How I work
Research and analysis
I love work that starts with an interesting question. I set out to understand the question, uncover any assumptions, explore different perspectives, and establish the scope of where we need to go.
“I marvel at your incredibly thoughtful, measured approach, and learn so much from you each time we interact.”
— Senior colleague, Automattic
I am rigorous, thorough and evidence-based in my research - digging into context and expertise, exploring perspectives via interviewing, focus groups and surveys, and analysing data with close attention to detail.
I have a strong instinct for independent research, and if I don't understand something, I will investigate it and learn it. That can mean academic or organisational research, finding and comparing evidence, analysing qualitative information, learning a new digital system, or getting into an unfamiliar subject to share my new understanding with others. I am particularly well suited to complex questions where something needs researching, exploring, explaining or discussing.
“Victoria is very analytical and thorough.”
— Manager, Automattic
I am comfortable working across people, ideas and systems, and I tend to recognise connections across different parts of a system.
“The depth of thought you bring to all of your work and the facility you have with building bridges and recognizing connections across parts of the work make you an outstanding contributor.”
— Manager, Automattic
I love to ask challenging questions to seek clarity, find gaps or blind spots, and check our understanding of the problem we are trying to solve. I also care about creating the psychological safety where open conversation, constructive disagreement, and new ideas can happen.
“She seeks clarity early and often and does not shy away from sharing counter opinions. I have witnessed many team conversations that were positively influenced by Victoria’s ability to push for open dialogue.”
— Colleague, Automattic
I’m equally comfortable with human questions and technical ones. My background includes digital content, web platforms, technology support, organisational systems and learning design, so I tend to move easily between the technical and the human side of a problem.
Communication
Research is only useful if people can understand and use it. I’m comfortable with extended writing, reports and detailed analysis, but I can also distil complex information into concise findings, recommendations, blog posts, teaching materials or presentations.
I enjoy adapting how I communicate according to the audience: whether that means writing for specialists, explaining something to a new arrival, speaking to a room, or facilitating discussion. The ability to learn something unfamiliar and make it understandable has been a recurring theme in feedback about my work.
“If she doesn't know something about a service she is writing content for she will spend her own time researching and learning about that subject until she is fully knowledgeable.”
— Manager, North Yorkshire Council
“Victoria is a brilliant ambassador and advocate of digital technology and trends; she can explain it in simple terms to the digital novice but also add value to those already embracing emerging technology.”
— Colleague
Autonomy and collaboration
I am highly driven and autonomous, and I do some of my best work when I have the freedom to take ownership of a question or project and work things through independently. I don’t need close supervision or a tightly prescribed process, and I am comfortable making decisions and moving work forward.
“You ran a thorough audit/assessment… and then you autonomously implemented a series of changes.”
— Manager, Automattic
That does not mean working in isolation - I value collaboration, understanding different perspectives, testing ideas, and drawing on other people’s expertise. I work best when there is clarity about the goal, trust, and open communication.
“I’ve long felt that I could trust her judgment… She very quickly became an equal partner in the work and not [someone] who required a lot of direction.”
— Manager, Automattic
Facilitation and psychological safety
I enjoy creating safe spaces where people can explore, discuss and learn from each other, with particular experience creating, facilitating and supporting communities of practice.
“Excellent facilitation, realism, and fun.”
— Leadership programme participant, Automattic
I have a particular focus on inclusion and participation, ensuring each voice has the opportunity to be heard, and using technology to make participation easier.
“Victoria cares deeply about the culture of the workplace and about creating an environment where people feel comfortable and inspired to do their best work.”
— Manager, Automattic
Compassionate leadership
As a team lead and people manager, I enjoy combining empathy, compassion and understanding with clarity, rigour and honest feedback.
“She finds a clear balance between coaching [people] for growth while setting clear expectations… and turns [performance management] into practical guidance.”
— Manager, Automattic
“She can accurately review the team members’ performance, and go beyond that; she turns it into practical guidance for them.”
— Manager, Automattic
“Excellent at offering direction that is both pragmatic and understanding. This is a very rare quality.”
— Manager, Automattic
The kind of work that suits me
I am well suited to complex questions where something needs researching, exploring, explaining or discussing before the way forward becomes clear.
My background includes academic research, digital content, web platforms, technology support, organisational systems, leadership development and learning design. I’m interested in the places where those things overlap.
Sometimes the question is already clear, but sometimes part of the work is defining what the question is.
If you have a question or project you think might suit the way I work, get in touch.