I got up this morning just like every other morning...
Off to make breakfast and a coffee to get the day started... oh crap electro day ... another regular event these days; oh joy.
Back to my desk for the onslaught of conference calls, issues, and projects that needed to be tended too.
At 4pm there was a slight deviation in my regular schedule and very impactful event which represented the culmination of a carefully orchestrated process that I've had in the works for several months. A task that our HR department felt more comfortable in letting me drive verses taking it on themselves given the breadth and magnitude of the reach required.
You see today it became official... I woke up as Tim... and closed the day as Jennifer.
Not only do I work for a large company but my attach is broad and deep given the role I play, the visibility I have, and the long standing relationships I've built and maintained through 20 years on the job.
This notice went out across many organizations and all geographies representing a large percentage of the 110k employee base.
As a very dear friend said with 7 simple but striking words... "Welcome to the rest of your life"... and so it will be.
So with the simple click of the mouse button notice went out, virtually across the entire organization, of my transition and corresponding Name and Email changes that will go into effect over night.
Its been several hours since the proverbial notices hit the wire and as of this posting my mailbox; soon to be retired, is overflowing with 1200 (and counting) emails and the flow hasn't slowed nor do I expect it too through the night. Hits and comments on my internal social networking notice as well are equally pushing large numbers. I'm guessing IT are trying to figure out if we've been hit by cyber attack or something.
I've been doing personal and private 1:1 notices over the past 3 weeks with folks I felt needed; nay deserved, a more personal notice. That process in itself was both time consuming and emotionally draining but necessary.
Last week we had a global training in Vegas with 700 attendees and that was a bit of a "soft launch" with me trying my best to exist under the radar (at least til the end of the training... all rules went out the door on Thursday evening so a number had the opportunity to meet the new and improved me).
The outpouring of support has been at times overwhelming and causing moments of tears (tears of joy).
Yesterday my org VP commented that he has no idea how I've been able to put such a plan in place and execute accordingly in such a way where normal business was not impacted. Crap; I've inadvertently raised my own bar of what I'll be expected to deliver going forward.
Tomorrow I'll get up like I do every day... come down, and make breakfast, coffee, and as usual park myself at my desk for the normal onslaught of conference calls, issues, and projects that needed to be tended too.
Tomorrow will somehow be different as a large milestone in my transition will have been achieved and its back to work plain and simple.
This is one of those surreal moments in our transitions that we know we all will reach at some point. I've read the stories posted by many of you. Your feelings and your experience getting to this point. What no one can prepare anyone for is what it actually feels like. All I can say right now is OMG I'm awash in tears and happiness as I've waited so long for this moment and worked so hard to ensure that it would go as smoothly as possible.
I now deserve a cocktail, curl up and reflect on so much and look ahead.
Cheers... Jennifer
Originally Posted by Jennifer-GWN
