This right here is where the relationship starts.

By encouraging people to tell their stories in a safe space, seeing and hearing people come out of their shell bit by bit is something that never gets old, and I cherish each interaction.

The body language change was amazing to see.

From being almost scared to say anything, sat rigid, tightly hunched with arms crossed and fists clenched at the start, to open arms, laughing, hand gestures when explaining, sitting on the edge of their seats as they listen intently to others talk, and nodding and agreeing ‘yeah that happened to me as well’. For some, it felt to me like they had not had that sense of freedom of being able to let their guard down and talk among friends like that in a long, long time.

I believe we now have the makings of a team coming together in UAE, some from different countries, many working in different companies, yet, somehow, we formed a bond, in my opinion I think people left that get together with renewed hope for the future.

They left with an understanding that not everyone wants to fleece them of their money.

We even got to talk a little bit about what makes a great technician and during that conversation one young chap who spoke almost nothing for an hour, well it was like a switch had been flicked on in his head. When he suddenly said out of the blue ‘marketing’, laughed and nodded. He had been putting it all together in his head and saw what we were discussing as a form of marketing.

From that point onwards he was offering input yet also gave me the impression that he knew he was with a group that he could learn a great deal from. That chap had humility, which coupled with a desire to learn more and more, is a great combination. He is going to make a great technician and will end up running workshops and sites in the future, just do the work, let it come to you.