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.
Nancy Lan, Managing Director Sydney, Starcom
2021 has been tough, but it has been a year that has yielded more growth and gratitude than I could have ever imagined.
I’ve learnt an extraordinary amount about growth this year. I’ve learnt that it isn’t always about an upward, single directional journey, but it is reflective, it is repetitive, it is collective, and it is uncomfortable. There have been many points in the year where I have been challenged by a difficult decision, tough conversations, and the messiness of human behaviour exasperated by a pandemic - but choosing to actively find growth in these situations has been enlightening and rewarding. As an agency, we have seen growth in almost every aspect of our business: talent growth, client growth, new business growth, and commercial growth. None of it would have been possible if we thought growth was only upwards!
Over the last 12 months, I have also learnt to be deeply grateful. Grateful that we work in an incredibly resilient industry, which has adapted and accelerated with the times. Grateful that I work with a bunch of people who would give AFC Richmond of Ted Lasso fame a run for their team spiritedness (season 2), in how we work for our clients, for each other and for our people. Grateful even for the lockdown, which forced us into a slower, more intimate pace of life. There is much to be grateful for…in the big and the small.
In 2022, I’m looking forward to a myriad of things. I’m looking forward to holding onto the best of what we have learnt over the last 18 months, from greater empathy for the silent mental struggles many face, to the more progressive and adaptive approach to work. My son is starting school, so I am looking forward to seeing his world expand. I’m looking forward to the arts re-emerging from their forced COVID break and taking my daughter to the ballet. I’m looking forward to getting our people together nationally at the People Powered Growth summit where we will collectively work on our people, product and servicing roadmap. I’m looking forward to unleashing the powerhouse team we have at Starcom on any business challenge our clients present us with. I’m looking forward to the lessons of growth and gratitude I will learn in 2022.
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