All Smiles and Tears in the Eyes

Today was a pivotal moment for the IBM UWBA Sub Team. All the work over the past 3 and a bit weeks has been all worth it to see the response that we saw today. Today I was so proud of what we as a team have been able to achieve in such a short time, and seeing it all being pulled together! It was a small moment that just happened, completely unprepared, but so worth it!

But let me first digress and make mention of the events of today as I think through the day and share with you all a couple of highlights.

This afternoon I got to watch my colleague Susannah (IBM UK) take the team through a Design Thinking Workshop Journey. She presents this topic with such flair. The workshop was fun, it was quick to the point, and definitely got a vibe working in the room as Susannah introduced this topic to pass on some skills to help UWBA to work through some of their top issues after we have gone. Everybody was engaged, everybody got involved, with plenty of questions, laughter, seriousness over a lunch and learn.

Then later this afternoon, the UWBA group were pumped and wanted to know what was happening tomorrow as they had all been invited to come learn what we have been working on. As we were sitting there, suddenly all eyes were upon us, inquisitive as they had heard about this Engagement Model Workbook that we had put together. They wanted a sneak peak.

Due to the enthusiasm, there was a quick demonstration. What came next we were not expecting … I watched and captured the following pictures to keep that memory alive … my heart melted as I saw the reactions of these passionate women whom live and breathe wanting to make a difference. That was the moment, to beat all moments! To see their expressions and reactions was just gold, knowing that we had done something to make a difference! There were huge smiles, and tears in the eyes. Needless to say that they are all talking about it, and all are very excited for our presentation to them tomorrow.

Tonight was our last group yoga in person, at our favourite place, the Grace Cathedral. I am certainly going to miss this beautiful loving environment like no other. So joined by some of my IBM CSC colleagues – Susannah, Benedicte, Abhay, Valentin, Noemi, and Emma (Atlas Corps), we all were one, at peace, enjoying the special time together with a few hundred others, as we spent an hour breathing and doing our downward dog and cobra moves, knowing that it was our last time F2F. The music amazing, every week it is someone different who plays or sings the night away. Highly recommend if you are ever in San Fran.

I did suggest we might want to take up a virtual yoga session, not sure how successful we will be at it, but hey you never know.

After yoga, Benedicte, Susannah, Noemi and I joined our UWBA colleagues for a Mexican Taco Farewell for Meghan, whom is moving to the Contra Costsa Sparkpoint. It was lovely to see them all and enjoy a yummy meal, a beer and great conversation.

That’s all for today!

Before I sign off, I wanted to take a moment to thank the many of you whom have spoken to me about my blog, how you have followed my journey so far. It has been brilliant hearing your feedback, which has certainly been encouraging. Thank you for taking the time. In fact I am so enjoying blogging that I’m thinking of continuing on with it after CSC … watch this space!