A way to slow down
Take a walk with an elderly person, and you begin to slow down. Your pace of walking, thinking, and talking becomes more measured. Their company comes with a gift of presence. You notice the little things around you: longer pauses, silent companionship. Initially, it unsettles you. But gradually, you come to realize – it is exactly what you need for the moment.
“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.” — Pico Iyer
Leadership listening
As a leader, listen well. Listen as if your very life depends on what your people are sharing.
They may not always be right, logical, or solution-oriented. Amid your busy schedule, they might approach you carrying a burden of issues – some familiar, some repetitive. Still make the effort to listen. Through attentive listening, you create a space where people can trust you with their problems without fear of judgment. This is the essence of leadership.
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek
To be a traveler
Unload all memories of previous journeys.
Carry with you only the hope of meeting kind and lovely people.
Drop all baggage of assumptions about the place, the people, the weather, and the culture.
Craft an agenda of who you want to be, not where you want to be.
Travel has the power to open our minds and shift our perspectives, if we allow ourselves to be shaped by the experience.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” — Marcel Proust