A Unique Safari: Embracing the New

A couple of weeks back, I put the Unilever pen down to pick up a new pencil to start writing the first sentences of the next chapter of my professional life.

I joined Unilever with the promise of working with smart, driven and kind people. And I joined for the excitement of working in a business with brands that create an impact in people’s everyday life. Nothing short of that promise is what I have experienced. And more… on the back of Unilever’s mission of ‘Making Sustainable Living Common Place’, I had the chance to discover what my purpose is:?Unleashing Potential, to create a lasting positive impact on lives and livelihoods.

FROM ONE ADVENTURE

I seldom felt that working for Unilever was a job. It rather felt as an adventurous ‘safari’ with countless opportunities. Sometimes it was hard work, but most of the time it was meaningful, inspirational and fun. Ten months ago, I began intense preparation to potentially go on a new adventurous safari as ‘Chief HR Officer, Unilever’.?For long I was not sure if I wanted to live the life of a CHRO for a 50+ billion company. When I realised it would be a true adventure, I gave it a try, and was put in the mix.

Before entering the process, I made a big commitment to myself. This adventure will either last for 5 years, and then I will explore something new - or - this adventure will be short lived, and then I will also explore something new. The latter turned out to be the case. And so here I am. Ready to explore. Embracing the new.

I learnt a lot the last months. Especially how your purpose, and a mind-set of not aiming for a specific job but for impact, can serve as your North Star. A strong guide to 1) be ready to create the impact in the role, when you are selected but 2) also a strong guide to be ready to create the same impact but in a different way when you are not selected. The end game is the same. At a later stage I’ll capture my insights and will share them. For now, I want to wish all of my great, driven, innovative, and purposeful HR colleagues and Unilever colleagues the best of luck for themselves and for the next stage of Unilever’s long-lasting, successful journey.

TO THE NEXT ADVENTURE

For me, this means I will?embark on my next adventure;?taking along everything I have learnt during 20 years at Unilever. For sure, I will also use the energy of my, probably, only real regret I have: the wish to have worked harder on making sustainable living common place.?

As the climate crisis unfolds and new technologies drive exponential change, we are entering an era where we as humans need to rediscover that we are part of nature, that we need to reconnect to it and understand our role in it. Businesses need to stop depleting resources and move beyond sustainable business models, to accelerate the innovation for regenerative business models. Business models that do not only do no harm to the planet, but actually go a step further and support restoration of nature.?

This is no different to how people relate to the workplace, and where we are entering an era of a complete rethink of what work is. Where we give people equal and equitable opportunities. Where we move from working to make living, to purposeful work and much beyond: work that truly makes you thrive -mentally and physically - to unleash untapped potential.

THREE NEW LEARNING “SAFARIS”

With this in mind I step into this next phase. What I know now,?are the 3?spaces which hold importance to me in some shape or form, and which I will explore in “safaris”?over the coming months.?

The first endevor will be a Digital?HR ‘safari’, meeting start-ups and deep experts to understand and research what technology will contribute to the Future of Work and will make work more impactful. The second endeavor will be a ‘safari’ to understand and research which regenerative business models will strengthen biodiversity, nature and communities. Part of it will be engaging in a lived experience by setting up a Food Forest (… any suggestions and guidance on this are welcomed!).?

But first, to detox my mind and refresh my soul, I will start a 2500km long cycling trip from Rotterdam to the South of Spain. Whilst doing so, I will take the opportunity to raise money for a brilliant cause: the World Bicycle Relief (I share the link here in case you are able to support and/or would simply like to learn more!?https://join.worldbicyclerelief.org/JeroenWels/challenge ).

What I don’t yet know?is where this will take me, how?my view?may?evolve?as I go, and how this will shape the next chapter of my career. But, what I do know is that I will continue to follow my purpose to Unleash Potential, and create the impact I want to make: making HR a driver for positive social impact in a business that helps to regenerates nature. I realise I’m fortunate to take this space and time to explore, and see what unfolds.?

BIG THANK YOU TO #UNIQUELY UNILEVER?

My time with Unilever has been quite a ‘safari’, and indeed, #UniquelyUnilever. A big thank you to all who have crossed my path and have been part of it.?As I go on my next safari, I invite you on that journey as I plan to share my reflections, insights, and??even may ask?your help about?what?I?come across along the way.?

Jeroen

Rotterdam/London, April 2022?