SUCCEED WITH STYLE: 10 Tips to Handling Travel Stress

SUCCEED WITH STYLE: 10 Tips to Handling Travel Stress

Have you ever lost your composure while traveling or witnessed another professional having a melt down? Traveling for business can be grueling but those professionals who have presence have mastered the art of being a graceful. They know how to manage through the inevitable difficulties remaining calm and composed and complaining only when they know it will lead to a positive result. Your behavior while traveling speaks volumes about you and is an indicator of how you handle other stressful circumstances including business conflicts. You want to ensure you are a positive role model for your colleagues and you never know whom you may meet on the plane.

Here are some tips to keep you on track.

1. Dress appropriately. Just because you’ll be sitting on a plane for several hours doesn’t mean you should don your yoga pants and hoody or sloppy jeans. You’re a business professional and should look like one; polished and prepared.

2. Mind your manners. You attract more bees with honey than vinegar. Your crew is there to make your flight safe and comfortable. They are not your personal wait staff. Treat them the way you would want to be treated; with respect and kindness.

3. Maintain composure even under duress. Delays are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable. Yelling at airline employees won’t solve your problem. Grace under pressure is a true sign of professional presence. Remember you are a brand ambassador for your company.

4. Carry your business cards and make sure they are easily accessible. Many fruitful business relationships have been forged during a long flight.

5. Bring healthy snacks that are easy to eat and do not smell and skip the alcohol. There is nothing worse than sitting next to someone eating tuna or onions. Eating poorly and drinking saps your energy and dehydrates your body. You want to look and feel your absolute best when meeting with your clients.

6. Acknowledge your seatmates. Tuning your seatmate out as soon as sit down is rude. Exchanging brief pleasantries creates a comfortable environment.

7. Be helpful to other passengers. Assist an elderly person with her luggage or mother traveling alone with children. They will appreciate your help. I know I have!

8. Carry quality, durable luggage. Keep your tote or computer looking neat and clean. Nothing says slopping like an overstuffed or worn out bag.

9. Allow the person stuck in middle seat both arm rests. They are uncomfortable enough without having a place to rest their arms.

10. Thank the crew upon leaving the aircraft. They are tired and have worked a long day too. Appreciation speaks volumes.
 

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.