A couple of days ago I accepted an invitation to speak to the LGBTIQ advocacy group at a large resource company that has a base halfway between our Home here in Busselton and Perth. I won’t share their name in case there are valid and legal reasons for me not to do so, but they are awesome.
The initial invite arrived sometime ago, but I deferred it, primarily because I simply wasn’t ready to face a group of complete strangers and talk through my story. The brief was simple, come and talk to our LGBTIQ group (called EAGLE – Employees Gay Lesbian Equality ) about your journey.
This week has been somewhat chaotic, with medical specialist appointments for both Jane and myself, along with a couple of fairly important meetings, workshops, and, to top it all off, a couple of nights away from home in Perth.
On the back of all of the work and daily life stuff, I am going to be honest, I was not really enthusiastic about another long drive, followed by a challenging talk to a group I knew little about, but I am glad I did.
Arriving late, and with all four tyres squealing in protest as I turned into the Car Park of the company, I was embarrassed to note a small gathering of people waiting for me outside the office…..That probably didn’t look good….Oh well, at least they would have thought I was keen…..
I was quickly ushered through reception, offered the chance to use the amenities, which I could desperately have have done with, but I didn’t accept, as I really didn’t want to delay proceedings any further.
I followed my hosts into a large room, that really was more of a Hall. I’m not sure when a large room stops being a large room and becomes a hall, but if that hadn’t happened here, it certainly wasn’t far off.
There were several more people in the room than I expected, and I expected quite a few…..
With the introductions completed, and whilst I began to settle down, I was also relieved to note that I wasn’t first up on the Agenda. That at least gave me time to prepare some words.
The first item was a short video showcasing the engagement of the EAGLE group throughout the business. Given the resource / mining nature of the business it was reassuring to see everyone on the video being very supportive of the EAGLE group.
With the video complete I became aware of my Host Mark beginning to introduce me. I thought about asking to watch the Video again, but reasoned that ruse was probably a little transparent.
I can’t remember a time when I felt more nervous, well except for that time when I was in command of an aircraft with a slightly insane Co-Pilot, and a deathly quiet engine on final approach to a rough looking field, that clearly wasn’t designed as a runway. What I wouldn’t have given for a Martin Baker option that day, but that was a different kind of nervous.
There were just a a few short steps to the front of, what I have decided now is most definitely a Hall. Having arrived at the front of the cavernous venue, I started to glance around at the assembled people. The very first thing I thought of is, that all of these people have “Eagle Eyes.” I very nearly lost it for a moment, but I worked through the rising tide of Panic and told a story that included some lessons learned.
I hoped that my story would add value to the organisation. Clearly adding value to a group that seemed so focused and together was a lofty ambition, but I will feel much better about myself if I hang onto that notion.
I’m not certain how long I spoke for, but I suspect it was around ten to fifteen minutes. A Q&A session followed with several good questions, with a couple of very welcome sincere messages of support thrown in for good measure which helped me relax a little.
With another appointment at 12:00 back in Busselton, followed by a whole series of Scans and Tests to get done, sadly I had to leave the meeting before it was complete….
Yes it was terrifying.
Yes it was challenging to dig so deep and tell my story to strangers.
BUT YES IT WAS WORTH IT.
I am hopeful that this event marks the start of a new era of confidence.
Thanks Mark to your Organisation, Thanks to your Remarkable Leaders and to the Energetic EAGLE team, Keep Up the Good Work !!!!
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