Our 10QUESTIONS feature asks members of the Freshfield community ten questions about their working life. Featuring client partners, colleagues and FF friends, our guests share some personal stories, views and fresh words of wisdom.

Our latest guest is Eleanor Wood partner at Wilson Mason Architects. With offices in Lancashire and London, Wilson Mason works on major projects in science and research, industrial and manufacturing, healthcare, education, workplace and office, and retail and hospitality.

How do you like to start your working day?

When I get in to the office I always start with coffee and email triage. I then write a list of key things I need to get done that day. I don’t often get all the way through the list but it makes me feel better!

Where and how do you come up with your best ideas?

We work very collaboratively at Wilson Mason and so I often find great ideas are the result of sitting down together as a team and sketching things out. Like a lot of people, I also find inspiration strikes when I’m doing something else – sleeping, driving or in the shower. Actively not thinking about something gives your brain the space it needs to work things out.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Not to make decisions out of fear. I wouldn’t say I’m a risk taker, but I consciously work on not letting fear hold me back, play it safe or take the easy route.

What does leadership mean to you?

I’m a big fan of Brené Brown and I really recommend reading her book Dare to Lead. For me leadership is about getting the best out of people, shaping culture and creating an environment for teams to thrive. Good leadership requires self reflection, clear and honest communication and accountability.

What’s your top tip for achieving a work-life balance?

I find it helpful to think in terms of ‘cadence’ rather than ‘work-life balance’. Cadence puts the focus on creating sustainable rhythms rather than a strict split between work life and home life. Architecture isn’t simply work to me, it is a huge part of my life and identity – but it is important not to let it take over. Creating sustainable rhythms helps me to integrate work life and home life in a positive and productive way, rather than trying to be rigid and compartmentalise things – which I find can be a cause of stress in itself.

My friend Michelle Bondesio wrote a book on this topic called The Cadence Effect and has a podcast called Creating Cadence which I would really recommend.

Which current or historical business figure do you most admire and why?

Alison Brooks, founder and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects. I really admire Alison and have followed her practice since I was a student. Sadly, women at the top are few and far between within the architectural profession. Alison has established a very successful award-winning practice and she is the only architect to have received the RIBA Stirling Prize, Manser Medal and the Stephen Lawrence prize.

I love her approach to urban design and thoughtful residential schemes, but most of all I just really admire how successful she has been. Alison is very involved in architectural education and teaches at a number of schools. I’m sure she is a real inspiration to her students – it is so important for female students to see women succeeding in the profession.

What is your most trusted source of news?

I’m a pretty committed Radio 4 listener, but I also listen to a few podcasts on various topics from politics to health and wellbeing. Workwise, the Architects Journal and Place North West are my go to for industry news.

What is your favourite brand and why?

Community Clothing. I love the clothes but also the mission. 100% made in the UK, they really champion local communities, producers and skilled crafts people. Best of all, they are reasonably priced.

What’s the most recent new skill you have learnt?

I have started knitting. I’m not very good so I’m not sure it counts as having learned a new skill just yet!

We all use them…what management jargon phrase do you use the most?

I think (hope) I’m relatively jargon-free, but I do find myself saying ‘think outside the box’ rather a lot.