S2 EP012 | Joyride With Expatriates – The Colombian Architect Who Loved Baguettes

[00:00:00] INTRODUCTION

[00:00:00]

[00:00:05] Taty Fittipaldi: Hello and welcome to The Leadership Nest podcast. This is season two of the global leadership podcast that combines stories, knowledge and science to soar the leadership in you. I’m your host Taty Fittipaldi. During this season, we invited 20 different expatriates from around the world to share their stories, their learning journeys, and their tips to make you a better leader and an inspired person. You can also watch the live interviews on our YouTube channel! Search for Coaching Expatriates® channel, then select the playlist called Joyride With Expatriates.

[00:00:43] Taty Fittipaldi: In today’s episode, we’ll talk with Olga Conto, who originally comes from Colombia and had the opportunity to live in France. Here is her story.

[00:00:55] JOYRIDE WITH EXPATRIATE

(This section’s transcript was AI-generated and may contain errors)

[00:00:55] Taty Fittipaldi: Hey Olga, welcome to our show. Thank [00:01:00] you so much for being here.

[00:01:01] Olga Conto: No, thank you Tati for inviting me. Very happy to be here.

[00:01:05] Taty Fittipaldi: I am super excited too. And to start our show with the right foot, I wanted to show you my purple lady for you.

[00:01:14] Olga Conto: Yay!

[00:01:17] Olga Conto: I love it!

[00:01:18] Taty Fittipaldi: This is not a good drawing as yours are, and we’re going to show your drawings later to our audience, but I wanted to welcome you with a drawing to start our creative process.

[00:01:30] Olga Conto: I love it. I love it. Thank you.

[00:01:34] Taty Fittipaldi: So Olga, let’s start. Let’s start by talking about your expatriation.

[00:01:38] Taty Fittipaldi: So you were born in Colombia. You had many expatriation experiences. You’ve been in, um, you lived in many places. So tell us a little bit about that and tell us what you missed in those places and what did you not miss in those places?

[00:01:56] Olga Conto: As you’re saying, Tati, I, I do have a little bit of an [00:02:00] experience.

[00:02:00] Olga Conto: Uh, what is interesting is that it has been through different stages of my life. Uh, so I left my native country when I was 16, uh, with my family. So my first experience as an expat, let’s say, was in a family, uh, experience. Uh, uh, we moved to the United States and, uh, it was interesting. It was, um, so many things were new.

[00:02:25] Olga Conto: Uh, it was not the first time I was in that country, but I have never lived abroad. And, uh, and for example, I went into a school that was co ed, so there were boys and girls. And I was coming from a school that was only girls back home. So to begin with, that was like, wow. That was a change. That was a big change.

[00:02:50] Olga Conto: But I think it was actually a very positive change. You know, it is like getting used to seeing boys every day. It’s normal. You know, so it was [00:03:00] very nice. Um, but it was hard. It was hard because my level of English was basic. And it was actually the one assignment, it was, I was always the worst, you know, back at home.

[00:03:12] Olga Conto: So it was kind of an irony, you know, that I was moving to a country where I will have to speak English all the time. Uh, but again, I also think it’s the one thing, you know, that when you move away, if you want to learn the language, you have to be immersed. You know, in, in, in the language, you know, if you take it easy, you know, and just stay with within your language, you know, or do not connect, you know, let’s say with the locals.

[00:03:39] Olga Conto: Um, somehow I know it’s hard, but somehow you will miss the opportunity, you know, and, uh, same thing was with my brother with him. He was even harder because he was coming from a school where he was learning German. So actually he had no idea what to say. And, uh, you know, Actually, at the, uh, after two years, he spoke [00:04:00] better English that I did, you know, obviously he was a little bit younger, but you know, so again, it is, it can be done.

[00:04:07] Olga Conto: It’s just, you know, that it takes a lot of

[00:04:09] Taty Fittipaldi: challenging, but it can be done. Yeah, definitely.

[00:04:12] Olga Conto: Definitely. So that was the first experience. Uh, then I continue as an international student in a university. So new thing, you know, back in Latin America, usually young adults that say stay at home and go during the day to the university.

[00:04:32] Olga Conto: You know, in, uh, in my case, I was living in a dorm, you know, so it was like, wow, this is new. That’s different. So obviously it was, um, A leap of faith, you know, from my parents, like, oh my God, uh, you’re so young, but okay, we’re going to let you go, you know, and you start doing your life. And, uh, it was good. It was good.

[00:04:54] Olga Conto: You learn to, to be responsible. You learn to, to do your laundry, you know, all these things [00:05:00] that it’s not that you never, you know, help at home, but now it’s up to you. Unless you do it,

[00:05:05] Taty Fittipaldi: nobody else will. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

[00:05:08] Olga Conto: You know, so again, that, that was, that was very interesting. And then, um, I also had this opportunity of, uh, trying, um, doing that exchange, you know, and I went to, to France for a few months and then it was amazing because it was the first time.

