I’ve just returned from a deeply insightful trip to Ghana. Between reconnecting with the culture, pausing to think, and soaking up the sun, I also squeezed in a few meetings.

But during one of my meetings over coffee and a Club beer, I rediscovered a truth we’re forgetting in our Zoom-saturated world: proximity creates possibility and connection.

Here’s what I’m bringing home:

1️⃣ Stepping back really does clear the mind

Distance creates clarity. Stepping away from the daily machinery of work didn’t just refresh me—it fundamentally shifted my perspective. Problems that loomed large at my desk shrank to a manageable size when viewed from 5,000 miles away. Sometimes you need to step back from your context to see it truly.

2️⃣ You don’t have all the answers—and that’s a valuable lesson

I travelled with a group, and sometimes they didn’t agree with my suggestions. I learned that my perspective wasn’t the only one—and that’s okay. Others can see angles, opportunities, and blind spots you sometimes don’t see.

3️⃣ Listening is a competitive advantage

During my coffee meetings, I intentionally shifted from “here’s what I do” to “tell me about you.”

I wanted to understand their world, their challenges, and their vision. What surprised me wasn’t just how much I learned about possibilities I’d never considered. The opportunities that emerged weren’t on my agenda. They arose from genuine curiosity and the space I created for others to think aloud.

4️⃣ Curiosity opens doors; metrics never will

People love it when you take an interest in them- their name and their culture. Asking thoughtful questions about someone’s life and work reveals insights that no report or dashboard can deliver. People open up when they feel seen and heard.

5️⃣ Being physically present communicates a level of seriousness that digital can’t match

Ghana reminded me that business, at its core, remains beautifully human. We can’t automate serendipity. We can’t schedule spontaneity. And we can’t replicate, through any screen, the trust built when you’re simply present with another person.

Why this matters

Travel isn’t just movement from one country to the next. It’s a learning opportunity. It’s perspective. It’s a reset.

And sometimes, it’s the very thing that reminds you who you are, what you stand for, and the possibilities waiting for you when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Until we meet

Morton

PS:

When you’re ready, here’s how I can help you

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