By Kerry Middleton, Head of Communications, Marketing and Engagement at Oxfordshire County Council.
Last week was a real rollercoaster of highs and a few lows.
So the highs. I’ve been utterly inspired by the incredible mental and physical feat of Jamie Laing, Radio 1 presenter, who ran five ultramarathons (over 150 miles!) in five days for Comic Relief. Up until Christmas the man hadn’t run more than 5k, and the longest he ran after that was 25k. The physical and mental determination to do this was phenomenal!
Not quite the same, but after a particularly challenging working week (we all have them!), it got me thinking about Jamie’s motivations, inspiration and how he defied all odds.
He’s clearly an incredibly driven person but the main thing he kept talking about that kept him going was the team around him. His friends, family, the production crew, his physio, and listeners who kept donating. He opened up a very positive dialogue across the week about mental wellbeing and his personal struggle, which was so inspiring and welcomed by, what felt like, the entire nation. By sharing and making himself vulnerable he connected with so many people, and these new connections, as well as his old ones, carried him over the finish line.
Professionally (and recognising the drama levels are not exactly comparable:), that got me thinking when it gets tough what lifts the spirits and motivates? Like Jamie, the team around every one of us is crucial but for me taking real time out to be with colleagues who get it, is the ticket. Those peers who understand what can sometimes feel like an abyss of challenge, wrapped up in red tape, to the opportunities, the wonder and excitement when we make those deadlines and deliver real impacts.
Over my career, I have started to invest more time in building that peer support. To grow, reflect and become more human again, to recharge, we have to invest in opportunities to connect. This isn’t a nice to have but an essential form of professional development.
I am part of the fantastic LGComms Executive gang and we organise a fabulous annual opportunity to do this! Bringing communicators in the public sector together to spend one or two days sharing best practice, horizon scanning and oodles of learning.
If you’re not already familiar, this is LGComms Academy and the next one is in Bristol on 11 and 12 July. We are working on a jam packed programme of workshops and speakers for you, to get you curious, connected and spark the creative juices.
Jump off the hamster wheel for just a short while and come and join us. Say hi when you do (I’ll be one of those holding a mic and a coffee, possibly a clip board if I’m lucky). Grab an early-bird ticket now. Don’t miss out!