Can Travel Make You A Better Leader?

Four female founders expound on the many professional benefits they have gained from globetrotting. By Humra Afroz Khan

Research, over the years, has established that travelling (and not simply sitting behind a computer screen) comes with several, scientifically-proven physical and cognitive benefits. One of the greatest? Better overall well-being, which then contributes to better productivity. The occasional vacation has also been associated with decreased risks of heart attacks and depression, and even improved brain health. It’s true: the shortest of getaways can work as a wondrous relaxant, significantly ebbing stress levels, invigorating both the mind and spirit. Here’s the secret—if done right, travelling can also act as a potent antidote to the vapidity that can sometimes fog up a professional life. The exposure that comes with exploring new lands, people, and cultures also polishes your personality—and that, subsequently, bolsters your performance. Without even realising it, you come back a changed person, a more effective leader: more open to seeing through stereotypes; readier to adapt, compromise, collaborate, and negotiate. In fact, 94 percent of business leaders in the US admit that “being well-travelled has provided them with a competitive advantage in the workplace”, according to a report by Brightspark EduTravel, a reputed Chicago-based travel agency.

Bazaar India spoke to four female, Indian professionals to understand how their travel experiences have shaped them as professionals, and if these trips-away-from-work have made them more impactful leaders...

Nupur Garg, Founder, WinPE