Just boarded the train to start the journey home, which including the bus to get to the station, is going to be around an 11-hour journey ahead. It might be the worst part of any trip, but I am looking forward to getting home to my family, bed and an electric toothbrush.
There was a "fair bit" of drinking going on during this trip and I haven't had so much to drink since the Fest3 in Krakow in 2018. That seems like a very long time ago. I didn't drink so much overall though, but the lack of quality sleep is weighing on me. I have had more sleep here than normal even perhaps, but sharing a room doesn't give for rest and last night, my knee kept waking me up whenever I moved slightly.
I think that the biggest energy stealing issue was the "always on" feeling with colleagues and because there was a lack of privacy, there was very little respite. I still find it hard to relax in a situation like this, but the people who are used to ski and cabin trips with large groups of friends, had no such issue.
The culture is kind of cool like this though, as it all becomes less formal and even though there are technical hierarchy and seniority differences between the group, it never felt like it during the week. Most were Scandinavian where social convention is flatter in general, but even those who came from other European areas slotted right into the groove. There was also a very high up manager from the US who is new to the company and no one had met before who stayed the first few nights, and he definitely scored some points with the team.
The organic and unscheduled structure of the week has meant that the discussion lines were blurred between work and social and while we covered a lot of important points, the main thing of value was building trusted relationships that will come into play in the future. As usual, a lot of people opened up to me about things that they tend not to talk about socially, which demonstrates that trusted relationship progression and, going forward we will collaborate more and more smoothly.
It is a lot more than just sharing a drink though, there is a whole cluster of points that go into relationship development and it has been interesting to see how people have changed toward me, as I am from outside the sales team and new to working with any of them directly. Hopefully, I scored a few points too, at least that will make the pain in my knee worth it.
It has also been interesting to write and share pictures this week, as it has been a "Hive Holiday" in some way also, as I have kept it hopefully lighter and slightly less wordy - but personally, I miss writing more.
How has it been for you?
Right now though, after a while writing in the moving train I am starting to get motion sick, so I will end this one here and see how I feel in the evening once back in Finland. If not tonight - the weekend is here!
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]