As the back-to-school season kicks off, BITE asks industry leaders what they are committed to unlearning. Zahra Mair, Operations Director at Forsman & Bodenfors London, is shedding old ways of thinking to make room for something new.

As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisp, the transition from summer to autumn feels like a natural time to reflect and reassess. The summer holiday season brought with it a natural slump in productivity as teams became distracted, counting down the days until they were off, dreaming of recently visited destinations, and for parents, enduring the ever-present hunt for ways to keep children entertained over the school holidays. But it hopefully also brought at least a moment (or two) to rest and recharge.

In agency land, the September ‘back-to-school’ buzz creates a renewed focus to drive things forward to the year’s end. It’s a catalyst for embracing new approaches; strategies, processes, tools, and ways to engage teams and clients. But what if there was a way to boost that momentum even further? What if growth (both personal and professional) wasn’t just about learning new skills to have in the toolkit but also about unlearning; consciously letting go of ingrained beliefs and habits that no longer serve us and replacing them with new ones? A metaphorical ‘spring clean’ (or ‘autumn clean’, in this case).

My own moment of ‘unlearning’ came during a yoga retreat that I went on this summer.

Does that sound like a cliché? Yes. But did I come home rested, limber and with a greater sense of self? Also yes. So, call me a cliché. I loved it.

The week was structured around daily morning and evening yoga practice and meditation, with the remaining time free to rest and explore the island. For me, it was an opportunity to improve my yoga practice and to fully relax and embrace the summer switch off. But as the days progressed, I began to realise that the week was offering more than just the physical practice; it was also creating space for inner reflection, self-exploration, and challenging some unhelpful beliefs.

During group discussions and shared moments of reflection, I began to confront a belief I had held for years: that vulnerability was a sign of weakness, particularly in my role.

As an Operations Director, I have always prided myself on being efficient, direct, and composed. I saw vulnerability or sensitivity as a handicap - something that could make me appear soft or less competent. I believed that showing emotion would undermine the authority I needed to be taken seriously and to lead effectively; a belief that many of us have been taught from a young age.

But the people I met at the retreat challenged that belief in ways I hadn’t expected. As the week progressed, we each began to share stories—of struggles, triumphs, and insecurities we rarely voiced in our professional lives, and what struck me most was the domino effect that was emerging. Each vulnerable moment shared would invite connection. Even those who had initially been a little more closed off had begun to open up and share their stories with the group. This willingness to be vulnerable allowed for genuine connection, both with ourselves and with each other.

And if you’re thinking, “Hold on, wasn’t this a yoga retreat? We can’t be doing that in the workplace,” in some ways, you’d be right. Of course, there are boundaries that are important for nurturing healthy professional relationships at work. But what I realised is, we don’t have to be unemotional in order to remain professional. Sometimes, being open and emotionally present can make us more resilient, more empathetic, and ultimately, more effective leaders. It allows us to show up as our full selves, and in doing so, it encourages others to do the same.

By unlearning the belief that vulnerability is a weakness, I’ve started to lean into my more sensitive and emotionally open side; letting go of a belief that was holding me back and in turn, helping me lead with more compassion and emotional intelligence - qualities that I now see as vital to fostering a strong, cohesive team.

While the yoga retreat was a personal experience, it offers a helpful metaphor for this process and a reminder that sometimes, the fastest growth comes from shedding the old, before embarking on the new. So as we move through this transitional period, I invite you to think about what you might choose to unlearn. What are some habits, behaviours and beliefs that you might choose to let go of? How could letting go of these old ways of thinking help you make space for something new?

At the end of each yoga practice, our teacher would lead in one final closing breath to round out the session. A breath in, acknowledging the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours we want to let go of. A breath out, to let go.

Breathe in. Breathe out.