One of &us: Rosie O’Sullivan, Senior Strategist

What’s your work background?

I grew into it! School-wise I did a brief year at medical school and then switched to a degree in drama. I then started the working bit of my life as a secondary school science teacher, and after a few years found my way to innovation and strategy where I’ve been ever since.

Why did you choose to come and work for &us?

I came for the adventure of joining a growth company, but stayed for the people. They are great.

What does your morning routine look like?

Mornings are my favourite time of the day. I like to do something active before work so I’m usually up by 6.30am… somewhere outside ideally!

What does an average working day have in store for you?

There is no real average day! Although in this (no longer new) remote world we live in, it usually involves a good dose of Miro and a fair bit of Zoom. The ‘average days’ I like best are ones with lots of collaboration — where the good stuff is happening in front of you.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The people I work with. Like I said, they’re great!

How has your work day changed in the last year: What new things will you be keeping? And what can’t you wait to go back to?

In the past year I’ve become a big fan of remote working. It didn’t happen overnight. Like everyone else I had to learn how I worked best on my own — I now know the value of changing my scenery! It’s happening slowly, but I can’t wait for more regular in-person working sessions with clients. They are fun, they get you away from your laptop, and it’s the place where you build real & meaningful relationships that last.

Predictions for the next year? What will clients want most of in the next 12–24 months?

I was actually talking about this with a client recently after a virtual workshop we were in. Being remote now forces us to be a lot more human with each other — we see children walking into home offices crying, dogs barking, and WiFi breaking. We’ve come to accept each other’s home reality as a part of everyday life, and appreciate the job we’re all doing on top of these extra things going on. There’s a need to be uber-human to complement this virtual world. How can our clients be more human with us? How can they teach their employees to be more human with each other? And how can they extend this human-ness to their customers, to build emotional connections which transcend the virtual world we live in today.

What is the most random thing on your desk?

Right now I’m on a train, so I’m gonna say the soon-to-be-empty pack of sushi.

Who was your last email from?

I just signed up to a non-profit newsletter called 80,000 Hours, which shares research to help you use your job to solve the world’s most pressing problems. The last four or five before then were all fashion and fast-food related (my two secret loves.)

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Stay in the present, it’s the only real thing. Oh, and always do your best.

What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?

Someone bought me a dog costume when I was very very small, and this heavily shaped my childhood aspirations. They went from wanting to be an actual dog, to being a person that trains dogs to do tricks, to being a vet. None of them materialized. Woof.

How do you relax outside of work?

I like lots of walking, I try to do yoga, and I binge TV. I am absolutely obsessed with a game called Cubirds.

What would be your super power if you had one?

Burning pizza.

Originally published at https://andus.co on July 4, 2022.