Marketing is fast-paced – full of bold ideas, tight deadlines, and constant change. But amid the hustle, I’ve learned a powerful truth. The most successful teams aren’t just the ones with the best strategies. They’re the ones where people are safe to be themselves, challenge ideas, and learn from missteps.

I started thinking about authenticity early on in my career – in fact it was in my first job out of university.

I studied Broadcast Journalism, and when I was hired as a traffic and travel presenter, I felt like I was on a direct path to my perfect job. I had dreams of becoming a presenter on morning TV and later a news anchor.

But as I was taking my first steps, some twenty years ago now, someone I looked up to told me that nobody would take me seriously in broadcast news, because I was blond. I realised this career – where my appearance mattered more than my ability – was not for me.

People do their best work when they don’t have to wear a mask. That’s why I encourage everyone on my team to show up as their full, authentic selves. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, analytical or wildly creative, brand new or deeply experienced, your perspective matters.

Authenticity isn’t just good for people; it’s good for business. The best ideas come from diverse voices. The most compelling campaigns are built on real insights and lived experiences. And when people feel seen and respected, they engage more deeply, collaborate more openly, and go further than any top-down directive ever could.

To be creative is to take risks. And that requires trust.

I work hard to build a culture where challenging the status quo isn’t just allowed, it’s expected. Where someone can say, “I think we got this wrong,” without fear of blame. And where mistakes are treated as learning moments, not character flaws.

That doesn’t mean we don’t aim high or hold each other accountable. It means we operate with compassion and curiosity, not judgment. Instead of “Who messed up?” we ask, “What can we learn?”

And we grow faster and stronger because of it.

Marketing is full of instant metrics - clicks, conversions, impressions. But culture? That’s the long game. And I believe, deeply, that good things come to good people.

That’s not just sentimentality. I’ve seen it, time and again: The people who lead with kindness, integrity, and generosity are the ones who earn trust, inspire loyalty, and build networks that last far beyond one campaign.

Being good doesn’t mean being a pushover. It means doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. It means uplifting others, even when no one’s watching.

As a marketing leader, I’ve made it my mission to create the kind of
space where authenticity is celebrated, failure is part of the process,
and being a genuinely good person isn’t seen as soft… but as a
superpower.

I believe marketing leaders have a responsibility, and a unique
opportunity, to model a different kind of success. One built on
authenticity, safety and humanity.

Because when people feel safe to be themselves, unafraid to fail, and
inspired to do good, the work gets better, the team gets stronger, and
the impact goes deeper.

That’s the kind of marketing I want to be known for.