[00:05:24] Olga Conto: I lived in France and, uh, I had this bohemian life, you know, going into art school and all of that. It was, it was incredible. Uh, I did learn, I did, I did take French classes at the time. Uh, so actually my schedule was very busy. I didn’t have as much time, you know, to party and all of this, but I, I think it was one of the best semesters I ever had, you know, because I was absorbing everything.

[00:05:49] Olga Conto: I was learning into museums and. I don’t know, it was just so good, so good.

[00:05:55] Taty Fittipaldi: Very intellectually active.

[00:05:58] Olga Conto: Completely. [00:06:00] Unfortunately, in that sense, um, that time in Paris was, I did not have that many contact with French people because in that sense, you know, I, I had, you know, Most of my friends were international students like me doing study abroad.

[00:06:15] Olga Conto: So in that sense, for example, I didn’t make any, any, I had one.

[00:06:20] Taty Fittipaldi: It was not as immersive as you’re going to tell us later.

[00:06:24] Olga Conto: Exactly. About your next French experience. Exactly. So you see it as like, I do one thing and then life comes back. Give me another lesson. But I, you know, by all means, it was an amazing experience.

[00:06:40] Olga Conto: You know, everything that I learned and it was just really great. And, um, I also had the opportunity to work, you know, years later in Spain, um, in an architectural firm. Uh, so without before graduating, you know, so he was an intern and that’s also very interesting because then again, you know, it’s [00:07:00] a very local experience, you know, with professionals, you know, from in this country.

[00:07:04] Olga Conto: And, uh, yeah, you’re not as. Well, you’re still a student, but in this experience with a new professional, uh, mindset, let’s put it exactly. So once again, you know, it was this other, again, great, wonderful experience, very welcoming. You, you meet so many people, people are so nice. That, that is one thing that, uh, I always say at the beginning is not necessarily easy.

[00:07:29] Olga Conto: Sometimes you arrive, you’re completely lost. Like for example, when I arrived in Seville, because in Spain, that was in Seville, I didn’t know. And I actually arrived in the days that they have the, the, the Feria, you know, which is a big festivity in the spring and, uh, unless you have been to Sevilla. You wouldn’t imagine, maybe you do know, it’s something like arriving in Carnival in Rio.

[00:07:56] Olga Conto: Imagine, imagine you arrive and you don’t know there’s Carnival. [00:08:00] It’s gonna be a shock, right? So, it’s kind of what happened to me. I arrived in Sevilla, I go to the office, nobody’s there, and I’m like, Okay, so, did I miss something? This is the date, you know, I did say, whatever. Bottom line, right now I don’t remember, but somehow, you know, uh, they, I contacted them, they contacted me, and they’re like, no, we’re here in the Feria, we’re waiting for you, and I’m like, Why are you talking?

[00:08:26] Olga Conto: You know, and it was, again, this amazing experience, you know, that everybody’s,

[00:08:29] Taty Fittipaldi: well, at least you started with the right foot, right?

[00:08:32] Olga Conto: But can you imagine you show up, you know, after, you know, crossing the ocean again, you know, you land in this office and everything is like closed and you’re like, What happened, you know, so I end up in the Feria, you know, this everybody’s dress so elegant, you know, in the customs, you know, dancing and I’m wearing trousers, I’m wearing pants.

[00:08:57] Olga Conto: And, you know, a skirt, a look, and I’m like, [00:09:00] no. They actually took some pictures and I’m the only woman, you know, wearing black pants. Everybody’s wearing these beautiful skirts, you know, with their hairdo. But, bottom line. So welcoming, they’re like, yeah, she’s a foreigner, she just arrived, you know, welcome her, you know, give her food, give her something to drink, show her how to dance, you know, and so yeah, that was the beginning of my experience in Seville.

[00:09:29] Olga Conto: Uh, what else can I tell you? Well, years later, uh, in education, because all of this that I’m saying is basically related to I, I did my master’s in London. And, uh, I love London. It’s the city, I guess, that I, I, I would live there. It’s so easy for me to find myself in London, and it’s an amazing place. Um, and then talking about, you know, the professional life.

[00:09:56] Olga Conto: I did mention, you know, in Seville, you know, it was a, it was a practice, [00:10:00] but I, I have had the opportunity also starting Businesses in two different countries, you know, as an entrepreneur, first in Panama and now here in France, you know, and, uh, yeah, it’s. not necessarily the same thing, but I must say that whatever you have done in the past will help you for whatever comes in your future, right?

