Nature of Work Podcast Episode 2: Embracing heart and soul at iconic fashion brand Stella McCartney

July 22, 2021 1:57 pm



Nature is a profound teacher. From the way gardens grow to how species take their rest when needed, there are many lessons deeply rooted in the structures, patterns and behaviours of the natural world from which organizations can learn as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and start to create the new story of work for a living age.

Over the past 18 months, business resilience has really been put to the test as organizations have been forced to adapt quickly to the changing shape and nature of work as a result of COVID-19 – just as plant and animal species adapt to the ever-changing natural environment. The concept of resilience is not about bouncing back but rather about embracing change, reinventing and building back stronger. We can apply this concept to the new world of work.

“Nature is in everything that we do, because that’s how the organization has been set up from grass roots.”

Abigail Wilmore, Chief People Officer, Stella McCartney

In this episode, Nature of Work co-authors, Paul Miller and Shimrit Janes, are joined by Abigail Wilmore, Chief People Office at Stella McCartney, and Lucy Colclough, Founder of Work Wild, who share living examples of how they have reinvented traditional organizational structures to be healthy, living systems, using nature as their guide.

Drawing on the practices of biomimicry that seek to emulate and take inspiration from the power of nature to solve human problems, this episode provides guidance on: the importance of regular pulse checks; the power of introducing a new language of health, rest and growth to coexist with performance and efficiency; and the concept of heart-centred leadership to understand what brings you to life in the workplace, enabling the transformation from organization to organism.



Show notes, links and resources for this episode: 

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Digital Workplace Group (DWG) is a strategic partner, covering all aspects of the evolving digital workplace industry through membership, benchmarking and boutique consultancy services. We provide independent guidance to more than 100 leading corporates and public institutions to advance their intranets and broader digital workplaces through peer learning, impartial evaluations, research and practitioner expertise.