Strategy isn’t optional: Jane Clay’s tactics for better communication and risk-taking

Strategy isn’t optional: Jane Clay’s tactics for better communication and risk-taking

Summary We don’t lose innovation because we lack tools; we lose it when we rush strategy and skip the human conversations that change everything. In this episode of the Courageous Leadership podcast, Jane Clay, Principal and Strategy Director at Gensler London and a globally respected workplace strategist, shares how to use workplace strategy, communication and storytelling to transform projects rather than just deliver them. You’ll hear how Jane: * Treats strategy as “the job before the job” to shape briefs that genuinely support culture, performance and wellbeing. * Diagnoses ambiguous client asks and pattern‑matches cultural, financial and spatial challenges into a clear, living vision. * Uses deep engagement, playful experimentation and thoughtful change management to turn resistance into ownership. This is perfect for architects, designers, workplace strategists and clients who: * Are tired of “safe, normal” projects that deliver average results. * Want better ways to pull clients back from “I want this product” to the deeper why. * Suspect compressing the strategy phase is costing them innovation, trust and real impact. Key insights: * Why admitting “I don’t have all the answers” is a powerful leadership move. * How poor communication and hidden assumptions quietly derail projects. * Practical tactics for designing communication into your process from day one. * What happens when you blow up and repack a brief, and keep strategy alive through delivery . . . . * How story, soul, chaos and personality can be curated to unlock creativity in teams. Chapters: 00:00 – Communication as a core leadership superpower 02:22 – Vulnerability and asking for help in leadership 03:13 – The design strategist’s role as “the job before the job” 04:54 – Continuous learning, unlearning and strategic rethinking 06:22 – Innovation through blowing up and repacking ideas 07:39 – Drawing, storytelling and visual communication in design 10:06 – McCann case study: flexible office, subcultures and narrative 12:15 – Inclusive, story‑driven client engagement 17:13 – Designing process deliberately in creative projects 22:12 – Navigating conflict and resistance through better conversations 30:29 – Setting expectations and aligning assumptions early 33:11 – Curating strategy and trust over long‑term projects 41:33 – Avoiding process‑driven, soulless design 44:21 – Harnessing chaos and personality for innovation 46:04 – Leadership as a blend of strategy, storytelling, chaos and communication Workplace strategy, leadership communication, design process, change management, innovation in architecture, client engagement, narrative‑driven design, future of work, culture‑led projects, creative team leadership. Useful links Gensler Workplace Strategy https://www.gensler.com/research-topic-work-and-the-workplace [https://www.gensler.com/research-topic-work-and-the-workplace] Jane Clay - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-clay-a1b65816/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-clay-a1b65816/]

Caroline Harper on the hard-won lessons for delivering bold new urban regeneration in London

In this episode, Caroline Harper shares her career journey from geography student to urban regeneration leader and managing director at Be First, the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham’s urban regeneration agency. Her dreams of building a city and her determination to end homelessness. Highlighting the importance of persistence, finding allies, strategic thinking, managing expectations, avoiding micro-management at all costs and pursuing open doors - because you don’t know whether you'll get those opportunities again.  Key Topics Career milestones to rise to managing director The role of social value in city planning Building effective public-private partnerships Bringing people with you Innovative approaches to affordable housing Shaping a new part of London Planning long-term in market unpredictability Key Insights Leadership involves empowering teams and trusting professionals. Strategic partnerships are essential for large-scale regeneration. Dealing with market challenges Innovation in housing requires bold policy and financial incentives. Bold urban regeneration needs new business models Resilience and adaptability are key to career success. Chapters 00:00 Humble Beginnings: Career Milestones 06:18 Persistence and Relentlessness in Leadership 12:09 Navigating Academia and Corporate Worlds 19:06 Transitioning to B-First: Building a City 25:05 Leadership Style: Coaching and Directness 32:25 Introduction to B First and Its Unique Model 35:20 Transitioning to a New Business Model 39:56 Dealing with the Current Market Challenges 43:48 Placemaking and Community Engagement 49:08 Industry Insights and Future Changes 55:49 Courage and Risk in Leadership

Why failure is required to progress & how to drive impact with creative strategist Abb-d Taiyo

In this conversation, Tania Ihlenfeld speaks with Abb-d Taiyo, a creative strategist and co-founder of DriftTime, about the complexities of progress, the importance of resilience, and the ethical responsibilities of design.  "Progress is messy. It's painful. It's difficult." We discuss Abb-d’s career twists and turns, from musician to founder of DriftTime, an impact-first design agency. We discuss the challenges of working with clients to create meaningful impact, the need for emotional investment in projects, the significance of building strong client relationships, and why failure is the path to progress.   Abb-d highlights the importance of building trust and credibility in campaigns, as well as the evolution of the Design Declares movement, which aims to address climate emergencies through design. We also explore how to drive impact by diving into some of his most successful campaigns, the challenges of sustainable design, the role of AI in enhancing creative processes, and the need for greater access and recognition within the design industry.  Key insights Progress is inherently messy and requires resilience. Emotional investment in projects is crucial for success. Failure is a necessary part of the creative process. Building trust with clients is essential for impactful work. Design should serve a greater purpose beyond aesthetics. Navigating bureaucracy can hinder project progress. Incremental improvements can lead to significant change. Selecting the right clients is vital for ethical design. Collaboration and partnership enhance project outcomes. Creative expression should not be misrepresented as evidence. Rapid execution of branding and web presence can lead to significant traction. Bringing polarised communities together requires understanding and empathy. Sustainable design education is crucial for the future of the industry. AI can enhance design processes, but should be used intentionally and ethically. Values alignment is key to successful client-agency relationships. True impact metrics should focus on real-world outcomes, not just financial valuations. Difficult conversations are necessary for progress in sustainable design. Resilience and conviction are vital for aspiring change-makers. Chapters 00:00 The Messy Nature of Progress 01:58 The Journey of Abdi Tayo 05:48 Navigating Career Pivots 09:57 The Birth of DriftTime 17:04 Defining Impact and Purpose 24:05 Building Relationships with Clients 30:06 Challenges and Successes in Impact Projects 37:09 Building Trust and Credibility in Campaigns 42:10 The Evolution of Design Declares 46:29 Navigating the Challenges of Sustainable Design 52:15 The Role of AI in Design 56:50 Envisioning Change in the Design Industry 01:07:11 Advice for Aspiring Change-Makers

Courage Shorts #1: Leadership as a journey

Courage Shorts are designed to give you short, sharp courage and inspiration boosts. Because we all need a boat from time to time. Tania Ihlenfeld shares her journey from a shy background to leading large teams and now her own business, emphasising the importance of perspective and leadership evolution. You’ll also hear the mission behind the podcast and hopefully be inspired to engage with the incredible leaders interviewed in the show. Key insights The importance of perspective and inspiration Supporting emerging leaders and creating impact Shyness is not an obstacle. Leadership is a journey of continuous evolution. Inspiring others and creating impact. * Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Courageous Leadership Podcast 01:58 The Mission Behind the Podcast 06:19 Leadership is a journey of continuous evolution.

This is . . . how we inspire courage

By hearing real stories and scenarios of how and when awe-inspiring leaders have applied courage. So we can see what’s possible for ourselves in our specific corner of the built environment. Be inspired to take bold action to move yourself and our industry forward.