[00:10:24] Olga Conto: It’s a little bit of an experience that you hold on to, you know, but yeah, so the experiences in terms of education, professional, and obviously personal. As you were saying at the beginning of your question, it’s like, what do you miss? everything and everybody, because the thing about moving away is that you leave a little bit of your soul and heart, you know, wherever you, you know, you have lived.

[00:10:50] Olga Conto: And, uh, it’s hard, but at the same time, because you have done it before, those friendships and those who are, who are [00:11:00] family or become family. will be there for you forever, you know, and it’s interesting how those friendships, you know, they just stay, you know, and once you see them again, you pick up, you know, just where you left.

[00:11:15] Taty Fittipaldi: That’s so true. That’s something interesting that you’re saying, even if you leave, because this is a common fear that expatriates have. Oh, when I leave, what’s going to happen with, you know, my friendships and the people that I have contact? With those who you really created a strong bond, they stay in your life somehow, right? They stay.

[00:11:35] Olga Conto: They do, but, uh, And again, for that to happen, you have to give them part of you as well. You know, so, uh, I guess what I’m saying also is that at the beginning you’ll be like, no, I, I will not invest, you know, my emotions into these relationships, you know, because I’m only here for a year, three months, I don’t know.

[00:11:57] Olga Conto: But at the same time, if you don’t invest, [00:12:00] you will not gain, you know? So, so it’s the one thing that you give a little, you receive a lot. You know, but, but it’s tough, you know, when, when you leave people and you look at them and you’re like, Oh, I’m hugging you and I don’t know when I will see you again.

[00:12:14] Olga Conto: And it happens, you know, it’s some people you will never see again. So there are others you will just meet all of a sudden you’ll get a phone call from this friend and they’re like, you know what? I’m in your neighborhood. Whatever you’re living now, right? And you’re like, can we come over? You know, I’m here with my wife or my dog or my friends.

[00:12:33] Olga Conto: And you’re like, sure, you know, and then you meet again and it’s just so random to meet these friends that come from the other part of the world that are meeting you in your new hometown. And, uh, that’s, that’s. That’s been saying, but it’s amazing too.

[00:12:48] Taty Fittipaldi: That’s true. That’s true. And my next question is somewhat related. So, in all these places that you’ve been, what would you say was the biggest challenge or a [00:13:00] cultural shock that you had. Tell us a couple of experiences or fun experiences that you might have. Like, this feria example was very cool. It, it was a very cool example.

[00:13:10] Olga Conto: Oh, it was amazing. And I must add, I was very lucky because when tourists come to the feria, they go to the tents. That are built for the tourists, you know, they don’t necessarily visit the tents or are invited into the tents of the people from the city. And I was invited just, you know, it just happened.

[00:13:32] Olga Conto: You know, I wasn’t a tourist really. I was, I was treated as a local because. You know, the people in the office invited me to their tent, you know, so, uh, again, is one of those things that all of a sudden you’re welcoming. Oh, it’s amazing. And you really appreciate it. Uh, in terms of like shocking things, um, let’s just say that one thing I have learned is.

[00:13:55] Olga Conto: Not to assume, because whenever I assume something, it doesn’t [00:14:00] work completely. So, um, I think what I, I, I mentioned it to you the other day, uh, Paris is, is amazing. It’s romantic, but it’s not like in the movies, you know, there are moments, there are moments that it feels like a movie and none of the sudden, you know, the, the smell of something really bad passes by in your leg.

[00:14:25] Olga Conto: My movie moment is over, you know, uh, but

[00:14:30] Taty Fittipaldi: Plus you have to do like regular things. Like you have to go to the grocery. You have to do your laundry, it’s different, right?

[00:14:39] Olga Conto: One thing that I loved in Paris is that I remember my school, because it was the time that I was doing the study abroad. My school was in point A, my home was in point B, literally.

[00:14:51] Olga Conto: Walking at 20 minutes and it was a beautiful walk. It was a beautiful walk and there was a bakery. And one thing you must say is that the French do know how to do [00:15:00] their bread. So usually, I will leave the university, pass by the bakery, like the French people, put the bagel under my arm. The interesting thing is that I will start eating the bagel by the time I come, the baguette, I’m sorry, not the bagel, the baguette, you know, by the time I come home.

[00:15:20] Olga Conto: There’s no baguette. So the movie part is that, yeah, I did have, you know, my friend under my arm. So at the end I just started buying two baguettes, you know, one for the road and one for when I’m actually having dinner, you know, so things like that. Um, but, um, for example, one thing is that, um, I did. I lived and I’m actually a Panamanian citizen.

