I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you that travel is good for you. Mark Twain said it. J.P. Morgan said it. Even Dalai Lama said it. Travel makes you a more well-rounded and interesting person – which will certainly serve you well holding up your end of conversation at a cocktail party, but did you know it can help you at work, too? I’ve identified nine traits learned from travel that will impress your boss.

1. Organization – When you travel, you have to keep up with your travel documents and personal electronics, know where you’re supposed to be and when. Are you the traveler who has boarding pass at the ready, navigates security smoothly and always has a pen handy? Organizational skills honed in travel carry over to your work in the form of orderly files, timely expense reports, and keeping up with projects.
2. Cultural Appreciation – Travel makes you a better global citizen. When you personally engage with people who do things differently than your own lifestyle, be it in food, meeting etiquette or dress code, you’re more likely to be tolerant of those differences. Translating that same acceptance and respect to co-workers and customers makes you more understanding of differences in all dimensions.
3. Communication Skills – If you’ve ever been in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you quickly realize the value of being able to communicate. Learning to relate in those challenging circumstances helps your ability to succinctly convey information and meaningfully connect with coworkers and customers at work.
4. Punctuality – That plane, train or bus isn’t going to wait for one person, so you have to be on time. Lesson learned. Bosses and clients appreciate and deserve your promptness, too. Lesson applied.
5. Time Management – Beyond simply getting somewhere on time, travelers have to decide which sights they want to see and what they can do in a limited amount of time. On the job, that ability to prioritize allows you to manage your work flow, plan meeting agendas and adhere to project deadlines.
6. Flexiblity – It’s a fact of travel that occasionally the best laid plans go awry. Travelers often have to adapt to changing circumstances. If you can’t get reservations at a preferred restaurant, pick another; if the direct route is impassable, find a detour. The ability to think on your feet, work around the glitch and move on is equally important in business. Agility keeps businesses competitive.
7. Problem Solving – Sometimes the issue isn’t a mere change of plans but a more serious crisis that needs immediate attention – a stolen passport, an injury while traveling or a weather disaster. Experienced travelers learn not to panic and take initiative to find a solution. In the workplace, problem solvers look for ways to improve things before a crisis occurs, which often results in efficiencies that make the boss happy.
8. Confidence – Without a doubt, travel is a confidence builder. It engenders self-reliance, a sense of accomplishment and a sureness in your own abilities that carries over into everyday life. That poise and self-assurance helps clients and teammates trust your abilities, too.
9. Financial Management – Unless you’re Bill Gates or a Saudi prince, you’ll have a spending limit for any given trip, and you may have to make choices to stay within your allowable budget. Staying within budget at work supports your company’s fiscal health and reduces your CFO’s headaches.

I hope we agree that all those famous writers and philosophers were right about the value of travel – it IS good for you, both personally and professionally. The personal traits you acquire from your travel experiences translate into characteristics that will impress your boss and aid you professionally.

To further hone your travel skills – for business or pleasure travel – contact Covington’s knowledgeable travel advisors and plan your next trip.