In this episode, host Hector Kolonas sat down with Anna Squires Levine, President at Industious, to delve into the human-centric business model of coworking, the evolving landscape of the real estate sector, and Anna’s inspiring journey to leadership.
The episode recording followed her impactful keynote at the GWA conference in Chicago, being recorded in the Preferred Office Network lounge at the event.
Here are some key takeaways and notable moments from their engaging discussion:
The Power of Human Connection
Anna Squires Levine emphasized her belief that coworking is fundamentally about humans knowing other humans. She shared an intriguing study from the Journal of Experimental Psychology, highlighting the increased satisfaction commuters felt when encouraged to engage with strangers.
A Non-Traditional Journey
Anna’s career trajectory is anything but linear. From studying organic chemistry in pursuit of curing diseases to working in consulting and NGOs in Africa, her path has been driven by a commitment to leadership and impact. Reflecting on her journey, Anna shared, “I’ve been trying to prove out how leadership impacts people in all these different settings over time.”
Leadership and Compassion
Speaking on leadership, Anna admits it wasn’t an easy road. “My first time managing other people was almost 20 years ago, and it was miserable,” she said candidly. Her advice to aspiring leaders is to balance compassion with high performance, acknowledging the challenges without attempting to make the hard things easy.
“Just keep making the best decisions you can with the information you have.”
Joining the World’s Largest Real Estate Company
Hector and Anna discussed Industrious’s recent integration into the CBRE platform. This acquisition opens up global opportunities for Industrious, leveraging CBRE’s extensive capabilities and providing more resources for continued growth. “It’s a real dream to be part of the CBRE platform,” Anna remarked, expressing excitement about expanding service offerings and coworking spaces worldwide.
Sustainability and Innovation in Coworking
Introducing their new initiative, Indy spaces, Anna explained the goal of creating vibrant coworking environments by upcycling existing office spaces. This approach reduces environmental impact and costs without compromising the workplace experience. You can create unbelievable work experiences without needing to start from scratch every time.
Looking Ahead
Anna remains optimistic about the future of coworking and the value it brings to landlords and communities. She addressed misconceptions about the coworking business model, emphasizing the broader impact of increased human interaction, lead generation for landlords, and enhanced building experiences.
This conversation with Anna Squires Levine was a testament to her innovative spirit and dedication to human connection in the world of coworking. Her insights into leadership, growth, and sustainability offer valuable lessons for businesses across industries. As Industrious continues to expand globally, it’s clear that Anna’s vision for a more connected and community-driven workplace is only just beginning to unfold.