[00:15:47] Olga Conto: I lived many years in Panama and I am Colombian, as I said, originally. And one thing is that you may say, because we share a history, Colombia and Panama, you [00:16:00] will say, Oh, yeah, they’re very similar. Not at, not at all. You know, the society in Panama, I It is, it’s so, you know, the, the differences are so small, but at the same time, so specific, you know, that, uh, the is is then I guess that, um, when we assume, and we’re not careful.

[00:16:22] Olga Conto: Is that when we may say something that we shouldn’t or be misunderstood very easily, you know, and I’m saying here I have felt because I live in a region that is very close to Switzerland. You know, so you’re like, oh, the Swiss and the French, same. The same, yeah. Not at all. Yeah, and it’s not, yeah. Right, so it is like, and then again, it is like, uh, and you will see it also in your country.

[00:16:50] Olga Conto: Every country has regions. And even in regions, you have the, the villages or the cities, you know, or the countryside and people do, are different.

[00:16:59] Taty Fittipaldi: [00:17:00] Here in the U. S. I see this a lot. It sounds almost like every state is a new country. It’s so different.

[00:17:07] Olga Conto: It is, it is. So again, it’s one of those things that when you say, what have you learned?

[00:17:11] Olga Conto: It’s not that it’s shocking because at the same time, everybody has the right to be their own way. Maybe, maybe the one thing is just to, to be observant.

[00:17:20] Taty Fittipaldi: And open-minded, right? As you said, not assume. And as expatriates, and I talk a lot with the expatriates, we usually assume, right? We say we think that things are, oh, it’s obvious or it is like that. And sometimes it’s, as you said, it’s when we get in trouble!

[00:17:39] Olga Conto: we do, you know, because we, we are film and we make a comment that, you know, that is. Statement like a big statement and all of a sudden it’s like, whoops. And obviously we were not from there. So maybe something that is well known and, uh, is so well known that they don’t even say it because everybody knows it. Right. But you don’t know it. We [00:18:00] were not from there. So all of a sudden you’re stepping where you shouldn’t and you’re like, whoops. You know, so, and this coming from someone that is at the, at the beginning, I’m shy, but then I’m talkative, you know? So, um, but it’s this thing, you know, that. Just, you know, making sure that you have this sensibility, again, not, not talk, you know, talk to people, but it’s actually the other way around, ask questions, you know, and, and what they’re doing, you know, like, for example, something that is very fun, you know, that I find very, very nice, you know, from the Swiss in this region that is close to the Alps, is that as soon as they meet you, they’re like, hi, okay, so Olga, do you ski?

[00:18:42] Olga Conto: And I go like, nope. You know, so the first time I was like, oh, okay, this person loves skiing. And you know what? Everybody in this region loves skiing. So I was like, wow, okay, so either I learn how to ski or actually tell them that I’m a nice cocoa [00:19:00] chocolate body to have, you know, once they come down from the slope, you know, and I can do conversation and still get invited, you know, to their weekend, you know, skiing weekend, even if I don’t ski, you know, so it’s a type of thing, you know, that people are like, okay, okay, you’re fun enough, you know.

[00:19:14] Olga Conto: Welcome you, you know, to our weekend, even if you don’t ski.

[00:19:18] Taty Fittipaldi: So that’s a good take. So I was going to ask you later about how to make friendships and how to make new friends and, you know, how to mingle with locals. It sounds like you’re already giving a tip about that.

[00:19:31] Olga Conto: Well, I guess, uh, one of the things I’m, I’m not a master at all, right.

[00:19:36] Olga Conto: But it’s this thing that, um, I guess if we are open, as you were saying, to learn. We will notice that there are things that are like common in the region that people like to do that people like to enjoy, but I actually think that the key is that you know what you like to do. Like, for example, my latest example is that I like to draw.[00:20:00]

[00:20:00] Olga Conto: And, uh, I finally found a school that is not far away from home. And I actually just, you know, one of my activities, you know, a couple of hours a week is to meet this group to draw, you know, and, uh, I’m still new in the, in the group, so it’s not that I have made friends, but it’s the type of thing that you’re like, okay.

[00:20:21] Olga Conto: It will be such a, it’s going to be a nice group. Why? Because I like to draw.

[00:20:26] Taty Fittipaldi: And people there might have, you know, similar values and similar tastes, etc.

[00:20:31] Olga Conto: Exactly. Exactly. So I’m not joining the group, let’s say to network or make friends, but at the same time, I do know that it’s just going to happen, right?

[00:20:41] Olga Conto: Because we are enjoying this activity together. So at the end of the day, we’re going to have a conversation here and there. We’re going to invite each other for coffee here and there. And then you’re going to meet someone, you know, from the region. So I guess it is, it’s that, you know, it’s not necessarily like me.

