Recently Michaela Fojtů Andrea Parr Helen Bartlett Argine Pereda Emma McLeod met to reflect on what has inspired us during 2025 and what we have learnt.

Although we have different backgrounds, work in different functions, are from large and small businesses, and in different sectors there were some remarkable similarities in our experiences.  This could be due to a common backdrop of tremendous change and transformation both in the environment that we’re working in and within the individual organisations that are navigating through change. For some of us this has resulted in huge personal growth, as we have dealt with changing roles and supporting others who have gone through restructuring changes. Even if restructuring hasn’t happened, and in companies that may have been insulated in the past, investment has been reduced and the focus on hitting targets has been underlined.

What have we learnt?

1.     To be more patient and resilient
2.     To understand our industry and the environment (in a way that we’ve never had to before)
3.     To be empathetic in tough times. It goes a long way
4.     To clearly prioritize. People don’t have the capacity for change that they used to have.
5.     To focus on what we can control and leave the rest
6.     To refine our stories and communicate with clarity
7.     To persevere to get to our goals
8.     To discover our strengths and the value we bring
9.     To build trust with different stakeholders quickly as work colleagues / roles change
10.  To get better at self-advocacy and take measured risks. Realising risks can be bigger in your mind than they are in reality.

What has inspired / helped us?

1.     Associating with people who have positive mindsets. Having colleagues who are our cheerleaders and me being their cheerleader
2.     Looking for and finding role models who demonstrate these positive behaviours e.g. leaders who really care
3.     Thinking about what I can do better to see a pathway through change
4.     Colleagues seeking my advice helps to feel valued and to keep morale high.
5.     People who listen to me

Thanks to Carina Furlong MCC for the support and inspiration for this article.