Review

Angela Tickner, Senior Learning and Development Manager, Yell

Managing your own self-development whilst “driving the bus” can be difficult to fit in unless you make the time. For a year or so, I have been focusing on my development by reading articles, attending events and networking etc. So when the “Audience with Charisma” brochure was sent to me, I initially dismissed it thinking it was too soft and fluffy for me and my ‘Corporate Persona’. When I saw another brochure, it arrived at a time where I was feeling much less in control at work, had chronic neck and back pain, felt under appreciated and certainly overworked. Does this sound familiar to you?

As a result of my circumstances, I re-read the brochure and realised that this was sent to me again for a reason – and that perhaps I should look further and deeper. I had come to realise that how I was feeling would not be solved by working harder or longer or handing my health over to medical specialists. I needed a different approach to find the answer.

When I first arrived at this new event, I felt an air of excitement and trepidation at the same time. There was of course no reason for this as after a warm welcome I quickly realised that I was amongst others who were very open and there for similar reasons to me. The event was lead by Nikki and her wonderful team who are there to support you at every stage.

One of the many pleasant surprises I had was, noticing how quickly I was enjoying being a delegate, having my thinking challenged and noticing how easily people opened up. Often on training events, exercises are about following a process. Here it proved very different. At times I felt a little out of my comfort zone by exploring issues – however with encouragement from everyone around me, it was easy to take that leap of faith.

Throughout the two days I experienced a whole spectrum of emotion from happiness to confusion but most of all, by the end of day two, I felt very, very calm. I have recognised that I spent years of trying to deal with neck/back ache through the NHS with medication and specialists and at no time did look inside to heal myself. These two days felt totally self indulgent – time just for me to start on the exciting journey of realisation and self discovery.

Often, the test of a good training event are:

1. What will you do differently and
2. How much do you think about the event and the learning afterwards.

Whilst it has only been a week since I attended, I have found that each day, some of the messages, some of the supportive wisdom from others are still with me. Each day, I have felt the power and energy of the event still washing over me. This is a truly wonderful feeling.

So what has changed? I have enjoyed six days with little of the neck and back pain that I suffered for fifteen years, despite the best efforts of the NHS. I feel more human than I have felt for years. I have an inner calmness and peace. I recognise that I am still “driving the bus”, but do feel now, that at least I know which direction the bus is going in!

If you feel that you are at a crossroads or you feel weighed down by work/personal life, you have two choices – to do something about it or to do nothing. Thankfully for me I did do something and something different. Since returning to work I have noticed that others around me are equally as frazzled as I was. This event would definitely help them.

‘An Audience with Charisma’ may not be for everyone, but would be great for those who are prepared to step out of their comfort zone and look at things from a different perspective. As well as the obvious benefits that I have received, it has been inspiring listening to feedback from others at work this week. Many have commented how much calmer and relaxed I seem. Interestingly though, I wasn’t even aware that I had been stressed or really knew how others were experiencing me. What do others see of you – what would they say?

For me, these two days have probably helped stop me going into total melt down.

In short transformational.

Can you afford to miss this?