AdNews is following the WFH Diaries with a series of Perspectives, asking two questions: What did you learn in 2021 and what are you looking forward to in 2022? We've also encouraged the industry to glam, dress for the best, and face next year with optimism.
Laura Nice, Co-CEO – OMD Australia
I believe it’s important that we all take some time to stop and reflect on 2021. It has been such a rich year for learning, not only from a career perspective but also from a family and personal perspective. 2021 was the year that we all had to adapt to uncertainty and get comfortable with our own version of the new normal. We needed more patience, more empathy and we needed to listen more – to our clients, to our people and our families.
My reflections proved I am terrible at home schooling. On the flipside, I learnt that my seven-year-old daughter is independent, hardworking and patient whilst my four-year-old son is less so! I also learnt I am more resilient than I thought and, whilst 2021 threw up some tough times for me, I used them as an opportunity to grow and to think about what I wanted next for myself and my family. I believe 2021 made me stronger and more focused on what was important, whether it is the friends I spent time with, taking time out for a daily walk to reset and feel re-energised, or the career direction I went onto next.
Whilst it’s not been the year I could have predicted (seriously, who could), I leave it feeling fulfilled and excited about the future.
This brings me onto 2022, and I’m most looking forward to getting stuck into the new co-CEO role with my partner in crime, Sian Whitnall. OMD is an incredible agency with long-standing success and a history of promoting talent from within, we don’t intend to change that. We are looking forward to building the next chapter for OMD, whilst taking OMDers on the journey with us to build it together. Instead of focusing on ‘The Great Resignation’, we’re going to take the opportunity to flip it and focus on ‘The Great Return’. So, bring it on 2022!
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.