I FLY, THEREFORE I AM
Our Road Warrior finalists say travel has expanded their horizons
and deepened their understanding. Here, they share their thoughts
on globetrotting's personal side effects.
Finalists or philosophers? Our top-shelf entrants must think
carefully at 26,000 feet, because they had plenty to say about the
traveling lifestyle. To hear them tell it,
business travel is much
more than client dinners and dealmaking. It's an explorers'
expedition, an exercise in personal growth, a creativity lesson,
even an inspiration for world peace.
"To stop and think about the travel opportunities that exist at
this time in history is awe-inspiring. Even today, and after more
than a million miles in the air, on a transcon flight I will take a
window seat, run classical music in my CD headphones, and watch as
this incredible country goes by below."
Rick Lesser,
Redondo Beach, California
"Far and away, the most rewarding thing about being on the road is
being able to create and maintain friendships with people from all
over the world. The Road Warrior lifestyle has allowed me to
strengthen my relationships with friends, family, and co-workers in
other states and countries by actually being able to visit them in
person, as opposed to sending an email or making a phone call. … My
experience on the road has been tremendously rewarding and has been
the catalyst to forming many life-long friendships."
Brandon Sanchez,
Dallas, Texas
"If today's Road Warriors think about it, they will realize they
still live in the age of discovery. They aren't discovering the
height of the
Andes or the temperature of the
Amazon, but how their
particular enterprises can do business in environments where the
political, economic, social, and legal environments are uniquely
different. I will take that type of discovery over endless
sightseeing any day."