As some of you that have followed my transition progress over the past year and recently; this week represented a fairly significant milestone for me personally leading to final closure.
I came out to my WW team back last June with overwhelming support and over the past 7 months I've interacted with virtually all of them in some way. However, of the 7000+ folks most had not met Jennifer F2F. This week (sat-wed) represented our single largest yearly gathering F2F. Visibility for me would be front and center given my role within the organization and for the event specifically.
Leading up to this past week my nerves and anticipation were on the highest order and the pressure I'd put on myself significant to be solid, to be seen as the significant technical female leader that I am, to be ready 110%. This was my time to emerge; the time to leave no doubt in the eyes of the global team that I'm a strong and confident woman in the organization.
I expected this event to be similar emotionally as experienced back in June. Happily it was not. Happily in fact it was but a non event. I was me and I went about my day as I would any other conference. Sure there were a considerable number of hugs and acknowledgements of both my accomplishments and; due to my visibility, that I've created a path for others in the organization to follow. But it came without tears... it came with a accelerated sense of confidence in myself and an acknowledgement that my approach and plans regarding coming out at work had be solid. There is no question that I've assimilated. There's no question that I'm solid. There's also no question that I've been recognized across the organization for what I've accomplished by the executive management team at the very top levels and am an inspiration to others within the organization.
This was a pretty incredible week. Long days on my feet, countless meetings with colleges, team breakouts to set direction for the coming year, and personal time with friends I've had within the organization for many many years.
There were surprisingly also a large number of folks who actually didn't even recognize me which I found astonishing. Have I changed that much since this event last year. Well the answer to that is yes clearly. So to some degree this was my first time at the event (and I did use that occasionally as an ice breaker).
I've returned exhausted but happy. Its brought closure to me. Closure in knowing that I'm solid in who I am personally and professionally. I've reestablished myself across the organization. I've been accepted (not that I hadn't been already) by the team. The strength of my relationships with so many have reached new heights. The year ahead is going to be pretty incredible given that I'd pretty much curtailed much of what had been my travel norm just to allow me time to do what I needed to do without travel complications and the complexities of engaging customers F2F. My travels in Oct to Europe proved that I was ready to get back on the road.
The caption on on the slide captures so much for me... Inspire Inside. Succeed Outside.
For me these words represent a great deal for me personally beyond their intended purpose.
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There's more steps ahead as part of my transition including bottom surgery, etc but this is purely inwardly orientated.
I hope this represents a degree of inspiration to you all. Transition is a brutal process. For some it goes well, for some it is riddled with speed bumps and issues, much out of our control but we have plan what we can, anticipate what's ahead as best possible, and then roll with the punches. My organization and team has been beyond outstanding and I acknowledge and give thanks for that daily.
Cheers... Jennifer
Yeh Jen
Rachel Smith May 2017
I couldn't smell the smoke, and now I'll watch the flames 
