IWD 2026: Founders in Focus – Emma Serlin, London Speech Workshop

A female business founder who has built her company around authenticity, psychological insight and human connection, Emma is based LABS House, one of our office spaces in London. We sat down with her to discuss her thoughtful perspective on what great leadership — and great workplaces — really look like.

What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that you didn’t expect when you started?

One leadership lesson I didn’t expect was how powerful compassionate self-honesty would be.

During an executive programme at Oxford Saïd, I was pushed to really look “under the bonnet” of my leadership — objectively and without judgement. That shift changed two things: the business grew faster and I enjoyed leading much more.

The second insight was about confidence. Like many women, I realised I was waiting to feel 120% ready before backing myself. Now I work on the 80% rule — if I’m mostly there, I trust I’ll bridge the gap.

The lesson: Self-awareness without self-criticism is a leadership superpower. Compassionate honesty creates clarity, confidence, and growth.

Have you built your company culture differently because of your lived experience?

Yes, very much so.

About eight years ago, I had an important realisation. We were doing work in the world that I deeply believed in — helping people communicate with authenticity and kindness — but I wasn’t sure our internal culture fully reflected those same values. I wanted real integrity between what we taught and how we worked together.

Over the years, I’ve been very intentional about creating that congruence, and I’m really proud of where we are now.

Our culture is built around one central idea: you’re welcome here as a whole person, not just as a role.

That shows up in a few ways, like prioritising belonging over performance, celebrating individuality, and connection rituals like morning huddles and Friday check-outs.
There’s always more to do, but that sense of alignment between our values and our daily experience is something that matters deeply to me.

Do you work differently depending on your environment?

At home, I can get into deep focus and do longer creative work. It’s the best place for things like writing or strategic thinking, although I do have to manage the distractions — the fridge has a very persuasive voice!

The office gives me something different. The energy, the buzz of London, and being face-to-face with my team makes the day faster paced and more dynamic. It’s great for collaboration, quick decisions, problem-solving, and those spontaneous conversations and moments of laughter that really build connection.

Each environment supports a different kind of productivity, and together they create a really healthy rhythm.

Why environment matters

Like Emma, we at LABS believe that the right environment makes all the difference, whether you’re a roaming member or settled into a private office at our serviced offices in Holborn and Camden.

Emma’s story is a compelling reminder of how women in business are redefining what leadership looks like, with self-awareness, warmth and integrity. For female business founders, building teams and cultures from the ground up is about more than growth. It’s about finding new ways to thrive.

International Women’s Day 2026 series

IWD 2026: Founders in Focus
Sarah Fletcher, Grass & Co