From Anxiety to Community
Anne was the first to arrive at one of our retreats. We could feel the low level of tension just below the surface from the moment she stepped out of the car. “Wow”, she commented, “this place is really old”. Not exactly the words we expected when people encounter the historic 15th century villa for our Florence retreat – but accurate!
We learned to expect this from Anne: candor and direct input: no unnecessary fillers or filters.
What we didn’t expect was the vulnerability she displayed on day two of the retreat.
Anne came to the retreat at her company’s invitation. She didn’t seek out the event, and was thrilled that her company was making the investment in her development. Because she is driven, and highly self-aware, Anne came into the retreat ready to learn, discover and grow. She came committed to get as much out of her time as she could. Her willingness to share her experience, wisdom and – yes – anxiety with the other women on the retreat was a game-changer.
One of the more senior women at her company, Anne knew that the spotlight was frequently on her. She knew that other women in the company looked up to her. She knew that her many accomplishments were an inspiration to others. She also knew the old phrase “it’s lonely at the top” can ring true. Often the only woman in executive forums, Anne found a group of allies at the retreat. She talked openly about times when she’d felt incredibly accomplished and incredibly alone at the same time. Because she opened up, others found a way to share their own stories and experiences. That’s what Anne does – she’s a trailblazer.
Here was the real surprise for us: as we closed the retreat, Anne shared something. She shared the anxiety she’d had coming into the week. She’d never been on a days-long trip – business or personal – with only women. She was at best unsure of what to expect; at worst cynical about the outcome.
What she found in the five day experience was that she could let her guard down, that she didn’t have to always be the one with the answers, and that there are other women dealing with challenges similar to the ones she faces. Most importantly, Anne found a community of support that she can rely on – and that made the whole experience, in her own words “life-changing.”
