I work for a great company, and support a team in a great industry. It’s a controversial one in many ways and that has led to a tight communications community. But its challenges have been upstaged in recent weeks by a national political controversy in Ottawa that has dragged my company’s name through the mud. I don’t want to get into the whys and wherefores of it all, but suffice it to be said that it has been a long and stressful few weeks for this company communicator.
Fortunately, I work with a great team, who have all pitched in to make sure the many plates we are spinning stay balanced and moving while we deal with the fallout. Coincidentally, these last weeks were also the leadup to my industry’s most important national conference. These are the sorts of events where it is rare that everything goes smoothly, and every year it’s our job to make sure nobody sees the behind-the-scenes catastrophes.
This year’s preparation was no different, but my great team shielded me from the worst of it and our delegation headed out to our nation’s capital a few days ahead of me. I had to stay behind to support other activities. But when those duties concluded, I headed to Ottawa to join the team.
I got to the hotel and checked in. I took a few minutes to do some deep breathing to try and relieve some of the stress – and also gear up for the inevitable questions – before I headed down to the show floor. I’m a natural introvert, and these events always take a lot out of me at the best of times. This year, I was dreading it – the anticipated questions and insinuations were exhausting before they even began.
So when I got downstairs, I was completely taken aback. People were friendly, open and quick to offer support. There was no judgement (in fact, one particularly wonderful person even made sure I was properly fed when lunch failed to appear!). Every single one of my industry communications colleagues wrapped me in a metaphorical hug. And many of them gave me a physical one as well. It was both comforting and soul-reviving to be with a group of people who knew so well what it meant – without being in the middle of it – and what we’re up against. They truly propped me up.
When the conference ended and we all went our separate ways, I left exhausted, as usual, but also with new strength to continue fighting the good fight. The “Nuclear Family” has a whole new meaning to me.
