10QUESTIONS with Rizwan Seth

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 Rizwan Seth, managing director at serviced office specialist Wrkspace, who shares his views on leadership, achieving a healthy work/life balance, and more.

1. How do you like to start your working day?

I like to start my working day with a 3km run to help gather my thoughts and devise a plan for the day ahead, I do this without any electronic distractions.

This is usually followed with a latte and a healthy breakfast to set me up for the day ahead.

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

I always keep a notebook with me so I can jot down any ideas that come to mind.

These are usually in the evenings when I am winding down with my family but can come to me at any point in the day.

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

A few years ago, I was told that, in the end, only three things will matter ‘how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of the things not meant for you.’

4. What does leadership mean to you?

Leaders encourage others to take the actions they need to succeed. They lead from the back with the team, while staying focused on the long-term strategy and objective.

Ultimately, leadership is the art of motivating people to achieve a common goal.

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

As we progress in life, it’s important to reflect on your values, what is important in your life and how can you adapt your working commitments to align with those values.

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

Elon Musk has single-handedly changed the automotive industry for the better, making major environmental improvements in the process.

His work ethic seems to promote a positive workplace culture that encourages everyone to put their best foot forward. He is a true visionary with a genius mind and a great risk taker.

7. What is your most trusted source of news?

My most trusted source of news has to be X, it provides me with a live commentary of current events from all around the world.

8. What is your favourite brand and why?

My favourite brand has to be Tesla.

As an early adopter of a Tesla model S, I cannot see myself ever driving anything else. What inspires me most about the brand is that it is constantly daring, imaginative and innovative, and as mentioned before, Musk has done a lot to make the automotive industry more sustainable.

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

I am currently learning Arabic as a language.

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

I tend to use the phrase ‘low hanging fruit’ the most, as there are always quick wins that can produce fast results.