When Work Feels like a Holiday

A week ago I bought Legos for my kids. It wasn't Christmas or a birthday. But for me, it was something similar. I was about to leave for a week, and instead of having a sad moment when I left, the boys got Legos to put together while I was gone on my version of a work holiday.

Once a year, there is an event that a majority of vendors in the security industry are present at from around the world. But for me, this is a time when I get to hang out with the engineer who turned a camera around for me using command line instead of a GUI(graphical user interface). He saved that day in August. This is the time when I get to admit I was wrong to the colleague who I argued with about the value of titles a year ago. This is the time when I get to break bread with that person who mentored me through my largest account yet.

You get to see all of the uncles and aunts-the wise, the awkward, the brilliant. You brush shoulders with the cousins working in the same field, just a slightly different slice of the pie. Watch the newer crowd coming into their own-and remember your first show and how nervous you were. It's a giant extended family reunion of sorts.

I visited a competitor's booth to catch up with the person who introduced me to my dream job. I ran into the woman who welcomed me into that networking group, when I had little value to give beyond my time and desire to learn. The guy who I was convinced was arrogant when I first met him, who now is like a brother and finally works with a partner instead of a competitor, is standing next to one of my close coworkers.

Chasing that new customer down the hall, and enjoying the moment the lightbulb clicks, and they thank you for stopping them on their way. It's like unwrapping a present.

And then there are those who you know were at the reunion, but you missed them. Like the woman that taught you the difference between failure and growth-or perhaps the synonymous nature you hadn't quite been able to see in them yourself. Or that person who couldn't make it to the show this year, but surely will and with great stories to share when 2023 rolls around.

Some people hate trade shows. I happen to love them. I see people standing in their booth, seemingly tortured, and wish I could give them just a bit of what I feel at that moment. There is this sense of purpose, warmth and belonging-surrounded by people who knew/know you as you grew/grow up in your industry. I can only liken it to my work version of a Merry Christmas. People talk about the corporate world and greed and dog-eat-dog nature a lot. And it does exist. But just remember that there is also an incredibly supportive corporate world out there if you choose to find it. And maybe-if you don't already-the next time I see you at a trade show, you'll feel a little bit like I did this week. I hope so.