The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling - A Saturday well-spent

I had the exquisite and utter privilege of attending hugely inspiring workshop titled “The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling” over the weekend. I found the workshop through a link in a WeAreTheCity bulletin and was intrigued by the title, given I’m interested in both topics (In brief, I’ve listened to a few talks on vulnerability, including one organised by The School of Life in 2012, and am also signed up to go to a talk by on storytelling next month).

Then I read the description. As it turned out, the workshop was going to be based on Dr. Brené Brown’s research and I thought, “I am so there!” 

This was the same speaker whose talk I so very enjoyed in 2012, and to whom I said (when it came to my turn to get my book signed) that, at the time, I'd attempted a career change which didn't quite work out and felt silly for doing so, and she responded something along the lines that doing something scary wasn't something to be ashamed of, but to be celebrated. 

Goal for 2018

If you asked me which goal I would love to achieve, no matter how unattainable, I would tell you that I would love to find a way to set free the “me” that I am with my close friends, and have that version of me come out in all situations and settings. 

It’s been commented on that I light up when I am around my close friends, and that’s absolutely true. I’ve noticed it myself. I am so much happier and care-free when I’m with them, and I don’t hold any part of myself back. Even a former manager has commented on that before, saying that if I could just capture the person that I am when I’m comfortable and be it in all situations, then I would just smash it, regardless of the situation I were facing.

So why do I feel that much safer around my old friends?

This isn't an easy question for me to analyse; my old friends don't see the other side of me, while my newer friends don't see the brightest possible version of me, so neither of them would be of much help in terms of telling me what it is that's different.

Nevertheless, it's something that I've decided I really need to work on this year. Even an inch of progress on this undoubtedly long journey would be enough, just as long as I start. 

Under new management

There have been a lot of departures in my company over the last few months, and the one I am most sad about is the departure of my regional manager. I said goodbye to him yesterday.

He told me that he very much enjoyed working with me (most people do, fortunately), and that "with me on a project, I have no doubt that you will find a way to make it happen."

Very nice words indeed, especially when I don't always see myself in that way.

I'd worked with him since I joined the team. In fact, when he interviewed me for the role, I found him so engaging and supportive, to the point that I could tell he was the kind of person I'd like to work for. It's not often that you walk away from an interview feeling like that. I don't know his replacement, but I sure hope he's as supportive and kind.

Beau Lotto's Vision - Neuroscience and Creativity

My company has done a lot in the past year or so to foster people whom they perceive to have leadership potential. It really helps to have someone who doesn’t come from a pure HR background administering this as well, as the energy and ideas they bring to such a programme have been truly refreshing. One of the benefits of this programme that I have been able to enjoy is my company’s membership of the London Business Forum which allows us to attend talks by renowned speakers, and not just in the traditional business sense.

One such talk was the talk by Beau Lotto, perhaps best known from his appearances as a TED speaker, on Vision held at the beautiful BAFTA space in Piccadilly. Beau is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on human perception, and the purpose of the talk was meant to show us how and what to change in order to be more creative.

How to make infographics – a workshop by Delayed Gratification

“What’s an infographic?” my colleagues asked me last Thursday as I was packing up to leave. At the time, it wasn’t a question I knew how to answer without resorting to a Google image search, but, now, having attended a workshop on how to make them taught by none other than the masters of infographics themselves, Delayed Gratification.

First off, I should stress that the workshop ticket was a gift from my husband, and wasn’t something I would normally have gone to.

I’d initially thought this wouldn’t have any relevance for me in terms of what I do at work or even on a personal level. I’m not a designer by any stretch of the imagination, and I can’t draw for nuts. But that, intriguingly enough, wasn’t what this workshop was about.