What does it mean to truly show up—at work, in life, and for the people around us? That’s the question Helena Guardans left us pondering after her inspiring talk at Hubtype’s 2024 Autumn Offsite in Barcelona.
Helena isn’t just a celebrated business leader—she’s a force of nature in the world of equity and inclusion. As the president of Concentrix Spain (formerly Webhelp) and a champion for building resilient teams, she’s spent decades rethinking how businesses approach diversity, balance, and leadership. Her insights didn’t come from a manual—they’re the hard-won lessons of someone who’s lived it.
Diversity that goes beyond the buzzwords
Helena kicked things off by flipping the script on diversity. Forget checkbox initiatives—she’s all about building teams that are stronger, smarter, and more empathetic because they bring different perspectives to the table. “Diversity drives innovation,” she told us. And honestly, who doesn’t want more of that? It hit home for us at Hubtype, where we see daily how different ideas fuel better solutions for our customers.
Work-life balance: more than just a nice idea
“Your colleagues aren’t your family,” Guardans told us with unflinching honesty.
It was a bold statement for a team celebrating camaraderie—unapologetic and stark. But that’s what made it hit so hard—it’s true. The support you need from family and how you show up for them fundamentally differ from what you can expect in the workplace. And that’s okay.
Helena’s perspective on work-life balance was a revelation for many of us. She described it as a “reciprocal relationship”—when things are going well at work, it lifts your personal life, and when your personal life feels full, it fuels your professional success. It sounds simple, right? But in a world where Slack notifications and late-night emails seem never-ending, it’s a balance that’s easy to lose.
Her advice was refreshingly straightforward: “Be fully present.” In other words, when you’re at work, focus on work; when you’re at home, be at home. Put down your phone. Stop multitasking. Show up where you are, fully and authentically. It’s the kind of practical wisdom that’s easy to overlook but makes all the difference—whether you’re leading a team, solving a problem, or just spending time with loved ones. For many of us, it felt like the wake-up call we didn’t know we needed.
Women in the workplace: speaking up and being heard
Helena didn’t shy away from the hard stuff. She spoke openly about the hurdles women still face in the workplace—like being interrupted more often or having to fight harder for recognition. Her advice? Advocate for yourself. Speak up. Make your ideas impossible to ignore.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honour
“Burnout doesn’t have to be the price of success,” said Guardans. She shared how she implemented boundaries in her own company, like limiting after-hours emails, to protect her team’s well-being. The takeaway? Hustle culture might look good on Instagram, but in real life, it’s boundaries that keep us thriving.
Life lessons from home to the boardroom
Helena wrapped things up with some wisdom from her book, Todo lo que aprendí de mis hijos (y no me enseñaron en la escuela de negocios). She shared how parenting taught her empathy, patience, and resilience—the same skills that make her a great leader. Her message was clear: You don’t need to be a superwoman to succeed. Success is knowing when to say “enough,” showing up authentically, and making space for what really matters.
Why It hit home for us
The buzz after Helena’s talk was real. In our Offsite Survey, it was called “inspiring,” “thought-provoking,” and a session that “stuck with me long after it ended.” Her ideas about equity, inclusion, and balance didn’t just align with our values—they gave us a roadmap for living them every day.
At Hubtype, we’re in the business of making customer experiences more human in a digital-first world. That mission isn’t just about the tools we build—it’s about how we work together. Helena’s insights reminded us that creating space for diverse voices, setting clear boundaries, and showing up authentically isn’t just suitable for individuals—it’s essential for innovation. After all, how can we bring meaningful human experiences to the digital realm if we aren’t living them ourselves?
Helena reminded us that showing up—fully present, fully human—is how we create teams that innovate, workplaces that thrive, and lives that feel full. And isn’t that what it’s all about? At Hubtype, we think so. And thanks to Helena’s inspiration, we’re more committed than ever to making it happen.
