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In March 2022, I got a phone call from across the Atlantic. Naïs from VW wanted to talk about how to infuse more life in her global team’s storytelling responsibilities.
“The Bridge,” a modern communications department, not only lives up to its name inside the Group, but also builds bridges to the outside world. That’s why Nais brings its team members, and Group-wide “friends” of the department, together with external thinkers – from business and the arts. For exchange, inspiration and more understanding on both sides.
“You write from the heart Caroline. The team needs this kind of impulse. Please come talk to us.“
What she didn’t know is that I was the one in need of impulse. Truth is, I was miserable. I had recently left my corporate job. The pity parties were plenty, as I was facing the reality that for the third time in my career, I had made the mistake of picking a lucrative box on a seemingly desirable org chart that just wasn’t right for me.
Her invitation electrified me, like out of a coma.
“I’m in! What do you say we talk about love, at work“, I energetically responded.
She gets me. 🫶🏼
In July 2022, I presented this deck on The Bridge. Today, I still think it’s the best deck I ever made.
A year. That’s as long as I trained to cross the finish line at Ironman almost a decade ago – for an epic welcoming of my 4th decade.
Now, I’m looking ahead at my 5th, and I see the same long-road. But no finish line. I’m just going forward, experienced and trained.
That’s how long it took me. Between post its & old school notebooks, my Notes app, Word docs and all of the other digital tools I have tried over the years, I wrangled my creativity, sharpened my skills as craft, and produced my own ideas. I saw it come together, emotions and all, for my capstone project at Heroic Public Speaking. When I wrote this script.
One that’s actually become a manifesto, for my love, of work.
For now, Love, at Work is an idea I want to bring to the TEDx-stage. It’s worth spreading.
I’ve got time.
And the support of so many people I love. ❤️
I’m currently applying and looking for connections to 2024 TEDx stages.
Got TED contacts? Please ping! 🙏🏼
Love,
CT
PS. There were ironically no robots involved in the process.
Say something, go ahead!