Can you tell me one lesson you learned in the last year?

This is a great question and I think I have learnt many things! How we work has changed and I have learnt that this can unlock many more opportunities. Working remotely can be tough, however I have learnt how to make working remotely effective, for me it is about having a dedicated workspace, clear structure, discipline, and some flexibility so I can balance my work and personal life. I have also created some working from home habits which has helped me switch off which included cooking a quick lunch every day and enjoying it away from the office, having short walk breaks in the garden and firmly closing the office door at 5pm each day. I have also started to think about what my next best role within the business would be. When I have previously considered future roles, I have limited myself by location however the last few years has proven that many roles can be done remotely. I have much more confidence looking for potential roles further afield given I have demonstrated I can work remotely effectively, and that Mars are implementing a hybrid work model for many roles. I also started the transition to hybrid working earlier this year. It felt a bit strange to be around lots of people again after spending the best part of 2 years in my home, however it really showed me that nothing can truly replace being present in-person and having informal and social interactions (which are difficult to recreate virtually) is critical in building strong relationships, having fun at work and can lead to great collaborations. I now try and book in as many meetings face to face where possible, especially when I am working with new people where focus and good communication is important.