To travel, or not to travel? That is the question.

If there is one pandemic-related change that road warriors reminisce or grimace about more so than anything else it’s the lack of travel. For many of us, our identities, relationships, and answers are where the rubber meets the road. The initial shock and awe of not traveling forced us to open our appetites for new ways of working and actually accelerated how we deliver value to our clients.

As we see positive signs that the world will open again, we need to look at travel through the unique needs of our business and not take it for granted. As I reflect on the trips I have made, I question the importance of many of them. So, to help process the question of when to travel or not to travel, consider these three factors:

Purpose:?Do I have a clear agenda, and am I on a mission?

Taking up space at a client's site, traveling for hours for a 30 min check-in, or looking to escape your home base is not a reason for traveling. When we put our talent's health, wellness, and sanity first, we need to scrutinize old ways of working. Traveling because you are on a mission is not only more productive as well as rewarding. So ask yourself: what am I or my team getting accomplished? Is there a clear agenda and goals for making the trek? If the answer is sort of, well, move one space ahead to productivity.

Productivity:?Will I be more efficient and collaborative in the real world?

With new digital tools pouring into the market, evolved collaborative working across locations, and the acceleration in how fast we get together, it is hard to say we aren't better virtually. Yet, far too often, we spend more time setting up get-togethers and traveling than actually working. But building bonds, sharing energy and excitement, and powering through ideation until the wee hours doesn't happen as well virtually. So, focus on the human elements of productivity. Building teams and winning together feels best in the real world.

Quality:?Will it elevate my relationships, the health of the team and/or deliverables?

The experience of you is as important as what we do, and nowhere is that more impactful than face to face. A firm handshake (followed by Purell) and shared eye contact when presenting is the fabric to being top of mind when an opportunity arises. People work with people they like, which happens faster and more deeply when they are in the same room. For me, I had an awakening when I first met with my team. Awkwardness was immediately followed by a smile of acknowledgment that something was missing in how we worked and made me appreciate that people need more than digital.

The great resignation is real. People are assessing what they value and the value of their time. Businesses need to factor in the health and happiness of their teams before asking people to live on the road. Recognize your talent is in the driver's seat.

To travel or not to travel? Well, is it out of sight, out of mind? Or is it absence that makes the heart grow fonder? Having a decision tree for your business will provide transparency and remove subjectivity when assessing if it’s worth sending your team on the road.

How will you decide to travel given the new normal?