Walk a mile in my shoes: Discovering the true scale of a distance

When we talk about distances, whether it's a kilometre or a mile, we're merely scratching the surface of what that distance entails. The number itself fails to capture the essence of the journey, the terrain, the effort required, and the varied experiences along the way. It's much like looking at life through a simplistic lens—seeing only the outline without appreciating the nuances and textures within.

I've often thought about this as my wife, Ingrid Lotze , and I embraced a nomad work lifestyle, which began almost two years ago when we handed over the keys of our home to new owners on 27 April 2022. Since then, we have journeyed to Kenya, Mauritius, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, India, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, and South Korea, each mile walked laden with its own unique set of challenges and discoveries.

For instance, consider walking a mile in Seoul, South Korea, compared to the same distance in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In Seoul, for example, our routine included a daily early morning walk with our youngest daughter to her workplace, a seemingly easy 4.5 km round trip, deceptive in its appearance on a digital map. The reality of the walk, characterised by well-maintained sidewalks and an orderly urban environment, was a stark contrast to our experiences in places like Mumbai or Delhi. Here, a mile could mean navigating on barely existent pavements, crowded with people, stalls, and haphazardly parked vehicles. Each step an exercise in adaptability and resilience, a far cry from the orderly streets of Seoul.

Similarly, in Vietnamese cities like Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the primary utility of sidewalks seemed to be scooter parking. More often than not, walking meant taking to the streets, dodging traffic rather than enjoying a leisurely stroll on the pavement. Each of these experiences taught us something about the cities and ourselves, revealing how the same 'mile' can differ wildly based on where and how it's traversed.

This insight extends beyond personal travel and into the realm of business, where the concept of a mile can metaphorically represent the challenges faced. On our business journey we've learned that treating every communication, marketing and business challenge as if it's the same 'mile' is a sure path to misunderstanding and failure. What works for one audience, in one market, on one medium, or for one problem seldom translates to another. Each business challenge, like each mile walked, demands its own set of tools, levels of resilience, and adaptability.

What can we take from this? It's essential to remain curious, to ask questions, and to delve beyond superficial measurements into the depth of experiences. Only by understanding the real conditions of each mile can we begin to appreciate the journeys of others, whether they're walking beside us on familiar streets or navigating the complexities of life halfway across the globe.

Whether you're measuring a mile in business or in your personal life, it's not just about the distance covered but the journey experienced and lived. Each step, each mile, has its own story, and these stories are what truly enrich our understanding and interactions in this interconnected world and help us to cultivate connection.

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