London: Highs and Low
[rt_reading_time label="Reading Time:" postfix="minutes" postfix_singular="minute"] I came to London at the end of my visit to Munich. I hadn't originally planned on it but an opportunity to pick up a freelance assignment partly there / partly remotely from DC for the month of October came up. London was calling. Naturally, I extended my 7-week Bavarian visit another week and headed for the island.I'd visited London earlier in the year, as part of my February European tour. This trip would be different: not so much touristing, pretty much all business. After talking about nothing but going back to work in Munich at networking events, a conference and countless blind dates with ladies from the Global Digital Women network, I was ecstatic to actually be going back to work, even if just for a short time.Leaving Munich felt like leaving home on any given previous business trip. A short plane ride, a train from a suburban airport location to the city center, a hotel room check in and settling in for a four night stay. Besides the inappropriate size of my suitcase, a long line to enter the country and a tiny bed, I was right back and found and ironic comfort in the travel for business game.
London HighsCaroline, the Consultant: I was excited to return to being consultant in a large corporation. After months of soul searching and experimenting with the career I want to create, I saw this assignment as a really unique opportunity to "exercise my consultant" again, and as a bonus, in a global setting. I would spend 3 days being immersed in a transformative digital marketing initiative and be responsible for providing insights, observations, recommendations, plans and strategies to my client's marketing team members. After a few hours of meetings, I was delighted to feel my consultant turned on again: it wasn't long before I became aware I could really add value. To add value & be valued - oh how motivating that feels...An Awesome Team: On my first day, I met a fantastic and extremely welcoming client and agency team. I almost immediately realized how lucky I was to have scored such an awesome client (and to this day, I continue to rejoice about it). My new colleagues, to my delight, mostly women for a change, are smart, approachable, professional and extremely knowledgable about their complex business. They share a camaraderie I haven't witnessed in a while. And everyone has a sense of humor. I am grateful they dedicated so much time to me. I felt so cool and already integrated when I was invited to join them for happy hour on Thursday evening...The Buzz of Transformation: It didn't take long for me to recognize that this place isn't just talking about transformation; it's actually doing it. I can't think of any other client I have ever worked with that is so committed, from top to bottom, to the hard work it takes to plan for and execute a transformation agenda; and this one is aggressive. The spirit of responsibility for change is remarkable, palpable. And everyone I spoke to about it is excited, supportive, and enthusiastic about the future of the company. No shit-talking, no sarcasm; just positivity, realism, engagement and willingness to do the work. What. A. Treat. I'm in!Seeing Some Friends: As a bonus, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, I got to share a meal in the city with two of my girls: one from the lululemon tribe, one from the IBM tribe. We recounted meaningful life moments and engaged in inspiring conversations. London LowI let my guard down.Thursday evening. My last night in London. My last night away from home in almost 8 weeks.Sipping on my second pint, feeling good at the pub, hanging with the ladies from the office. Reflecting on a great week of work, each of us sharing stories of pride for being part of this company.I stepped away to use the loo.Then I squeezed amongst dozens of pub-goers on my way back to our banquette and reached for my lipstick in my bag I had left on the floor close by my seat.Except no bag. It was gone....In the span of 3 minutes, my whole world changed. This cannot be happening to me. Not now.Yet it had. And all I had with me was my cell phone and a tribe of 3 women that were strangers 3 days before.Pause to answer the burning questions:-My passports were in my hotel room-But everything else I care about was in that backpack: laptop (the one I had been without a few weeks before in Munich, remember?) and all its peripherals; wallet inclusive of ID, cash, card; glasses and sunglasses; a scarf I had just bought in Munich; my notebook; and a few valuable sentimental items.I felt like I became paralyzed. I wanted to start crying. But I knew I needed to try and keep calm. Becoming hysterical would be completely counterproductive, let alone make a bad impression on my new colleagues... But I was in shock.Sophie took charge, thank the lord. We stepped outside for a little quiet and decided it was a good idea to call the police. She handled that call while I made the list of what was in the bag.Then I had to take the reigns and notify my 3 banks. Have you ever tried to call your US bank's 1-800 number from a foreign country in an emergency situation and follow that IVR tree? How's that for a pain point you think?I sucked it up and about 45 minutes later, all of the immediate to-dos were under control. I made a list to take care of the next morning, rejoined the team and enthusiastically accepted their offer of another pint.I sat there and tried to engage in the conversation as much as I could. Be present. There is nothing more you can do about this now. It's gone."Caroline, how much money do you think you need to get home?", Rosie asked.Oh yeah fuck... I realized in that moment that I had absolutely nothing with me. I've never traveled this light."Let's go to the ATM and get you some pounds for the trip home", encouraged Laura.In a moment where I was the most vulnerable I have ever felt in my entire life, three practically strangers were there for me. Thank you ladies. I am extremely grateful.--As soon as I stepped into the taxi to my hotel, the tears started flowing. I practically didn't sleep that night.The next morning, as I visited the hotel's front desk to ask for a late check out, Robyn, the hotel manager asked me: "Are you ok?" Did my poofy eyes give it away?I answered frankly: "No, I am not. My backpack was stolen last night. I am so violated..."She empathized with me as she recalled her purse being stolen in Istanbul a few month previously. "I understand how you feel. It's awful to be a theft victim, especially in a foreign country. Yet, this is an opportunity to get creative and to start over. You will be ok."It was exactly what I needed to hear. I needed my feelings acknowledged. I needed words of affirmation and encouragement about creating a different story.And she was right. It's been a few days now, and with the help of another amazing woman, my friend Stefanie, I've already started new and am eager to continue to create.It was time for a new laptop anyway, wasn't it? So, obviously, I went for gold.
Asking for help, to get out of the low...I am ok.