WINSight // WIN x Gensler - How To Make Work WIN For You

On Wednesday, 13th November, WIN London partnered with global architecture firm, Gensler for the second time to produce an inspiring in-person event about how to make positive change at work. The event, called How To Make Work Win, aimed to empower women looking to think differently about their careers through five streams, led by six industry-leading speakers.

More than 50 WIN London community members joined us to explore actionable strategies for building resilience, taking the leap of entrepreneurship, embracing co-leadership, wealth building, and reframing work.

Below, we share key takeaways from the event to help you make positive changes in your career and personal growth.

BUILDING RESILIENCE

Sean Tolram, mindfulness program lead at HSBC and founder of My Trained Mind, emphasised the power of mindfulness in building resilience at work. He reminded us that our brains are designed for a world that no longer exists, often reacting to modern stresses with outdated fight-or-flight responses. Sean suggested three key practices to build better mental resilience:

  • Train your brain like a muscle: Incorporate mindfulness techniques such as focused breathing, body scans, and daily gratitude practices to manage stress effectively.

  • Respond, don’t react: Start by noticing how you physically and emotionally respond to stress. Acknowledge your feelings before they take over.

  • Integrate mindfulness into your workday: Take a mindful pause before meetings or between tasks to reset your focus.

STARTING YOUR OWN THING

Stephanie Melodia, an entrepreneur and podcast host, tackled the myths of venturing out on your own. She shared the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for women considering this leap. A notable takeaway from Stephanie’s session was to weigh up the pros and cons of entrepreneurship before you dive in.

Be realistic about challenges like financial uncertainty and workload but embrace the freedom and fulfilment that come with pursuing your passion. She also stressed that you don’t need to change the world with a big idea to start your own company, it can be a small idea that you build on and grow.

EMBRACING CO-LEADERSHIP

Greet and Remy, joint Managing Directors at Future Platforms, delved into the dynamics of co-leadership. Since the pandemic, priorities have shifted and many people want to redefine the parameters of their role. Greet and Remy’s insights into trust, communication, and collaboration offer lessons for any professional relationship.

Here are a few of their key takeaways:

  • Build trust over time: Effective partnerships require candid conversations and mutual respect developed over years.

  • Prevent big blow-ups: Encourage honest, daily dialogue to address small issues before they escalate.

  • Check your ego: Success often comes from focusing on shared goals rather than personal recognition.

REFRAMING YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON WORK

Naomi Sakamoto, a leader and Principal at Gensler, challenged attendees to rethink the purpose of the workplace. She emphasised the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing diverse perspectives to achieve greater innovation.

Naomi encouraged us to:

  • Challenge echo chambers: Surrounding yourself with diverse colleagues can spark creativity and prevent polarised thinking.

  • Tap into intrinsic motivation: Reflect on belonging, autonomy, and competency to reignite your passion for work. Ask yourself: Do I feel like I belong? Do I have autonomy? Do I feel competent?

  • Celebrate disagreement: The most innovative teams thrive on healthy conflict and diverse viewpoints.

INVESTING AND BUILDING WEALTH

Hannah Mayfield, founder of What Is Wealth, explored the broader meaning of wealth and the importance of financial planning. She encouraged women to view wealth through a holistic lens, encompassing time, freedom, and fulfilment.

Key takeaways from Hannah included:

  • Define your wealth: Consider what makes you feel truly wealthy – whether it’s financial stability, time, or freedom to work from anywhere.

  • Take a long-term view: Step back and assess your life from a ‘30,000ft perspective’ to make strategic financial and career decisions.

  • Start small: Familiarise yourself with financial terminology and take incremental steps toward understanding and building wealth.

The event left attendees inspired and equipped with actionable strategies for building a fulfilling and innovative work life. Whether it’s redefining success, embracing collaboration, or fostering resilience, there are clear paths for every woman to take charge of her career.

So, ask yourself: What changes can you make today to redefine your work, your wealth, and your wellbeing? Take inspiration from these powerful insights and start shaping the future you want to see.

What’s your next step? Connect with us on our community Slack channel to keep the conversation going! Reach out to aarti.amalean@womenininnovation.co to learn more.

Written by Kasia Maynard, WIN LDN Research Lead

WIN Women