[00:20:57] Olga Conto: I find networking extremely hard, you know, [00:21:00] when, when people are like, yeah, let’s go to this event, because it’s a networking event. I’m not good at it. You know, me taking my cars and Pulling myself out to say, hi, you know, talk, talk to me, contact me. You know, maybe it’s really strange, you know, but if we have a, a, a topic in common, it’s fine.

[00:21:16] Olga Conto: You know, we’ll, we’ll find something to talk about it at the end. Oh, Tati, would you like my card? Yes. Why don’t you take my card too? And that flows with me, you know, but the idea of just going to a networking, Yeah…

[00:21:32]

[00:21:32] Taty Fittipaldi: And that’s so interesting. So now that you’re talking a little bit about networking and our talk is converging about work.

[00:21:40] Taty Fittipaldi: Tell us, so you mentioned to me offline that, you had some sort of, a hard time finding the work that you really wanted in France, where you are living right now. And so talk to us a little bit about that and how your current work came to be, how that happened.

[00:21:56] Olga Conto: Well, as you were saying, it took some time, [00:22:00] uh, this time again, it was another experience. He was different, you know, we moved to France. My, my husband is French and, uh, I, when we moved at the beginning, I must say, you know, I, I, we were coming from Panama and, uh, I was thinking that I was going to do a lot of work still with Panama and as time passed by, I had less and less work from Panama and I’m like, okay, I need to find more things to do, you know, other jobs at work maybe.

[00:22:30] Olga Conto: And I started applying, you know, to companies and for the first time, Really in my life, I didn’t get any calls back. And that was very hard. I got extremely unstimulated, not frustrated as you know, isolated. I’m like, what am I going to do? Um, actually the interviews that I had is because friends of friends actually put my CV on top of the list, you know, and I was invited into, into, into interviews, but [00:23:00] as a coach, you know, actually told me at the time, I’m like, look, The job market, usually how it works is that when a position opens, the company will look into the people within the company.

[00:23:12] Olga Conto: And if it’s not within the company, they will look for references from people from the company or the industry. And then at the bottom of the line, is, you know, when you apply online and the reality, my reality is that coming, you know, here, there are many little boxes that do not favor me, right? And when I moved here, my French was not the best level.

[00:23:35] Olga Conto: Uh, I’m an architect, so I still had to homologate, you know, my diplomas. Uh, I was coming from being independent for a few years, you know, in a small We had a few projects, good projects, you know, but if you’re, if they ask me, have you been in charge of a more of a million dollar project? I’ll be like, no, but what about 600?

[00:23:55] Olga Conto: You know, that’s not enough. You see, so it’s the type of things that all of a sudden you’re, you’re not making the, [00:24:00] the, the bracket. And, um, it was frustrated. So for a moment, uh, I was actually thinking, okay, maybe I need to do something else. Then I had the opportunity of other architects, actually for other countries contacted me because they needed support for other projects. So, I did have work, I did have things to do. Um, but I was like thinking, hmm, should I do something else, learn to do something else. And then I had the opportunity to do, um, like a training to create my own company in France. And I, at the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I should have done it because I was like, ugh, you know, I still need to learn more French, blah, blah, blah.

[00:24:43] Olga Conto: But then at the same time, I was coming from being my own boss, you know, obviously with my associate, but it was a small, uh, practice. And I was like, yeah, this is what I have done before, you know, so okay, so it’s going to be another context, you know, but at the same time, it’s kind of just similar. [00:25:00] Yeah. And then at the end of it, just did it.

[00:25:02] Olga Conto: And I was surprised because I really had very good, uh, critiques, you know, and they were, and, and at the end, uh, the people that were doing the advisory and they’re like, yeah, go ahead. You know, why? Why stop? You know, just go ahead, you know, jump and this is actually how, how it started, but I was working from home for the first time, you know, ever.

[00:25:25] Olga Conto: And though I didn’t needed it. I was like, I have, I have had the experience of co works before. So I actually look for a co work that is close to my home, because though I don’t necessarily need it, because I do have a space to work at home, coming back to this idea of getting to know people in the area.

[00:25:48] Olga Conto: I still wanted, you know, to be a member of a co working and I’ve been very lucky, you know, I found a co working that is a great, amazing, people are again, very friendly, very open, a co working ambience [00:26:00] is great because people do different things. So they’re always curious about what you’re doing. You’re curious about what they’re doing.

[00:26:07] Olga Conto: It’s okay to have a conversation, you know, and ask around, you know, how your projects are going or not. Oh, maybe you can Friend of mine in person, you know, so collaboration does occur and I really like that and

[00:26:21] Taty Fittipaldi: That’s a brilliant way to network. That’s awesome. That’s an awesome tip.

[00:26:26] Olga Conto: It comes, it comes naturally, right?

