The Women Economic Forum (WEF) is a premier global platform that fosters economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and leadership among women worldwide.
Each year, WEF brings together a diverse and dynamic community of women leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and advocates committed to driving positive change and creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
WEF made its Australian debut in September 2024, drawing a crowd of over 200 participants to Melbourne for a two-day summit.
The Australian event was hosted by Dr Sarifa Alonto Younes, whose vision to bring this to Australia was welcomed and supported by a team of speakers on various topics.
At the Forum’s inaugural Australian event in, Robyn Vogels, TEMi Fellow and Founder of Personnel Relocations was asked to speak on ‘global mindset’, was recognised for her contribution to industry, and was presented with an Exceptional Women of Excellence award at the gala dinner.
Robyn has orchestrated the relocations of over 1000 people to Australia since starting her business in 2008 and has a wide and varied client base from a range of industries.
A short extract of her speech capturing key points on global mindset can be read below.
Have you ever played around with Google Earth? Do you know how you can zoom all the way out and then rocket back down? Zoom in to Melbourne.
Did you know that Melbourne has a population of 5.2 million people? But 33% are not born in Australia?
That is, one in every three people who live, work and play here in Melbourne are not born Australian. They most likely speak a second language and are brought up with different values and cultures.
Melbourne, with its one in three migrants…Zoom into your office building, perhaps up there on Collins Street. The managers are mostly Australian. Perhaps the engineers are French or Asian, and the company Headquarters are American. It is a melting pot of diversity, and it is all influencing you.
But just because Mike in Marketing has travelled extensively does not mean that he has a better global mindset than you. A global mindset is NOT a well-stamped passport,
Without leaving your office you are working in a global space without perhaps realising it—or giving it too much attention. THIS is where we need to start!
Are you being authentic in this global space?
A global mindset is a behaviour, a personality, a choice.
So, let’s zoom in even closer to YOU. A unique human being.
You have grown from your values. Who is now influencing you?
How do your surroundings affect your decision making (manager, work culture)?
Is there someone you know who might have an unconscious bias against certain cultures/behaviours/values?
What is your reaction?
People with a global mindset have the habit of being considerate. They put themselves in the other person’s shoes and consider their culture, values and beliefs, background and so on.
A person with a global mindset will question themselves:
Why do they think that way?
What has influenced their decision?
Perhaps they are used to a more doctorate leadership style.
How should I react?
Do I have an unconscious bias?
A global mindset is when you assess your behaviour and choose to work differently based on your awareness of the person in front of you.
We all need to assess the many layers surrounding a person or situation. Dissect it and be impartial. Only then can we can influence to encourage the outcomes we are looking for.
More importantly, we can create a more harmonious world because we understand and accept all the differences without judgment.
There are two ways you can start making a difference.
Question yourself, and listen.
I want you to HEAR.
Ask more questions. You will never insult someone if you ask them to clarify what they mean. “How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Is there a reason you think that?”
Rather than jump to conclusions, LISTEN and ask questions. All too often in life we are formulating answers before the person in front of us has finished speaking. Listen. H-E-A-R.
H for Harmonious
E for Equality
A for Acceptance
R for Relatable
HEAR.
I would like to finish off by adding one more letter: T
T for together.
Together, we can have a ripple effect on a truly harmonious global mindset and community. We can go on to achieve great goals in sustainability, e-commerce, and financial freedom.
Together, we create a heart of understanding one another.
YOU too can make small changes with a ripple effect.
Robyn Vogels is an advocate for migrant wellbeing. She regularly consults, speaks and comments in the media about Moving and settling successfully into Australia.
Robyn is an Author and the Founder of Personnel Relocations and Plan4Australia.
If you would like to connect with Robyn, email [email protected] or reach out via LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robynvogels.
