaders fall into traps in the agreement. So, while you go on your trip take the waiting period as a time to grow your patience level. Infusing this virtue into your business will keep you on top of the decision-making game.
- Traveling aids adaptability
One thing is certain when you travel, you meet people you’ve never known all your life. Meeting new people implies experiencing new cultures and ways of life. For instance, a major cultural difference between the US and Japan is the reaction towards public displays of affection. While PDA is culturally overlooked in the US, the Japanese frown at it. Appreciating and adapting to the lifestyles of your hosts is a high-quality interpersonal skill you learn when you travel.
This can be very useful for entrepreneurs. Dealing with clients outside your cultural scope would sometimes require you to react in unfamiliar manners to make the best impression. Also, positioning yourself to benefit from changes occurring in the business environment is crucial to progress. This is feasible through adaptability. According to Forbes, remote working and digital transformation are some of the major change occurrences in the business environment. The uncertainties and spontaneous lifestyle experienced during trips can prepare you for the changes your business is going to face.
- Traveling instigates professional networking
This is the most conspicuous leadership benefit of traveling. Attending conferences, business seminars and meetings are avenues to meet with great people. Even if they are not in your niche, there are practical lessons you can draw from a community of business-oriented personalities. These forums stimulate your communication skills, expose you to creative discussions, and presents you with new information on customer value.
Conclusion
Staying relevant and ahead of the pack requires entrepreneurs to open their eyes to emerging learning opportunities, especially when they travel. So, don’t sweat the small stuff back in the office, and deny yourself of these travel benefits. You can delegate ample time for personal and professional development while traveling.