Can you work stuff out?

Over the weekend my husband Arran, who rides bicycles and motorbikes, was saying how cold it has been riding both recently. 

That's because two things have happened here in New Zealand: 

1.        The temperature dropped quite rapidly a few weeks ago, and 

2.        Arran works at least half the week in Hamilton, which is a 90-minute drive south from our place in Auckland. 

Arran rides his motorbike to and from Hamilton, which is generally colder than Auckland and he rides his bicycle while he is in Hamilton. There has been much talk of winter gloves for the bicycle, and heated gloves and grips for the motorbike. There was also talk of thermal base layers particularly for the bicycle riding. 

Maybe I could sew you some base layers I piped up. I had noticed that the fabric shops nearby had merino wool knitted fabric, perfect for this task, and I knew I could sew a t-shirt which is basically what a base layer for cycling is. 

I made a pattern from one of Arran’s old “base layers”, headed out to purchase the fabric and I got stuck into making a garment with external flat seams, which I have never done before. 

But I have learnt that I’m good at working stuff out. I looked at the construction of Arran’s old base layer, I reviewed a couple of patterns, I did some measuring and tried a few different things. 

I finished the garment at about 8.30pm on Sunday night, so Arran could have it with him in Hamilton this week. 

Arran was pretty happy with it, but I wasn’t. The fit wasn’t quite right. The seams weren’t all flat and neat. The neckline turned out to be a boat neckline rather than a round neckline…..I felt despondent, and I kept waking up in the middle of the night thinking about how I would improve it next time.

You would think sleep would be more important. 

When I first started working in my career in human resources, which included organisational development, change management and diversity and inclusion, I was given opportunities not because I knew all the things. I was given opportunities because I could work stuff out. I remember saying in one interview (multiple times) that no I didn't know how to do that yet but I would love to learn. I got that job. 

I was also given opportunities because I could bring a different perspective, and be practical in how I explained and implemented projects.

So here's the thing. If you engage me to support and drive your Diversity & Inclusion work, not only can I work stuff out, especially if you have a challenging problem or issue, I also have the experience of delivering practical Diversity & Inclusion solutions from working inside big, complex and busy organisations. 

There aren't many consultants who can say that.

Lisa xx

P.S Check out the work we do at The Culture Ministry