A week before I was due to fly to Riyadh, I read reports of a missile being intercepted.
It felt scary. I wanted to go, and I was questioning the decision.
There was another choice to make too. Rich Litvin's 4PC coaching community, which I am part of, was gathering in Montreal. I wanted to be there. These are people I learn with, and spending time together matters to me.
In theory, I could have fitted in both trips by cutting Montreal short. I am quite good at making things fit.
I would have arrived in Riyadh exhausted. I was going to speak, facilitate and meet people. I wanted to have the energy to actually be there.
So I chose Riyadh. And I accepted that choosing it meant missing Montreal.
Before leaving, I made a decision:
“I choose to believe I'm safe. I choose to trust my gut and my intuition.”
Then, on the flight, I saw another report of a drone and missile interception, further away.
What surprised me was my response. I felt okay. I had made my decision, and I was no longer having the same argument with myself.
That feeling stayed with me.
We all look at the world through what we know and the information we receive. It shapes what we expect, where we go and which opportunities we consider possible.
Being in Riyadh gave me information I could never have gained by reading about it.
I met women building businesses, investing and advocating for each other. I finally met the people I had been preparing a panel with. We already had a shared task. In person, we began to know each other beyond it.
Nothing can beat a connection in person.
The Women Shaping Wealth Summit brought together more than 3,000 participants from 52 countries. I spoke on one panel and facilitated another, and an unexpected change in the schedule gave us one more conversation.
I had gone there to contribute. I came back with a great deal to think about.
One part of the trip also made me reflect on my years at BNP Paribas.
Several years ago, someone from BNP Paribas whom I had never met or spoken to introduced me to Wafa, CEO of Playbook, the organisers of the summit. That introduction led to coaching work, and now to speaking at the summit. They made it because a person they trusted could speak for me.
We often think of our reputation as something attached to our current role. Yet the relationships we build, and people's experience of working with us, can carry into a completely different chapter.
My career in banking is still creating possibilities in my work today. I find that rather wonderful.
I am glad I went. It was one of the best decisions I have made recently.
It took courage to go. It also took courage to leave another opportunity behind and stop trying to fit everything in.
I wanted to arrive with something to give. Choosing one trip helped me do that.
If you are planning a leadership event and want to explore self-trust, courageous decisions and Healthy Intensity, get in touch with us about speaking.
Tatiana x