In the ‘Hot seat’ with Anouk Agussol

By Leah Martin

She’s our awesome people and culture expert, people are her passion and it shows.

Find out about the real ‘Sheila’ here…

What’s your name and where are you from?

Anouk. Born in Paris, France. Moved to Melbourne, Australia when I was six and then to the UK 15 years ago!

Three words to describe yourself?

Passionate, easy going, hard working.

What has been your biggest success in your life so far?

Completing my masters whilst being a single mum living in a one bedroom flat (my son had the bed and I had the sofa) and working full time too. And then getting myself out of that debt.

What’s your biggest failure?

Mmm, I don’t see anything as a failure. I don’t regret anything I’ve done (except when I drink too much and suffer from a mega hangover). Everything’s an opportunity for learning.

Probably the answer to “what is my biggest lesson learned” would be “to work in a company where your values are aligned and you can be you”. It’s super shit if that’s not the case and it just isn’t worth it.

If you weren’t doing your job you do today, what would you do?

My job — just for free. Or travelling.

Who would be your mystery dinner guest (dead or alive) & why?

Either Chris Hemsworth so I could be really shallow and stare at him. Or Jesus. I’d ask him to prove his ‘miracles’. Would save me a small fortune in wine for the dinner party!

If you were to win the lottery what would be the FIRST thing you’d do?Transfer money to my parents, my sister, my best friend and book a three month holiday home to Australia.

What’s your favourite book/blog/website to read?

Oh crikey… hbr, first round review, any book on neuroscience and leadership, ted talks. I’m super boring. I love what I do so I love reading about the same stuff!

What’s the silliest thing you have ever done?

I like to think my inner child is often at play and therefore I’m always a bit silly. But probably the stupidest thing I’ve done was moving to UK from Oz with no money. Or quitting my well paid job to start my own business without savings. All works out in the end. I guess “silly” or “stupid” lies in the result. When an otherwise stupid move is successful, it becomes “brave”.

What was the biggest ‘EUREKA’ moment in your life so far?

Im studying a lot of neuroscience at the moment so I’m having A LOT of eureka moments! I’m finally starting to understand ‘why’ we do ‘what’ we do as humans and it’s fascinating. I see the brain at work all around me now! Also helps me deal with my adolescent son.

If you were to die tomorrow, what advice would you leave to the world?

There is no work life balance. There is just life. So you best love your work.

And “You’ll Miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take “

And “You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf”