Muir Olivia
I’ve always aspired to be a strong leader in the business world, hoping to apply the skills I’ve developed over the years in various sports fields during my school and university days.
The chance to lead my team arrived in mid-2022, as we emerged from the pandemic. Hybrid working has proven to be a significant shift, and for our company, it has been crucial in attracting and retaining key talent, especially as some competitors have insisted on rigid return-to-office policies. On a personal level, hybrid working has allowed me to maintain a better work-life balance. However, it has also introduced new challenges, particularly in leadership, which continue to evolve.
Effective leadership in a remote environment requires adaptability. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it depends on the leader, the team, and the context. I believe a successful modern leader embodies several core qualities. Trust is crucial, though it takes time to build, especially in a virtual setting. My team, dispersed across four cities—London, New York, Zurich, and San Francisco—was new to me when I took over.
Regular, informal one-on-one check-ins were essential for building relationships and trust, including the often-overlooked small talk about life outside of work. It’s important to recognize that behind the screens, we’re all interacting with fellow humans, each with their vulnerabilities.
Understanding my team’s strengths and weaknesses helps me tailor my leadership approach to each individual, allowing me to be more flexible and accommodating to their needs. Psychological safety is also vital, fostering an environment of open collaboration, feedback, and dialogue, which leads to better decision-making and results.
A flexible approach, where rules are adapted to fit the context, is necessary to ensure freedom, responsibility, and collaborative trust within the team. Being willing to ‘get your hands dirty’ is also important, showing that a leader is an active participant, not just an observer. This is particularly relevant in a virtual world, where visibility is limited, and hands-on involvement can make a significant difference.
Enablement is another key role of a leader, ensuring that the team has the resources, support, and tools they need to succeed. This is even more important in a remote setting, where challenges aren’t as easily spotted as they would be in a traditional office environment. Empowerment, linked to trust, forms a powerful combination for an effective and successful team.
Communication is the final critical element. As a leader, I focus on both communication style and listening, paying extra attention to non-verbal cues in a virtual setting. My role is to facilitate connections, and discussions, and ensure that the collective knowledge of the team is utilized effectively. Clear, purposeful communication of vision and goals, developed collaboratively, is essential to ensure everyone is aligned and understands the direction we’re heading.
In conclusion, my focus remains on sustainability within real assets, a complex and evolving field. Leading a team in this space often means navigating uncharted territory without always having clear evidence to support every decision. Winning support for ambitious goals, particularly in a virtual or hybrid world, requires a clear vision, strong communication, and the ability to connect with people on an emotional level, despite the challenges of remote interactions.
About the Leader
Olivia Muir is the Head of Sustainability for Real Estate & Private Markets (REPM) within UBS Asset Management (UBS-AM). In this role, she oversees sustainability initiatives across all business areas in REPM and drives the expansion of new sustainable investment activities. Before this, Olivia was a Portfolio Manager in REPM’s Multi-Managers Real Estate (MMRE) platform and led MMRE’s sustainability activities. She joined UBS-AM in June 2011, having previously worked within the direct real estate team in the UK. Olivia is also a member of the REPM Management Forum and several industry bodies, including GRESB’s Real Estate Standards Committee.
