NEWS


Two weeks ago I was one of the lucky ones invited to attend a Travel Weekly dinner at which


Dame Irene Hays was the guest speaker. Irene is an absolute power woman with a


back story and list of achievements that are mind-blowing. Most – if not all – in attendance were left in awe as she detailed what she has done during her time in both the public and private sectors. I think even if I had an extra go at life, I might fall short of her success. These types of events are strange in that


Miles Morgan CHAIRMAN, MILES MORGAN TRAVEL


Being your true self will always produce the best possible results


everyone’s main takeaway will be different. The rules of the event preclude me from going into detail about the discussions, but I don’t think I am breaking rules by revealing she was asked how she drove her culture and values through her organisation. This really did make me think, because I think I know her magic. My background in travel


bumps in the road. Instead of saying ‘yes’ in a meeting because it is easier, say ‘no’ if it’s something you strongly believe in. Allow your personality to shine through and don’t feel shackled to suppress it in certain situations at work.


“Companies miss out


Losing out So many large companies are full of bland individuals, who just do what they do, day in, day out. In reality, however, most of these individuals are not bland at all but instead suppress their true selves to make life easier and fit in. Companies miss out hugely on seeing what their employees can really do and achieve if they are not given the opportunity to remove the shackles. In my business, I clown


is quite rare. I have worked in corporate and now have my own business – and the two could not be more different. I found those days in corporate tough for many reasons and, interestingly, with the benefit of hindsight, I would love to have another go at it. That might sound like an odd thing to say and needs some more explaining. Ultimately, I hope I might help others by sharing the reasons.


hugely on seeing what employees can achieve if they are not given the opportunity to remove the shackles”


around frequently, am the butt of many a joke and don’t take myself too seriously. That is until it comes to looking after customers or my team, whose welfare is the number-one priority. Life can be fun at work – you can smile, laugh and joke around – but you need to adjust your game at the right


time to deliver. A fun and happy environment enables people to achieve so much more because they are happy and they are themselves. Going back to Irene and her magic, the word


Fitting in When you have a job in a large corporate machine and are a small cog in a big wheel, it is odd how you behave. I found over time I lost ‘me’ and became ‘them’. I stopped being the Miles Morgan I was in personality and style, and felt a need to conform and behave like everyone else. I simply felt the need to fit in. At the time it felt normal and the right thing to do. But in hindsight, I regret it. I now feel passionately that being you will


always produce the best possible results in both your personal and business life. Being the true ‘you’ can at times cause problems, but you will still achieve a better result despite some potential


travelweekly.co.uk


I use to describe her is ‘authentic’. She doesn’t spout corporate words and visions. She truly believes everything she says and totally believes in her vision – listening to her talking about young people and apprentices is a great example. Having known her for years, I know that Irene behaves like Irene, which makes for a powerful business. This might sound simplistic, but many people live a lie for most of their corporate lives. So, if you are young and starting out in your


travel career, here is some advice: try being the very


best version of you and you could do very well. i In the Picture, page 32


Read more columns by Miles Morgan: travelweekly.co.uk/comment


7 DECEMBER 2023 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60