| Sunday, February 04, 2007 |
| Coping with business travel burnout |
In the absence of adequate psychological and emotional support, travel by high-flying executives for long periods could burn them out.
Unlike in the case of traditional expatriates who would relocate for a number of years, these days some professionals are expected to leave home for a few days, weeks or even months.
While counsellors, recruiters and career coaches agree that these long-period travels can certainly boost a professional's résumé, the travels do take their toll.
Considering the increasingly mobile and global nature of today's work force, companies will do well to take measures to help their employees deal with the hazards and strains that go with having to traverse time zones constantly, strained personal and family relations, and having to work thousands of kilometres away from colleagues.
Michael Leiter, a psychology professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, says travel can be a major work perk. "It can really be a high point, if it is packaged right."
But, without the proper support, long travels can quickly lead to burnout.
Professor Leiter says there are three classic signs: chronic exhaustion; feeling cynical, distant and uncaring about work; and feeling ineffective.
It is likely that workers who feel exhausted have not completed their recovery cycle. Which means they have not had the chance to exercise, spend time with their children or do their crossword puzzle.
"Being away so much, you get out of your daily groove and out of personal relationships, as well as from the flow of things at the office," Leiter says. "Something fundamental like not getting enough sleep plus the change in time zones can lower your energy dimension."
There are things that companies can do to support their globe-trotting workers, according to Leiter - like structuring work schedules to make sure people recover from their trips and provide employees with energy-friendly infrastructure such as a high-quality hotel with a comfortable bed, a gymnasium and good food.
Employers will do well to communicate often with their employees on the move through e-mail, conference calls or video-conferencing. They can also cultivate an organisational culture that is inclusive, as opposed to the cut-throat, Leiter says.
Intense bouts of travelling also can have a physical impact on the people. Spending two to three hours at the hotel each night hunched over a laptop can lead to repetitive strain injury since tables and chairs in hotels are not designed for that kind of work.
Derrick Neufeld, an associate professor at the University of Western Ontario's Ivey School of Business, says people who jump between cities usually struggle to form and maintain deep relationships. "How many times have I been on a flight, sitting beside a businessperson who is very successful, but on his or her their third marriage," says Neufeld.Labels: Business |
| posted by a correspondent @ 7:19 AM |
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