Last Friday, on 26th September, our Careerships Alumni gathered at The Ned, one of London’s most iconic members’ clubs. A former bank reimagined into a space where history, style, and energy collide...it became more than just our venue. It became an environment designed to spark purposeful discussion.
The idea that environments shape the quality of our conversations is what I call The NED Factor.
The Ned itself is the perfect example: its marble columns, buzzing lounges, and sense of exclusivity elevate the way people show up.
Step into a setting like this and ambition sharpens. You can almost hear new ideas forming in the background.
But here’s the key: The NED Factor isn’t confined to luxury members’ clubs. It’s a principle that applies everywhere, in how we design spaces for reflection, team conversations, family planning, and future strategy.
So why The Ned? Why not a hotel conference room or a co-working hub?
Because the environment does part of the work for us.
At our alumni event, this meant conversations weren’t just networking, they were purposeful exchanges elevated by the setting. Imagine introducing yourself not against a blank Zoom wall, but in a room whispering history and style.
That’s The NED Factor at work.
Leaders can create their own NED moments by deliberately choosing environments that change the tone:
Environment signals intention. By gathering at The Ned, we sent a clear message: this conversation matters, this future matters.
When I teach vision boards, I emphasise something often overlooked: the environment you create for the exercise.
It’s not just about cutting images and writing words. It’s about where you do it.
Same person, same exercise, but the outcome shifts depending on the setting.
For readers, the invitation is simple: what are your “vision board environments”?
And as leaders, have you thought about creating such spaces for your teams? One environment for bold innovation. Another for reconnecting with core values. Another for integrating ideas into daily execution.
The practice of vision boards isn’t just about imagery. It’s about deliberately choosing where you think about the future.
That’s The NED Factor, applied at a deeply personal level.
The NED Factor is not about luxury, it’s about intentionality.
When you control the environment, you influence the quality of the conversation. And that is leadership.
The café you sit in, the office you commute to, the bench where you pause to reflect, they all shape how you think, behave, and connect.
The power of place is that it cues possibility. It shifts tone, posture, and quality of ideas.
The NED Factor reminds us that where we talk is as important as what we talk about.
Because the right environment doesn’t just frame a conversation, it transforms it.
Want to make sure your next moves are in place?
Reach out to me, and let’s ensure your career continues to progress.
Book in via info@careerships.com for a free 30-minute Zoom call to learn how we’ll clear your path to success.
Richard
CEO & Career Coach | Careerships
Careerships help professionals across 31 countries make substantial changes in their careers and lives.
Using our unique blend of international experience, passion, AI, commitment, and an ability to understand how to progress, we have maintained our 100% success record for our client partners, and it is our mission to keep this intact.
