Copyright © 2018 by Prudence Howard. All rights reserved.

Many times as a government or corporate leaders, we find ourselves having to travel with people that we’ve never worked with before, and haven’t met even though we work for the same organization. Here are 5 tips to help you maneuver and have a successful trip.

1. Always Be On Time. When you all set up a meetup time be there as scheduled. The worse thing in the world is to start off being late. First impressions are everything when you are traveling with others at your same level.
2. Fellowship. Don’t hide out in your hotel room. Go to dinner with your counterparts. Get to know who they are and what they do within your organization. Learn something new about someone new. 
3. Be courteous and Open-Minded when it’s time for meals. Disclose food allergies/dislikes upfront. I know this sounds funny, but you wouldn’t believe how many people have restrictive diets or food allergies. Always go to restaurants that offer various selections of food. It makes for an enjoyable meal for all with lots of conversation.
4. Keep Conversations Light. No matter what you say, you want these people to like and respect you. DON’T have those heavy conversations about politics, even though that’s the only thing on the news. Talk about family, the topic that brings you together, and any other commonality. I find that military veterans LOVE LOVE LOVE sharing their military stories, especially when they come from different branches of service.
5. Put a Smile on Your Face. No matter the reason why you are together, be friendly. Keep in mind you are going home soon, and the odds are you’ll never see that person again. However, if you’ve been friendly during this trip, the odds are you’ll be well-received if/when your paths cross again.

Prudence Howard is a national keynote speaker, trainer, and business consultant that helps high impact leaders, organizations, and individuals to grow and reach higher levels of success by using advanced strategies that deliver optimal results. For more information on her programs and services, contact prudence@pivotalgrowthstrategies.com.