Wander and Wonder the World: Unlocking Value for Business Leaders

Not all leaders who wander are lost.

[Listen to the recording of this article. Note the challenge in differentiating the pronunciation of wander and wonder😅]

There is much of the world to explore. Even as a full-time traveller, it’s hard to experience everywhere. It really is a wonderful world with 195 countries to visit. Cultures are often defined by a combination of language, traditions, customs, and social norms. Estimates suggest there are around 6,000 to 7,000 languages spoken globally, each potentially representing a distinct cultural group influenced by historical, geographical, and social factors.

Reflecting on the news headlines and dominant narrative where I live, much of the world exists beyond the typical leader’s worldview. There’s risk in sticking with the status quo and not wandering and wondering further afield.

Choose Your Own Adventure

It is mid-winter in Australia, where I am currently located. This is the time of year when many Australians travel to the northern hemisphere to enjoy summer months, often in Europe or the Americas.

However, many choose not to travel. This might be due to professional or personal commitments, a preference to avoid producing carbon emissions, or financial reasons.

There’s a certain magic that comes from a change of environment. Whether it’s being awakened by the sights, sounds, and smells of a vibrant culture far away from a relatively sleepy hometown, or finding inspiration in natural beauty, the warmth of people from a new culture, or experiencing rich history in foreign lands.

Wherever you are physically, I believe it is possible to embrace an exploratory pathway of wonderlust, wander, and wonder, and strive to create a more wonderful world. Doing so can provide important perspectives that feed ambitious global goals.

Here’s how:

Wonderlust

Wonderlust for a business leader means having a deep and insatiable curiosity about the world. It’s the drive to explore new ideas, cultures, markets, and innovations beyond the immediate environment. This quality pushes leaders to continuously seek new opportunities and perspectives, fostering a global mindset and openness to diverse experiences.

Albert Einstein once said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Acting upon this curiosity can lead to transformative insights and business opportunities.

Wander

Wander in a business context signifies the willingness to deviate from the conventional path, embracing exploration and discovery. It involves an openness to experimentation and a tolerance for uncertainty. Leaders who wander are not afraid to venture into uncharted territories, whether it’s entering new markets, adopting unconventional strategies, or pioneering innovative business models.

J.R.R. Tolkien famously stated, “Not all those who wander are lost.” This approach can uncover hidden opportunities and foster innovation.

Wonder

Wonder is the ability to view challenges and opportunities with a sense of awe and curiosity. It means maintaining a childlike curiosity about the world, encouraging leaders to question assumptions, think creatively, and remain open to new possibilities. This mindset helps in identifying unique solutions and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Socrates said, “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” By asking, “I wonder if...,” leaders can unlock new pathways and solutions that might have otherwise been overlooked.

Create a More Wonderful World

Inspiration yields positive-sum outcomes when turned into action. To create a more wonderful world means leveraging business practices and leadership to make a positive impact on society and the environment. For some, it involves solving global challenges and integrating purpose-led drivers into the core business strategy, promoting sustainability, and striving for ethical practices. Business leaders with this vision aim to not only achieve financial success but also contribute to the well-being of communities and the planet, driving inclusive growth and positive change.

Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” By adopting this mindset of leaving the world better from being in a position of power, leaders can pave the way for a better, more sustainable future.

Steps for Action to Embrace a Global Mindset

We live in an interconnected world. The ability to think globally is not just an asset; it’s a necessity. For business leaders aiming to achieve next-level success, embracing a global mindset involves more than just understanding diverse markets. It’s about wandering - exploring new territories, both literally and metaphorically - and wondering, which means questioning the status quo and imagining new possibilities.

Here are steps for leaders and their teams to take action:

1. Embrace Cultural Diversity: Actively seek to understand and appreciate different cultures through deep, immersive experiences. This helps build more inclusive, effective teams sensitive to local contexts. In most cities in the world, it is possible to tap into people and cultures from around the world.

2. Question and Challenge: Constantly challenge your own assumptions and those of your organisation. Foster a culture of innovation unafraid to rethink and retool for better, more sustainable solutions. A focus on letting ideas win over hierarchy or history, by asking ‘what if’ or ‘wonder if’ questions can unlock new possibilities.

3. Seek Collaborative Opportunities: Look for partnerships that offer mutual benefits, leveraging resources, sharing risks, and multiplying rewards. Aim for win-win outcomes in the interconnected economy.

4. Learn from Everywhere: Adopt the mindset of a perpetual student. Learn from experiences in diverse settings - urban or rural, formal or informal. Each experience can provide valuable insights into new ways of leading and doing business.

5. Communicate and Connect: Foster environments where dialogue is encouraged and diverse voices are heard. Effective communication across cultural divides involves more than overcoming language barriers; it means conveying respect and openness to different viewpoints.

Inspiration Everywhere

Wherever you are, it’s possible to look up and out into the world, in your surroundings and including through the online world. Inspiration can be found from people and places far from where we live and work. Beyond just passive consumption of images, stories, or ideas, it can shift to inspiration that feeds ideas, initiatives, and business model innovations.

By embracing wonderlust, wander, and wonder, and striving to create a more wonderful world, business leaders can navigate the complexities of today’s world with curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to positive change. Whether travelling physically or exploring from your current location, the world offers endless opportunities for growth and innovation.

It’s mid-year. Where do you plan to wander in the world, in person or online, over the coming months?