Organisational Culture and Leadership: Synthosys' Dynamic Start to 2025
- synthosysltd
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
From intimate community events to insight-led articles and exploratory moments in the tech sector, the last two months have reflected Synthosys’ mission to nurture organisational culture and leadership with depth, purpose, and awareness.
Personal Touch: A February of Priorities and Presence
February wasn’t only about outward activity. Behind the scenes, it was a month of realignment and renewal. With several major projects in motion, the Synthosys team took a moment to pause, reshuffle priorities, and reconnect. Among the highlights was a joyful visit from Vanessa’s brother—his first time in the UK—a warm reminder that leadership also starts at home.
At Synthosys, we believe that leaders who live fully, lead fully.
A Homecoming in London: Strengthening Roots with Transiti
In March, Synthosys took part in a series of meaningful events in London organised by Transiti—a unique cooperative that blends psychological expertise, technological innovation, and social values to support Italians living abroad. With a dual identity as both an ethical tech start-up and a social enterprise, Transiti is dedicated to promoting psychological well-being and research for the Italian expat community.
Dr Vanessa Pozzali, a long-time collaborator of Transiti, co-conducted a session alongside Italian researchers based in London, opening up conversations around cultural belonging, the joy and complexity of holding multiple identities, and what it means to integrate new cultures without losing one’s roots.
Together with fellow psychologists, academics, and cultural advocates, Vanessa also explored the mental health challenges faced by expat researchers, the evolving sense of identity in mobility, and engaged in reflective spaces on grief and transition—including leading the group’s first Death Café, a deeply moving discussion on loss.
More than a contribution, these events marked the beginning of a potential partnership between Synthosys and Transiti, opening new paths for integrating psychological care with organisational culture and leadership across international and transitional contexts.
This wasn’t just about community—it was a living example of how our roots and our reach grow stronger together.
Have a look at Tarek’s reflection on the experience here, where he explores the emotional and leadership dimensions of this meaningful exchange.
Tech Show London: Listening Beneath the Buzz
In March, Synthosys explored the massive Tech Show London, not to present, but to listen, observe, and ask better questions. What we found was revealing.
Rather than seeing tech as a purely innovation-driven sector, we encountered signs of cultural strain—overstretched teams, lack of inclusion, and emotional disconnection in leadership pipelines. It was a powerful reminder that organisational culture and leadership must evolve hand-in-hand with technological innovation.
Dr Vanessa Pozzali also shared reflections under the Women in Tech theme, highlighting the unseen labour of emotional attunement and inclusion often shouldered by women. From unconscious bias to representation gaps, the conversations reinforced the need for more culturally aware leadership models in the tech space.
“Culture doesn’t slow down innovation—it grounds it. It’s what ensures that innovation is shared, sustained, and meaningful.”
Why were we there? To understand the disconnect between fast-paced innovation and the slower, essential work of building emotionally intelligent, inclusive cultures—so we can better support the leaders and teams shaping the future.
Voices from Keele: The Leadership Podcast
Later in March, Vanessa and Tarek were invited to Keele University to record a leadership podcast hosted by Simon Johnson and Loghan Matts. The conversation offered space to explore Synthosys’ core belief: that the unconscious plays a fundamental role in how teams function, cultures grow, and leadership evolves.
🎙️ From the dynamics between team, individual, and culture to the stories behind our 4C model, it was a rich, in-depth dialogue that will soon be shared more widely.
“We’re not just helping teams talk better—we help them hear what’s unspoken.”
The episode will be released soon—stay tuned for insights into the unconscious forces shaping leadership today.
Building a Lasting Impact: Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Influence
In March, Dr Vanessa Pozzali and Dr Tarek Jomaa co-authored an article for the Institute of Leadership, titled “Building a Lasting Impact: Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Influence.”
It explored why leaders strive to leave a mark—drawing from theories like Dawkins' "selfish gene" to the challenges of embedding cultural change. Through stories, including that of a high-performing tech leader who burned out shielding their team from dysfunction, the article examined the leadership balancing act: empowering individuals, building teams, and shaping culture.
“The most impactful leaders don’t just develop individuals—they create teams that work as a unit and cultures that outlast them.”
The full article is available on the Institute of Leadership platform and on Synthosys’ LinkedIn page.
Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Organisational Culture
On 28 March, Synthosys hosted a thought-provoking webinar expanding on themes from the Institute article. We explored what a lasting legacy looks like in organisational culture and leadership, and how to lead with resilience through transition.
What makes a leadership legacy truly sustainable?
How do you juggle team needs, individual growth, and organisational dynamics?
What unconscious dynamics get in the way of influence?
🎥 Watch the full webinar here:
What’s Next in Organisational Culture and Leadership
Momentum is building for spring and summer. Here's a preview of what’s ahead:
🧭 The Leadership Compass at Insomnia Caffè – A relaxed yet powerful intro to Synthosys’ leadership philosophy, open to anyone curious about purpose-led leadership. Event link »
📍 Exhibition in London – 22 May – Synthosys will exhibit at one of London’s key business events, spotlighting our 4C Culture & Dynamics model.
🌱 Leadership Course in Kent – June – In partnership with Benjamin Acheampong, we’ll co-lead a hands-on leadership programme that empowers individuals to lead with presence and clarity. See more »
Stay Tuned
These past months have reminded us that culture is not static—it’s lived, felt, and shaped in every encounter. Whether it’s sharing space with expat families, exchanging insights with tech leaders, or co-creating models for resilience, Synthosys remains committed to transforming leadership from the inside out.
Let’s keep moving—meaningfully, together.