Stay Flexible

I’ve just returned from Russia with a new addition to my management toolbox – a plastic drinking straw with a flexible section near one end. Anyone involved with international business should carry one of these straws in their briefcase. It serves as an excellent reminder of a personal attitude that is essential for international business—stay flexible.

Stay flexible: you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities you never realized might exist.

Stay flexible: when things are moving slowly use the extra time to build personal relationships. Take the time to be interested in people, not for what you can get from them, but for who they are.

Stay flexible: those with whom you are working may have significantly different priorities. Be open to alternative solutions to problems and obstacles.

Stay flexible: there will be problems. Things will not go as planned. Planes will be delayed. Connections missed. Supplies lost. And materials delivered late. Be willing and prepared to adjust how you do things so as to accommodate the unexpected.

Stay flexible...