103 and how you conduct yourself. If you are juggling and you drop a ball, there is no one else that can own it but you. This is by no means about pointing fingers and blame, instead, recognising; what occurred outside of the plan, what could have been done differently and what can be learned going forward. Easier said than done when there are emotions and egos in the mix, but it is essential if you wish to move on. Responsibility, failing fast and communication are the ultimate concoction, ensuring a team can operate cohesively and encounter all levels of success and failure together.
Kitchen and connection Who would have thought that a kitchen could cause so much chaos?! A disruptive initiative, but also a crucial source of community, all Design Factories are essentially built around a welcoming and practical kitchen space (with mandatory and complimentary coffee!). At DFM, the kitchen served as the heartbeat of our building, proving pivotal in fostering serendipitous connections and idea exchange. This is where I truly found my feet. The kitchen is so central in the building that regardless of where you are going, you will have to pass by the space, meaning there was always an opportunity for a chance encounter. The smell of cuisines from the other side of the globe wafting around, luring you downstairs for a peek at who was cooking something utterly scrumptious. Another opportunity to connect with someone outside of our team; a student perhaps, cooking lunch with their friends, an industry partner or researcher catching up over coffee.
These shared moments of stillness and connection offered much respite from the regularity of endless meetings and a flooding inbox. Whether we were whipping up a quick salad for lunch or spending a few hours after work baking the famous Finnish korvapuusti (I’ll leave it to you to look that up), coming together over food in such an open and relaxed area allows you to leave insecurities at bay and helped break down many of the formal barriers that often exist in the workplace. The informal space allows colleagues to discuss some of these seemingly ‘uncomfortable’ matters in a space of total safety... and with a bowl of steaming hot soup in front of you!
Everyone has potential Potential is different for everyone, but regardless of what it means to you – leaving assumptions at the front door, being open to the viewpoints or perspectives of others and learning through your peers are all factors in our personal growth. Of all the lessons I have learnt during my time at Design Factory Melbourne, my biggest takeaway is that everyone has potential given the right support and environment, and it is the principles outlined above that enable us to drive meaningful change.