Emma Grede

The way we work now actually makes me a little bit sad because I don't think we're having all of the exchanges that are the result of being in a really dynamic environment where you're able to learn from people on the fly and all the time.

We're just simply not as together as we used to be.

Even if we actually work five days a week and in person, there's an element of almost like self-imposed solitude in modern life.

We're not connecting because of social media, because of online shopping, and because you don't even leave your house for food.

So after work drinks goes totally out of the window.

And our personal and professional relationships really are suffering because of it.

It just isn't as much fun.

If you work in a business with other people or you want to build a business of scale someday, the idea that you can do it alone is a joke.

You're not going to get far unless you surround yourself with people because nobody is successful working on their own.

Absolutely nobody.

And my experience tells me that that's a fact.

If you want to lead or be at the decision-making level of any company, together, connected, and in person is the only way.

I honestly just haven't seen it work any other way.

And I promise you, I'm not trying to upset anyone.

I can only tell you what worked for me.

And for the record, I'm not saying that this is the rule for everyone.

But if you're an ambitious little monster like me, if you want to keep moving and progressing, if you want to make a lot of money in your

chosen field and become best in class anything, there is a trade-off and it doesn't include much balance for a period of time.

As I've said, I've never seen it work any other way.

And funnily enough, when men have said the exact same thing out loud, zero comeback.