The Power of Community

It’s the last day of learning at work week and a time for reflection. This time last year I wrote an article about The Human Capacity to Learn. It was quite a shock to realise that was the last time I wrote an article. As I begin to reflect on the last year it’s not surprising to realise why. It’s been a tough one.

• I got promoted (yay!) and took on a bigger and more challenging role
• Our work within government has gone from strength to strength (thank you lovely Civil Service clients for your patience, faith and support) and with that comes greater responsibility
• The EY talent team grew through the acquisition of Lane4 and we became EYL4 – an amazing meeting of two likeminded teams, and as anyone who has been there knows, whilst an exciting opportunity for us all, it can also be unsettling for many
• I’ve also had a number of personal challenges with a ruptured achillies, a sick father requiring open heart surgery, two teenagers currently doing A level and GCSE exams and at the beginning of this year I lost my voice

I consider myself to be a resilient person but when I read those bullets I’m surprised I didn’t break. It is the power of community that saved me and as I think about all that others have done for me, I feel very emotional and hugely grateful.

My dear friends who for nearly 10 months, when I had ruptured my achillies, had a rota of support for me. They walked my dogs, ferried my children about, took me to appointments, did numerous jobs that I just couldn’t do myself, who sobbed quietly with me and gave me big hugs when I hit a low. If you know me at all, you’ll know that being inactive and totally reliant on others was a very hard pill to swallow. And I couldn’t have done it without them.

My amazing team at work who sent me food parcels and gifts, who came and worked from my home when I was immobile, through to leading my calls and doing my work when I couldn’t talk, who have had their own challenges and pressures and yet still made space and time to help me. You know who you are, and what you have done and I am so very grateful.

To my new colleagues in our growing EYL4 community many of whom are cut from the same cloth as me. The open and meaningful conversations we have shared about our love of learning, belief in humanity and the potential of people. You have added phenomenal weight to what we can achieve for our clients and have made me super excited for the future of our business. I know it’s been hard, but it will so totally be worth it.

And without it being too weird a thing to say, I am grateful for my ability to connect deeply with myself. Knowing who I am, and how I show up has helped me notice what I need and to accept that sometimes instead being the one to give, it's OK to be the one to receive.

Take a moment now and think about what reflections you might have on the last year, month or week for yourself. I'd love to hear what turns up for you. Here's some questions that might help

• Who or what are you grateful for?
• What has resonated with you on an emotional, spiritual, or human level?
• How has community made a different to you and your life, especially over the last year?
• What one word would you use to sum up your reflections?

I'd love you to post your one word in the comments - no need for a broader explanation. After all dear LinkedIn community, the reflection is yours.