[00:26:28] Olga Conto: It’s not the type of thing that you’re like, God, it’s formal. Yeah. Which is, you know, so, so, so strange. And I must say too, you know, I actually joined a group of professional women. And, uh, which is present in many countries in the world, and they’re present in Switzerland and in France, and it does help, you know, because you, you meet, actually, after all the confinement and everything, we, we continue meeting online, but it’s this feeling of belonging, you know, as a loner as you can be, or me [00:27:00] sometimes, because sometimes, you know, I just don’t want to see anybody.

[00:27:03] Olga Conto: We need people, right? And we like, we need to share.

[00:27:06] Taty Fittipaldi: And it’s interesting that you’re saying that because a lot of expatriates say exactly this, what they miss is the sense of belonging, of finding their group, finding their tribe. So that’s a good tip. So say that again. So you met with a woman’s group, a woman’s network group.

[00:27:22] Olga Conto: Yes, we do. Yes, we do. And it, and it’s great because it’s once a month, but because they’re different. Sections, different groups. I actually meet, uh, let’s say two or three times a month here and there. And, uh, and it’s, it’s great. You do end up again, doing this networking, but in a very soft, passive way, because first you, you participate in meetings, right.

[00:27:44] Olga Conto: And, uh, and then as you become recurrent, because this is the thing, you know, I need, and I have seen it also in the coworking and I have seen it in this group of professional women. Sometimes people come. With this attitude of, hi, my name is this, [00:28:00] I, this is what I do. And somehow they want to sell themselves and they did never come back.

[00:28:05] Olga Conto: So you’re like, Oh, okay. This person maybe was great in so many ways, but we never saw this person again. You know, and then you have the people that maybe are timid. Right, the people that don’t talk as much, but because you have seen them over and over either right or in the meetings and then you become curious about this person and again you start exchanging conversation and questions and uh huh and a lot of the time you’re like Oh, this person is amazing and I really like this person, but it wouldn’t be the one that you will pick, you know, the first day.

[00:28:38] Olga Conto: Yeah, you were not being talkative of that person was not being talkative, but it’s because of the recurrent opportunity of seeing each other again, right? So that’s what it is, you know, with expats, I guess we’re a little bit impatient, you know, we want things to happen fast. Um, uh, and sometimes, you know, we need to give a little bit of time.[00:29:00]

[00:29:00] Olga Conto: You know, even if we’re there for a few months or years. You know,

[00:29:05] Taty Fittipaldi: …this takes time. Yeah, that’s true. It takes time. So, tell me, so you mentioned you had this training to open your company. How did you get your first clients?

[00:29:14] Olga Conto: Well, actually the first client was a friend.

[00:29:19] Taty Fittipaldi: How did that happen? Tell us everything. Tell us everything.

[00:29:23] Olga Conto: So he was a friend. So, um, in, in terms of, of, of, of my studio. So, uh, I’m a, I’m an architect, right? But, uh, with, uh, all the difficulties, let’s say, of architecture, what happens with architecture is architects are very responsible of what they do.

[00:29:40] Olga Conto: Right? So in many countries, there are many restrictions and codes, you know, for who can practice and cannot. Uh, so to keep it easy to, for easy, uh, what I decided was to focus in the advice. consulting, you know, of [00:30:00] projects that do not have to, uh, involve, uh, you know, taking down structures, you know, so that way when those projects do arrive, I’ll just work with other people, you know, to, to, to develop this project.

[00:30:16] Olga Conto: But for the smaller projects that are happen very often, that people actually need advice, you know, what do I do? I just decided, you know, to, to focus into this, into practical solutions. So as I was saying, I have never been working at home before, and I started thinking, and this was before the pandemic, that I was like, there are many people working from home.

[00:30:41] Olga Conto: You know, developing spaces to work at home, productive spaces must be interesting, you know, I have developed, uh, offices. And, uh, so I was like, this is a niche, you know, that I would like to study. And actually started researching about [00:31:00] it. And then the pandemic happened and everybody’s working from home all of a sudden.

[00:31:05] Olga Conto: Right. So I have this very, very good friend of mine, uh, living in the U S. And one day we’re just talking and I’m like, so how are you doing? And she’s like, good, good, good. But I’m working crazy hours. You know, my back hurts. We’re talking and seriously, I wasn’t thinking about what I’m doing. I’m thinking about my friend.

[00:31:25] Olga Conto: So we’re having this conversation. We hang up and then I’m like, I write him a message and I’m like, send me a couple of pictures of your space, you know, to see, you know, what is it that you have done? And maybe I can help. And he’s like, sure. I’m a friend, right? So she sent me these pictures and I’m like, no,

[00:31:48] Olga Conto: So the next thing I realized, right, is that I’m writing a report, I’m making drawings, and I’m like, do this, do that. Follow this link by this thing, da, da, da. And like a [00:32:00] couple of days later, like, really, I have a document? And I’m like, okay. So I did tell her, I’m like, look, I did this. Can I just send it to you, you know, as a formal document, you know, because that as an exercise, and she’s like, sure, she’s my friend, right?

