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In my years of business travel around the world, I have had a front row seat to observe the different personalities in action.

There’s the D-wired traveler.

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Walking swiftly, they are simultaneously taking a business call, texting, checking the departure schedule, and juggling a hot cup of strong coffee with practiced skill, as only a D could do. While they wait, they are on the phone or computer making deals, solving problems, and getting things done. If there’s a flight cancellation, they are the first to identify and book an alternate.

Then there’s the I-wired traveler.

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They move fast, too, but lightly. They zip around slower traffic, quickly glancing at the departure schedule to see which gate they need to reach because they’re running short on time. They have juggled a hundred balls already, and their day is just beginning. But they are excited about going to a new place and meeting new people. And, unlike many who navigate an airport, they actually speak to fellow passengers and airport staff. While they wait, they send off a flurry of text messages, complete with emojis, to let all their friends know where they are and all the exciting things they have done along the way.

Next, we have the S-wired traveler.

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You’ll recognize them by their checklist, neatly tucked into their travel planner, along with their tickets and ID. They walk at a more leisurely pace, probably because they actually used the checklist to arrive with everything in order at least two hours before departure. This allows them to stop and enjoy a warm cup of tea and visit a gift shop to pick up a card for a friend before heading to the gate. If someone is struggling with luggage or drops something, they are the ones who stop to help. And, as they do, the fellow traveler will often end up telling them their life’s story, just because they are so friendly and approachable.

And then we have the C-wired traveler.

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They know where they are going and the most direct way to get there. They have booked a non-stop flight. They have determined ahead of time the best place to park. They know their gate number before arrival, and have planned for the most efficient check-in. Their luggage is neatly packed and stacked. They get to their gate, check for on-time arrival, and then settle in to a relatively quiet corner to work or read.

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What does this have to do with leadership?

Here’s the thing: how you travel is likely very similar to how you lead in life and business.

• You can be the swift, decisive, results-driven leader.
• You can be the people- and idea-focused leader.
• You can be the planned, organized, and helpful leader.
• Or you can be the efficient, precise, and quality-driven leader.

And here’s the other thing: all these leaders get to their destinations; they just get there in different ways.

As the saying goes, “You be you.”

You don’t have to be like someone else to lead. But you do have to be yourself, working in your best strengths, to lead well.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!