We Actually Did That
From a committee idea to a few inquiries to a fully-fledged event. This event personally tested me and the team too. We actually did that.
‘There is a little I believe on hearsay, even from myself, producing results good or bad is what is important.’
Within eight weeks, we’ve done so much.
I think I’ll use this blog as a small space to congratulate and take a breather.
Eight weeks.
Strictly two months.
Not a lot of time.
At all.
And we’ve managed to achieve a lot, more than could be expected from us.
We entered a competition, if you want to see that video here it is:
Our Head of School looks awfully happy in that thumbnail.
His elation directly segways into what I want to talk about.
The management of expectations and riding the waves of ups and downs.
A topic that I’m not immune to talk about.
But in relation to these eight weeks and how slow that time has passed for the Society.
I take a lot in pride in what I do.
Whether I do well or do it badly, I feel the need to give it my all.
I’ve always done this.
I exhaust myself for the cause.
Not to show I work hard, but to show that I am diligent.
I have tried to relay that across to the Geography Society work.
Leadership is one thing, which is very hard and testing, but the team around me makes the job easier.
Today’s event culminates a lot of hard work and perserverence.
It started with finding consultants.
We wanted three consultants.
A sustainability, business and financial consultant.
The event went ahead with two out of the three, I’ll explain.
I knew the sustainability consultant through mutual people.
Olly (social secretary) knew the business consultant through an interest in the company.
I found the financial consultant through the university schemes.
We had a great turnout at the event.
The room looked full, there were a few spaces here and there, but overall pretty packed.
I’m always unsure on numbers due to engagement being sometimes lacklustre.
But the room we had was perfect size.
Even if it was impossible to find.
Earlier today, I got an email from the sustainability consultant informing me that they weren’t going to be able to make it today.
At that point, I knew that I had to try and find an alternative.
Fortunately, I do know some sustainability consultants.
Unfortunately, the late timing of the request meant that all weren’t able to attend.
I sent over ten emails and text messages to find an alternative.
In the end, we had the two and apologised at the start of the event.
It was out of my control, but it was useful to see how I reacted during that time.
Leadership makes you manage expectations.
You can’t be the most optimistic but not the most pessimistic either.
I wouldn’t say I swing too often to either one of those sides.
Maybe towards optimism, but usually controlled.
This event was organised without the help of the School.
We did the organising.
We did the planning.
We took responsibility.
We marketed it.
We did the work.
The School is a great resource to use to show access, but after three years I finally did something alone.
It feels great to have taken that responsibility.
It was difficult, of course.
The consultant dropping out last minute was problematic.
Being unsure if the room was actually booked or not.
Turnout, whether the consultants would have anyone to talk to.
There were a lot of things that could’ve gone wrong.
Some did.
But Alastair and Oli were great people to have.
Alastair is a QM alum and Oli was enthusiastic and honest about his experiences.
The influence of students trying to make an impact always resonates with those who want to give back.
I’m sure as I go into a job and get asked to help out, I’ll go out of my way to do so.
The consultants provided some gems of wisdom.
We recorded the event and I’ll be sure to watch it all to relive it.
It was a great event.
It epitomises our mission.
Our mission to make the Geography Society relevant again.
A mission that won’t leave any stone unturned.
We actually did that