Are you the road warrior in the office? Do you get much more business trip than your colleges? Or always seem to be going to what your travel envy envious colleagues say ‘cool places’? If what I said describe you, you’re probably are provoking quite some envy from coworkers.
Business travel provokes envy from colleagues left behind in the office. And this episode will show you how to improve work relations by managing perceptions.
Let me ask you, when you go to the office on Monday, your colleague said:
“Hey, welcome back. How was the trip?”
What do you say?
Think twice, because that affects how people think of your work and how your manager sees your value.
Let’s face it, there will always be people who think you travel too much when they are stuck in the office. They think you’re getting way more perks than they do.
People may not necessarily see how hard you work when you are on the go. That is why, when you are back in the office, you need to manage your perception.
It’s all about managing perceptions.
So, back to that question.
The correct way:
Keep it business, keep it short.
For example:
Thanks! The trip is good, we got a lot done and accomplished… It’s just a bit tiring now and as I have a lot to catch up.
That’s it.
Travel Envy Stories:
3 Tips on How To Lose Friends And Alienate Coworkers
1. Show off your business class or hotels.
No one needs this information and it doesn’t make anyone feel better.
A friend of mine had a colleague who can’t stop talking about his Emral business class and limousine service. Even to the colleagues that traveled together with him.
He is a new hire and doesn’t understand the code of frequent business travelers yet. People just find him annoying. Do not show off your shopping spree. Even if you did shop after work, you don’t need to advertise what you acquired on a business trip.
2. Show off your shopping spree
Even though you did your shopping after work, you don’t have to advertise what you just acquired on the recent business trip in Paris. When showing off shopping spree, the only attention you might get will come from the finance department about your T&E.
3. Complain about how tiring the trip is.
Yes, I know business travel is tiring, the jet lag, the delay, etc. Yet your colleagues will most likely not relate to your problem. The more you complain, the more you’ll be seen as showing off and spoilt.
Everyone works hard and feel tired. After all, to some people, you get free a trip and all meals covered as business expenses. Fair enough.
4. What you should Do: ‘tip-off’ your colleagues in the office:
Get some gifts for your colleagues to share, such as a box of chocolates. Leave them in the kitchen and let the receptionist email everyone, that there are snacks in the kitchen from
People will come and ask where are the gifts from, and they will appreciate that you think of them. Because they benefit from your trip.
And what's your experience managing travel envy in the offices? Love to see your comments below!
If you enjoyed the videos, come to Delicate Revolt TV for more tips for travelers and doers!
Hey, I’m Tess, an entrepreneur, and owner of Delicate Revolt, where I share 1. Lessons learned by an entrepreneur; 2. How to achieve energy, efficiency, and style on business travels.
