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.
This article first appeared in the November-December 2021 AdNews magazine.
Virginia Hyland, CEO, Havas Media Group Australia:
I feel numb, what happened to our world this year?
My head is still spinning after the most unfathomable year that 2021 was. There was excitement, happiness in building team momentum and then the horrors of COVID-19 all over again. I’ve not allowed myself to stop, to process all that happened. The focus this year was to keep my team uplifted, motivated and working towards the light at the end of the tunnel. The energy needed to be garnered every day is significant.
Those that haven’t spent a lot of time in our industry were more challenged to realise how brilliant, fun, creative and unique the land of media truly is. It is unlike any other industry and no two days are the same, we are at the forefront of innovation, technology and have great breadth of understanding across many industries. One minute we’re working in food, travel, fashion, and the next automotive, e-commerce, retail. This excitement dissipated into the isolation of our four walls.
The challenge we need to answer is to bring back the fun and excitement in 2022 that COVID-19 has stripped away.
What I learnt in 2021 is to make it count, focus on today, we don’t know what tomorrow looks like. So don’t procrastinate. Make today count. Energy and time are gifts that should be bestowed on those that will reciprocate.
This year it was reinforced how critical it is to support and appreciate talented team mates. Ultimately if we don’t link arms in the toughest years ever experienced, then we won’t make it out the other side. Loyalty may have been a lost value, now it is worth its weight in gold. I’m focusing on people who genuinely want to make a difference and support their teammates around them. I’m cherishing the value of loyalty.
My team has experienced fragility this year and what has shone through is that it’s the people you can trust, rely on and depend upon which has the most impact on how you rise in the toughest times. Otherwise agencies become empty shells. Where lockdowns oppress and the suffering means that people lose their perspective. We have all had challenging days. What has carried us through is colleagues being super kind, to lift us up through our day, week, year.
My personal commitment is that I will live in the now in 2022. It will be a year where we build fun experiences together, closely collaborating as a team with our clients to re-energise the opportunity for all of us ahead. We will trip more lightly through the year remembering that the most difficult times are behind us. We will work hard with grit and determination because we know what we can overcome so much more than ever imagined. But we will support flexibility, working from anywhere at times to balance adventure and work more evenly. We will be merry, and truly appreciate the people around us who make a difference.
I will focus on the things at that matter — putting my heart and soul on the line every day as to how I show up in people lives to help them grow. Focusing my energy on people who care, people who are determined to make a difference and are willing to support the team. Clients who appreciate our guidance and leadership to help drive growth for their business. This is where our energy makes a difference, this is where I will focus.
My mantra will be to focus on today, give it everything and celebrate as a team, in the moment.
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.