Fashion disasters while traveling, lesson number two
Number two is a lesson from an expert who should know better from the countless times I helped men and women pack for business and pleasure. When it came to packing for myself, my own advice took a trip to forgotten land! Bringing us to lesson two- remember the do’s and don’ts of packing.
Don’ts
Don’t pack with the idea that you will be attending similar events during the entire trip
Don’t pack for one-season weather
Don’t pack a wardrobe you have not tried on
Do’s
Do pack for multiple different events, whether they include hiking, dining at a five-star restaurant or eating at seaside café
Do pack for different temperatures, from the very cold, to the very warm and for precipitation, rain and possibly snow
Do pack only things you have recently tried on to ensure they fit
Do pack outfits and multiple colors that coordinate with each other
Do these things and you will not be traveling fashion disaster!
Recently, I was traveling on a combination of work and vacation time. Several parts of the trip went well. The travel itself was easy and many resources were available to help navigate between work and pleasure. However, when the weather did not cooperate it became challenging leading to lesson number one.
Recently I had a program that could have gone a lot smoother. Though some of what happened was out of my control, following is what I learned from the experience in the form of dos and don’ts:
It is easy to get caught up in issues not related to team objectives. Often, in teams, we get caught up in differences of opinions between members. People then begin to separate because folks are taking sides. As the leader, you must stay out of the drama and let the parties involved resolve their differences. It is natural for team members to expect you to solve the problem, instead, insist they resolve it themselves. They may or may not come to a resolution but if they don’t, they may just agree to disagree which is fine.
Many companies go through changes which may mean laid off co-workers or staff with changed assignments which can leave long-term team members anxious. The best thing to do is to wish them well. Let them know how much you have enjoyed working together and if you are close to the person, give contact permission. Always maintain a positive dialog. Someday, it could be you who is affected by company changes.
It can be challenging when you are on the phone with someone who struggle to get to the point. It is important to let the person finish before you ask any questions. However, if you sense the person is rambling, give them at least a minute and a half to finish or when there is a pause, step in with a specific question. Take notes when they are talking and really listen. Ask a question that will hopefully steer the conversation toward the point. It is ultimately up to you to help ramblers be more succinct by using their words to ask specific questions.
The number one lesson I learned from my mother is to always do more than you are asked and offer to handle things you prefer not doing. My mom came to this country only speaking Cantonese and she was shy. When my mom needed to work for financial reasons after raising five girls, she did. Mom ended up being the number one producer in her factory line. To this day, when situations are moving faster than expected, I remember my mom always rising to the occasion to do what was necessary to make a assignment work. Thanks to my mom, I discovered that nothing is impossible!
When you avoid the elephant in the room, it consumes the air, leaving no room to breathe. Always begin the conversation when everyone feels safe. Obtain the permission of the others to listen to what you have to say. Give them the option to ask questions after you have finished speaking. Never be hostile or confrontational. Listen when they are finished. Thank them for sharing, then ask questions to ensure clarity.
