I’m not sure how to start this week. Yesterday I did my first in person thing with people from work. It was just lovely. There were hugs, brief hugs.
This meant I went on the tube, there were more people than I thought their might be. I got out at Westminster and walked to the venue (more on that later) I walked past the outpouring of love that is the National Covid Memorial Wall
I don’t know who started it, but it feels like something to be maintained over the years so I’ll find a piece of red chalk for future passing visits. I haven’t lost anyone in my close family to Covid and I don’t feel as that matters many many people have and that’s something that almost everyone not just in this little island but across in the globe knows.
On my journey I took a wrong turn and saw the venue I was at the last time I went into London to meet people, I remember it well and have been thinking about it this week. Back then at the start of the pandemic in the UK we were keen to press ahead with the event but Clare Moriarty made a few calls an Chris Witty suggested we didn’t. I don't think I truly knew at the time who Chris Witty was, but I think most people in the UK know who he is now.
Charles and I rejigged the agenda, contracting the check-in as there was lunch to one simple question.
What do you want this space to be for you today?
Hold on I’m racing ahead. So the meeting was the second Senior Leadership Team awayday. Were now in a monthly cycle, in this session we also plotted out what were going to get deeper into over the next three sessions till the end of the year.
I did that exercise — Human Layers (which I titled ‘Your Legacy’) which is described in The Good Ancestor p66–67. It went well. I had a lump in my throat as I handed back to Charles and I really felt that gear change tough in the group between going form personal — very personal to team. But there is part of me that say’s these transitions shouldn't all be easy, that reduce where we get to. Charles covered Team Purpose and I then did Blockers and Charles wrapped with a celebration check out. After tiding up Charles and I joined the team at a local pub and then on to eat — I left the team at that point — I got to see Debbie in person it was very nice. I’ve been going to bed at 8:30pm this week to try and get Eloise into a good routine now she’s back at school, so leaving London just after 7pm after facilitating I was very tired.
I caved in (also there’s an occasion next week) and got some doughnuts — yes actual ones not economic models.
Till I had one at 11’s today I was very sleepy. I do hope my replies to emails I sent stand up. I did a quick summary PowerPoint and sent that back to the Team. Lots of other things to type up and get rolling — but they can hold till next week.
Others things this week
I’ve consistently said the Leadership Forum outline is something I would focus on — I still haven't, I think I’m doing that thing of keep mentioning it so I don't forget, very peculiar.
I finished another note book. The biggest note from this week in the old notebook that stands is Ship Stuff I’m not sure if someone said it or I thought someone should, hold this is the frame… interesting, I mean why take notes?
Our new consultants joined this week. Appart from the intro chat, I also spoke to Kim. We had a lovely Big Retro to say goodbye to Mark Dalgarno. I’ve really enjoyed working with Mark, it’s hard to say goodbye but a lovely session.
One lunch – Tuesday perhaps I took the dogs for a walk and met up with Audree Fletcher which was really nice. It was sunny and a very nice chat, still not sure if the world has been put to rights or just noticed a bit more.
I also met with Nour and Clare which was just wonderful as ever, though I felt like as was definitely half in the conversation with Eloise also occasionally needing me.
As ever there were lots of other lovely chats, things started and things finished.
