Strands of Genius: Nassia Karanikoli + Workplace Equity Trends Report 2023
featuring: an interview with our guest editor and a research report
Welcome to the Bonus edition of Strands of Genius! On Fridays, we’ll be publishing interviews from our guest editors, and sharing a research report. Thanks for being along for the ride. Oh and by the way, you look great today :)
:: STEAL THIS THINKING | RESEARCH REPORT ::
While adapting to the aftermath of pandemic disruptions, the reshuffling of the workforce during the Great Resignation, widening pay gaps, and the continued social justice movement, the pressure has not abated for companies to deliver on promises to build diverse and equitable workplaces. Indeed, the pressure is only ramping up further as companies face mounting demands from all sides to achieve progress on diversity, pay equity, and transparency.
:: DIVE IN | THE INTERVIEW ::
NASSIA KARANIKOLI, STRATEGIC PLANNING DIRECTOR
>> Nassia Karanikoli guest curated Strands on September 21st, 2023. Read it here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what keeps you busy. How did you end up doing what you’re doing today?
Till recently I thought I was driven by my love for branding. Only recently did I realise that I am driven by my love for people. I get more excited about the mechanics of teams working together rather than the mechanics of media working together.
What excites you most about what you do?
I really enjoy the uneasiness that more often than not, find myself into when working on projects. Clients, categories, teams to work with, ways to work with. Never allow you to settle down. I also, from time to time, indulge in the idea that some of the things I do are doing good to some people. But I know it is self-indulgence. In the end of the day, being a strategist is mostly an ego-centric occupation.
What beliefs define your approach to work? How would you define your leadership style?
I am striving with the notion of ambition. You see, you get bombarded with all these award-winning ideas, but this is the cherry on the cake. The vast majority of the work agencies deliver is just average. How do you show up at work knowing you are not going to work for an award for the next couple of weeks? What I aim for at work is to be useful. No matter what – consumer insight, strategic thinking, reframing a problem, balancing tensions. No matter who – to my team, to my company, to the client, to consumers. When it comes to leading people, my first care is to make them feel comfortable and find their place in the system (mothering type perhaps?). Then it’s about passing the knowledge. Life knowledge. Not only work knowledge. I would love to be considered a mentor. But it feels like a hybris to even use this particular word. For the time being, I just try to inspire people to be better, to interact better, to live better and ultimately to work better. Cannot really set these apart.
What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on and why?
It has been last year. A new service for people with hearing difficulties. The client only wanted to announce the new service via a press release. But we (as a team) were hungry for meaning. We seized the opportunity and created an (award-winning) campaign that we are proud of. Amazing what purpose can do towards creating drive, excitement and companionship to a team.
We are big believers in diversity -- Not only because we believe in equality, but because we also think it’s better for business. How do you frame these kinds of conversations, both internally and with clients? Is there an emphasis on action, or are the conversations really more about communication?
My feeling is that conversations are about communication backed up with action. In some cases because of fear of social washing and in other cases because of genuine interest in making a difference. I don’t really know which group is the biggest. And maybe it is not that important, after all. It is a good thing that DEI topics become part of the everyday and the pop agenda and even better that there is action taken and not just words.
Switching gears a bit, how do you find time to balance personal interests with your career? Do you believe work/life balance is possible? Anything you’ve implemented that you recommend that others try?
Painpoint! Painpoint!
Keep trying different things over the years.
Not in a good balance at the moment but last time the balance was good, I was waking up an hour earlier and hit the office before anyone else. Amazing what some peace and quiet can do to having a more conscious day. At the moment, I feel like running behind my calendar with minimal deep work done most of the days. But, to answer your question, yes work/life balance is possible. After a couple of years experimenting with the deep work planning of Cal Newport, I have recently stumbled upon this thing called "slow work" the other day. I am thinking of giving it a try.
The most important thing is to keep remembering that there actually are different things that you need to balance.
What’s your media diet? Where do you find inspiration?
For inspiration I love anything that blurs the lines between work and life: Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, Alex Morris, James Clear, Cal Newport, Ether Perel, Standford University Psychology Podcasts, Account Planning Group UK.
What’s the best piece of advice/knowledge you’ve stolen, and who/where’d you steal it from?
“You can. You should. And if you start you will.”
I cannot remember from which I have stolen it. Maybe it was James Clear in the Atomic Habit.
But this quote has the power to soothe the beast of my insecurity and procrastination. It applies to all things including work and life.
You can keep in touch with Nassia on LinkedIn.
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rockON,
faris & rosie & ashley | your friends over at geniussteals.co
@faris is always tweeting
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@ashley also writes for deaf, tattooed & employed