2,000,000,and Still Counting

Just crossed the 2,000,000 mile mark in air miles traveled.  Over a 20-year career, that equates to an average of 100,000 miles logged per year.  Of course that has meant many early morning flights, too many missed dinners at home and a tremendous amount of wear and tear on my body.  But it has also meant the opportunity to meet more terrific people than I could count, to experience the cultures of places like India, Iceland, Kenya, UAE, 48 of the 50 US states, most countries in Europe, Russia, Tanzania and others.  To see the beautiful plains of sub-saharan Africa, the luscious peaks of the Himalayas, the surreal volcanic terrain, glaciers and brilliant blue lagoons of Iceland and the rugged coastline of Nova Scotia.

But even more than all of those things, it has made me a better leader - with a deeper appreciation of the value of differences, the richness of life, the indomitable nature of the human spirit and the power of human connection.  It has made me a stronger person - confident in my stamina and energy and ability to endure extended days, multiple time zone changes, long flights, and longer bouts of intestinal distress.   It has made me a better listener as you have to listen harder to reach understanding when voices and accents don't sound like yours.  It has made me more patient and resilient in facing the inevitable vagaries of travel delays, last minute itinerary changes and stymied plans.  It has taught me how to laugh at myself during the crazy things that happen when you step into taxis and Ubers 20 times a month and check into hotel rooms 30 times a year.

So while I appreciate and certainly benefit from the efficiency offered by all the tools we have at our disposal today to have video meetings on our phones, hold low cost conference calls and communicate via email, text and chat; I have no plans to get off the road.  There is simply no replacement for looking your team members in the eye and hearing from them directly their ideas, hopes and dreams; from sitting down with a prospect to understand their fears, concerns and ambitions; from meeting a customer to hear their passionate (hopefully!) and frank feedback.  Besides I have those last two states to visit - looking forward to seeing Wyoming and Alaska!

So at 2,000,000 miles, I am just getting started!