[00:32:16] Olga Conto: She received the document, she calls me. She’s like, this is so good. You know, this is serious. And I’m like, yeah, this is serious. You know, she’s like, so this is really what you’re doing. And I’m like, well, yeah, to say to you what I’m doing, you know, and actually she followed everything that I, that I did, you know, that I suggested, you know, she, she, she, And, um, what was interesting is that a couple of months later I asked her, I was like, so how is your office going?

[00:32:42] Olga Conto: And she goes like, Game changer. And I’m like, okay. Yay. Again, it’s this type of things, you know, that you’re like, you are in the right direction, but selling your services is not [00:33:00] evident. This is not easy. Uh, but then again, if it comes, you know, from the good intention, I do believe that if it comes from the good intention.

[00:33:09] Olga Conto: It will be well received, you know, and this is actually how it started, you know, so since then during confinement, for example, with this group of professional ladies that I was telling you about there at the beginning, everybody’s locked down. What do we do? And I’m like, well, you know, they suggested, you know, to do some webinars.

[00:33:26] Olga Conto: And I was like, yeah, you know, I can actually do some webinar and advising you how to improve your home office. And many people started joining the webinars, you know, even friends of mine, again, you know, because, you know, it was available and, uh, yeah, and it started getting, you know, uh, consultations, you know, related to home office.

[00:33:44] Olga Conto: So that’s great.

[00:33:45] Taty Fittipaldi: So since you’re talking about, giving some tips about home office, can you share some tips with our audience about how home office and how to make it more functional, how to make it better?

[00:33:57] Olga Conto: Sure, sure. I guess the [00:34:00] first thing to say is that your home office is a system.

[00:34:05] Olga Conto: I call it a system and I say system, why? Because there’s time. I know it will sound very philosophical, but at the end of the day, it’s super practical. It’s a space during time that involves you and others, you know? And I say like this because, uh, when you’re working from home, actually your coworkers are the people you cohabit with right and your colleagues are the ones on the other side of the screen. So the relationships are different, you know, so the environment works differently and one of the difficulties is that people are finding it very hard to determine or clarify the boundaries. Yeah, having private, professional life.

[00:34:54] Olga Conto: Uh, but at the same time, if we think about it, this was happening from before, you know, like the [00:35:00] moment we have an email and we have a mobile phone, you know, when you’re with your family, you’re still getting information from work. So, again, things will keep on evolving. This is not the end of it. But we, we, we always need to question ourselves and, you know, what we’re doing, you know, in terms of boundaries and how can we improve them, you know, and one thing that I must say is communication.

[00:35:27] Olga Conto: I know that what I’m saying right now sounds very general, but seriously, that’s what it is. If you tell people your intentions. They will be informed over your planning to do if you have a schedule, a busy schedule and your tell your family members where you’re up to,

[00:35:43] Taty Fittipaldi: this is what’s happening today, or this is what’s happening this week. Absolutely.

[00:35:47] Olga Conto: They will help you. If you don’t tell them what will come in, what will come out. Mom, dad, you know, and it’s like, you know, your parents, it is like all of a sudden, [00:36:00] of course, you know, everybody feels that they need mom and dad and their children or pets or their colleagues or their bosses. So it’s the same, you know, it is like communicate, tell people what you’re planning to do.

[00:36:13] Olga Conto: When are you planning to do it? And number two, You’re ready because this may not happen the way you’re planning. So plan B, plan C and take time in between meetings, take breaks, you know, take care of yourself. Uh, things that, again, they sound so generic, but at the same time is the one thing, you know, that we all forget to do, you know, in the terms of the home office.

[00:36:41] Olga Conto: Yes, I do suggest tables and desk and good lamps, you know, and to have a clean background, you know, to help you with your, uh, video conferences. But at the same time, it’s a lot about, you know, Managing your time, your space and, uh, communicating with people.

[00:36:59] Taty Fittipaldi: Yeah. [00:37:00] Managing people’s expectations. Absolutely.

[00:37:02] Olga Conto: Yeah. Yeah. You, you, we need to see, uh, I, I, you, I say this a lot, but architecture for me is an experience within a space through time, you know, and, and when you see it like that as an event. Then you’re like, okay, you know, it’s, it’s actually more than just tables and chairs. Imagine it’s like a theater, it has a beginning, a climax, you know, an end, you know, it is like an every moment of your, every day of your life is like this and it involves, you know, very material things, but it also involves people more than anything.

