I’ve just returned from a long weekend away. It was a gift from dear friends who offered their beautiful beach house to celebrate the end of chemo and lift my spirits before surgery.
It was the four of us: Bia (my 15-year-old), her friend (as Maya, my youngest, was on a school trip), Guga and me.
We went on boat trips, snorkelled, wandered through the mangroves, explored artisan shops, lay by the pool, danced to music. It was SO perfect.
But what I didn’t expect was to see a completely different side of Bia.
Sometimes, it takes stepping away from it all to truly see the people we love, and ourselves, in a new light.
We’d sit around the table at mealtimes, telling stories and laughing. The kind of deep, contagious laughter that takes over your whole body, makes your cheeks hurt and leaves tears streaming down your face.
And it was in those moments where we were sharing stories and so totally relaxed with one another that I saw this incredible side to Bia that I’d never seen before. How is that even possible?
That’s the power of stepping outside the day-to-day. Of being together in a different context.
We’ve all been through a lot over these past few months. My treatment, of course, but also the girls adapting to new routines and a new reality. This weekend gave us a chance to recalibrate, but also to reconnect.
It reminded me of the importance of intentionally creating environments where something unique can happen between people.
Where connections deepen. Where we really see each other in a new way.
Because when that happens, it lays the foundation for stronger relationships.
At home. At work. Everywhere.
And this is exactly what we do at TIE Leadership.
We broaden horizons.
We create opportunities for people who might never otherwise meet to connect across departments, regions, sectors and worlds.
Because when people step out of their comfort zones and connect in new ways, something shifts.
They start to think differently.
Lead differently.
BE differently.
And that’s where transformation begins. With human connection.
A huge thank you to Cliffy and Kuka for this long weekend. For your love, generosity, and for creating this space for connection. It was exactly what we all needed.
