Connecting the World: Business Nomads
They are the great connectors. Before radio, before TV, before the internet. Even before the mail service. . . Nomads have been connecting the world.
Nomads don’t sit still; don’t just try and do business in their own back yards. From time immemorial there have been traders, sales people, purveyors and conveyors of goods and services who give up comforts of home and strike out on the road.
You either are one or you know one. Now we are called “Road Warriors,” but there have been many names over the centuries. You sit next to us in airports, or on the bus or train. We’re on the highways alongside you. We aren’t going to that exotic locale to see the sights, but we may be going to sell those sights. Or sell something that makes those sights easier to visit or remember.
Road Warriors, from sales people to speakers; from airline employees to semi-truck drivers, are ultimately there to serve you.
I sat among my fellow nomads at the airport in Pittsburgh two nights ago. We were all traveling on September 11 – throwing caution to the winds. I had another delay and wandered over to the grill for dinner. We’re so comfortable in that arena. No one was shy. We all talked as though we’d known each other or run into each other somewhere.
Nomads from different tribes going in different directions, resting for a spell at a watering hole. A little road-weary, but comfortable nonetheless. We start comparing notes: “Oh, this is nothing. My flight last week in Milan was delayed 8 hours.” “I’ve slept on the floor in the terminal while the carpet cleaners worked around me.” No one is impressed with the Milan part, only the 8 hour delay part.
And then the calls home. Reminders of the human side of each of us. “Hi sweetie. What did the teacher say about your project? She did? Oh that’s wonderful! What? You’re coloring a picture of an airplane for daddy. I can’t wait to see it.” “Hey honey, we’re delayed again. Yeah, go ahead and start dinner without me. Hopefully I’ll be there in time for bedtime stories.” “Hi. Did the insurance lady call? Oh good. I’ll get that to her tomorrow.”
I listened to snippets of life around me. It’s tough being in transit 17 hours out of 36. I’ve probably aged a few years because of it. At the same time, it’s good to be a part of the web that connects the members of this planet with each other. It’s good to walk into rooms thousands of miles from home base and say things that may change a person’s life forever. It’s good to be a part of the world community.
I’m tired. But it’s a good tired.
take care,
Beth
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Beth Terry, Professional Speaker and Road Warrior, has been training hundreds of thousands of people in 6 countries for more than two decades. Her programs cover life’s soft skills: Change, Stress, Living Up to Your Potential, and Managing people for Success. She has published two books and is working on two more.
© 2007 Beth Terry Seminars, Inc.
