Intentions Have Impact
Here at Triciapedia we’re just landing on the other side of the Spring “busy season,” which included producing seven events over about a ten week period and took us to three different cities (including a couple of times that we were in two cities on the same day!). We’ve had a lot of fun, met a lot of great people and been grateful to support organizations that are doing incredible work that has broad-reaching impact.
For a while now, I’ve been saying this: “We may work hard sometimes, but it doesn’t have to suck.” This, I am learning, is a pretty disruptive phrase, especially in the event industry. Just last week, a new colleague remarked to me, “I like working with you, you work with nice vendors.”
Yes. And that is intentional.
The work of events can be competitive, intense, and grueling. The days can be long, the emotions high and almost always there are lots of “small p” politics in play. That environment can be really stressful for folks, especially our clients whose work is completely different in style and approach.
So, how do we go about working hard without drama, toxicity, and well, suckiness? Here are a few concrete examples:
We don’t work with clients or vendors who thrive on drama or are genuinely unkind.
We discuss how we are going to make sure our basic needs are met at an event–where and when will we sleep, eat, and take breaks? What should we wear to make sure we are comfortable, able to do our work, and presenting a professional appearance?
We center kindness and humanity. As a team, this means we take the time in our internal meetings to check in with one another on a human level. We openly celebrate victories and create space for the airing of challenges. We tell stories that make us laugh!
We try to have a little fun. Yes, I’m still giving out scratch n sniff stickers. We make jokes. We take mistakes in stride, adjust and learn.
We put gratitude first–in our emails, in our conversations, and in our close out after events.
We are honest. Sometimes, it’s hard to be honest. And sometimes, it’s hard for people to receive our honesty. But it builds trust.
We ask for help.
Here’s to the power of leading with kindness.