[00:37:36] Olga Conto: So that’s the, the important thing to take into consideration.

[00:37:42] Taty Fittipaldi: Absolutely. And one final question about expatriation would be, what did all these experiences in other places around the world teach you?

[00:37:53] Olga Conto: I don’t know. I think, uh, the earth [00:38:00] is so big and rich, you know, that people are in general very nice and kind, uh, that if you are curious enough, and a little bit open and you show them respect people who also respect you and open their home to you or give you a good advice, you know, or a good suggestion.

[00:38:21] Olga Conto: Um, I think, uh, I’m not done in terms of, you know, no matter where I go, maybe even if we stay here forever. Uh, I don’t know. I do feel that the world is my home. That, that is the one thing, you know, my, my, my country will always be in my heart, but at the same time, I, the good thing is that I, I feel like home wherever my bag is, you know, as I say,

[00:38:46] Taty Fittipaldi: It’s where your heart is, right? It’s where you are. It’s, it’s absolutely.

[00:38:50] Olga Conto: You know, and, and being there, you know, it is like, uh, one, one thing I have, and I have seen it because people do have homesick, you know, they suffer the homesickness. [00:39:00] It has happened to me a couple of times, uh, particularly because they’re related, you know, to family losses or moments that are very difficult to, to, to live with.

[00:39:11] Olga Conto: But in the daily basis, I enjoy where I am. And I do think that living abroad is not for everybody, same as home office, you know, maybe home office is not for everybody. So if you’re not What I’m trying to say is be happy where you are, you know, if you’re not happy where you are right now, maybe look for somewhere else, you know, because, uh, if you miss home, go back home.

[00:39:37] Olga Conto: If you want to leave, you know, and experience, you know, another country, go and do it, you know, but I do believe, you know, that the, your, your, uh, sense of, um, I don’t know, your spirit, your, your, how do you, how do I say this? Your motivation should be very clear in that sense. You know, to really appreciate the moment and the present.[00:40:00]

[00:40:00] Taty Fittipaldi: That’s a good tip. I love it. I love it. And I truly believe that too, that, uh, we make our home. There’s, there’s no, you know, specific home. We make our home. It’s where our heart is. And, and sometimes we feel homesick. That’s true. But, our home is where our heart is. Absolutely.

[00:40:20] Taty Fittipaldi: Thank you so much for being here, for sharing your stories, for being so open and giving so many valuable tips to everyone. So I really thank you. I appreciate you.

[00:40:32] Olga Conto: No, no, thank you, Tati, once again, you know, for this opportunity, uh, and I don’t know, it’s, uh, to be an expat is amazing. I do know, as we already said, you know, sometimes, you know, there’s a hard, uh, you know, hard things that we go through, but I don’t know. It’s such an adventure. It’s just an adventure.

[00:40:52] Olga Conto: And I, I do hope, you know, that those who are listening enjoyed our conversation. Thank you so much.

[00:40:59] HIGHLIGHTS

[00:40:59] Taty Fittipaldi: This [00:41:00] brings us to the end of this Leadership Nest episode. I trust you found value in acquiring insights that can elevate your decisions and performance in critical global leadership roles and situations. Stay tuned for a next joy ride with expatriates interview! We promise to surprise you with new stories and concepts to help you learn more about international relocation, acclimation and cultural integrations.

[00:41:26] Taty Fittipaldi: Wherever you are in the globe, this is Taty Fittipaldi wishing you a beautiful day.

[00:41:32] Taty Fittipaldi: If you have any questions, you’d like us to answer in a future episode of this show, just go to speakpipe.com/tatyfittipaldi or click the link in the show notes, to leave us a brief audio message.

[00:41:50] Taty Fittipaldi: Make sure to visit us on our website www.theleadershipnest.com, where you can subscribe to our show anywhere [00:42:00] podcasts are streamed, so you never miss the fun.

[00:42:03] Taty Fittipaldi: While there, if you find value in our show, you can also subscribe to our global leadership weekly newsletter from Coaching Expatriates®, where we deliver bite-sized lessons on global leadership, decision-making, and cultural competence to help you learn how to think, relate and strategize in a whole different way as a global leader.

[00:42:25] Taty Fittipaldi: If you liked our show, you might want to check our online global executive leadership program. A nine week leadership development and learning system, that will help you lead internationally while making financially conscious and impactful business decisions.

[00:42:40] Taty Fittipaldi: Taty Fittipaldi is also available for private coaching. See the websites for more details at www.coachingexpatriates.com/executive-coaching.

[00:42:53] Taty Fittipaldi: Thanks for joining us this week on The Leadership Nest podcast. I trust you found value in acquiring [00:43:00] insights that can elevate your performance in critical global leadership roles and situations.

[00:43:05]