Simon Fairbanks: When Emails Go Wild

Simon Fairbanks (UniTasterDays) shared a cringe-worthy story where an email intended for 300 prospective students accidentally reached 53,000! But instead of panic spiraling out of control, Simon showed us:

• How quickly alerting leadership can turn disaster into calm.
• The power of his mantra: Grip yourself, grip your team, grip your task.
• Why keeping perspective matters, mistakes rarely spell disaster.

His team’s calm response and supportive leadership turned potential chaos into an inspiring example of effective problem-solving.

Emanuel Díaz: The Sensitivity Slip-Up

Emanuel (Ema) Díaz (IE University) revealed how a beautifully made graduation video accidentally portrayed outdated gender stereotypes. Key takeaways from Emanuel’s experience include:

• Diversity checks matter: A sensitivity committee now helps ensure content is inclusive.
• Creativity needs balance: Always pair bold ideas with careful strategic review.
• Team growth: Embracing feedback—even when it’s tough—is crucial for growth.

Emanuel’s story reminds us that creativity needs diverse input to truly thrive.

Simon & Emanuel: Perfectly Different

The duo also shared how their opposite working styles made their partnership stronger:

• Simon loves structured planning; Emanuel thrives under creative pressure.
• Trusting each other’s strengths created amazing results and memorable presentations.

• Supportive leadership can transform mistakes into growth opportunities.
• Communicate quickly and calmly when things go wrong.
• Diverse teams mean better, more thoughtful creativity.
• Balance is key: Different approaches can lead to great outcomes.