B&T has partnered with Smelly Lunch Stories to amplify stories of culturally diverse talent who have risen to the top. Even though a third of those starting out in the industry are from ethnic minority backgrounds, only 12 per cent rise to the C-Suite, and we hope these stories inspire the next generation.
In this column, Samsung Ads agency lead Julie Attwood shares her Smelly Lunch Story.
1. Tell us about yourself in one sentence.
I love people’s stories, sharing stories and hearing stories of love, courage, happiness, grief and everything in between.
2. What’s the “smelliest” lunch dish you’ll proudly defend forever?
My mum’s epic fish dipping sauce, though extremely delectable and made with love, in an office environment was pungent and turned heads. I learnt eating outside, by a scenic spot on Walsh Bay was the best way to enjoy it.
3. What did your parents actually want you to do when you were growing up…and do they understand what you do now?
I’m lucky that my parents never directed my career in terms of a specific role. Their guidance was more that if I was educated, had a stable job, I’m independent, have a roof over my head and am happy then they’ve done their jobs.
They just wanted a better life for me, better than what they had, having left a war torn country (Vietnam) and coming here with absolutely nothing and starting from scratch. Just that perspective alone, I know I’m winning no matter what life throws at me.
To simply put it, they know I work hard and they know I work in advertising/marketing.
4. Please tell us your Smelly Lunch story.
Growing up in Western Sydney, I was surrounded by a cultural community and people similar to me. As I started adulthood, transitioned into my first role and progressed through life from there, seeing people like me in this industry became more of a rarity.
At first there was immense pressure to “fit in” with an inkling there was something wrong with me. I was the token Asian in my work setting. I never felt seen or heard.
But then I had an incredible transformative event that changed the way I viewed my background and I started to curate my identity.
Rather from a place of lack, my cultural background became a superpower. I became seen by just being me, knowing my uniqueness and my differences are what earns me a place at the table.
I also believe the societal change in celebrating people of diverse backgrounds has enabled me to bring my most fabulous self to work and to life.
5. Was there ever a moment when you felt different or like an outsider because of your cultural or ethnic background? How did that make you feel?
Particularly at the start of my career. There were people from similar backgrounds around but it didn’t feel like a community, partially because we never spoke about things like this, we just got on with it.
People just stayed in their own lane, some out of fear of retribution, for others it was a normal part of life, like water over a duck’s back. I always felt left out and made to feel less than.
No one likes to feel culturally disconnected, dismissed, spoken over, looked over, or feel like there is something wrong with you, especially when you’re just being you and doing the things you grew up doing/eating/enjoying.
I’ve had team members completely disregard my input, and take my silence and time reflecting as disengagement when that is not the case at all. I’ve also felt embarrassed bringing strong smelling foods into the office as team members have complained about the microwave smelling, even with a cover.
As much as these feelings were a result of societal experience, I did find that a portion also sat with me too.
It took a transformative event to change how I felt about myself to see my cultural and ethnic background as a superpower of emotional intelligence and strong people leadership paired with professional expertise, refinement and resilience.
There’s a seat at the table and my unique perspective, talent, skillset and leadership qualities are as welcomed at that seat as any other person.
6. If you were stuck on a desert island, what one piece of media (book, podcast, film, album) would you take with you?
I would take my photo album. My family and friends are everything to me.
7. Who opened a door for you, and who have you opened one for since?
My life coach opened the door for me to a deserving life, helped me tap into my inner being, move in the world from a place of abundance, resourcefulness and resilience that was shaped by my cultural background.
I’ve since created space and invited others to do the same, starting first with hearing people out and helping my colleagues and team members feel seen and heard in the workplace.
8. How does your cultural background influence the way you approach your role?
My cultural background empowers me to lead with strength, emotional depth and intelligence where I am able to see things that others may not.
I’m a highly inquisitive individual that doesn’t take things at face value, looks to problem solve and is resilient.
I lead with emotional intelligence and find being able to understand people and business is a superpower shaped by my emotional background.
9. What advice would you give to someone starting out who feels like they don’t fit in?
Now more established in my career, that’s a nugget of insight I’d like to impart with others who may feel like they don’t fit in, in the workplace.
Know you are more than enough. Don’t wait to be invited. Be empowered to step into the arena and be the invitation. Be that person at the seat and your table of likeminded individuals will come.
You are deserving to be there as much as anyone else.
10. What do you wish more people understood about cultural diversity and why do you believe it’s important in leadership teams?
People of different cultural and diverse cultural backgrounds have different lived experiences, values and perspectives. It’s the benefit of travelling, emotional awareness and open mindedness that is embodied in a being.
Added insights, curiosity, resilience, hard work ethic and opportunity are all beneficial qualities culturally diverse people bring to a business. I can only see positives at a leadership level, plus the world would be an incredibly boring place if we were all in a sea of sameness.
11. What do you wish more people understood about cultural diversity and why do you believe it’s important in leadership teams?
Create an organisational culture where people of various backgrounds and cultures are seen and heard.
Promote, don’t overlook people from diverse cultures. See their difference as a celebration of different perspectives, strength, hard work and resilience. Learn their communication style.
Build out your leadership team to include different ethnic backgrounds, perspectives and voices.
Make your diverse team your agency and business superpower.
Be different in a sea of sameness.
Check out recent Smelly Lunch Stories: Roma Singhal, Pawenah Kaniah, Brendan Willenberg, Berlian Adyuda, Andie Potter, Marcelle Hoyek
If you have a Smelly Lunch Story you would like to share, please email: [email protected]
