Thriving in the Brussels Bubble | Mentorship, Resilience, Meaningful Networks
A panel on thriving in the Brussels bubble, exploring mentorship, networks and community as keys to resilient, sustainable careers.
The Brussels bubble is fast-paced, competitive, and often opaque. Especially for those navigating careers in policy, communications, public affairs or adjacent fields. In this conversation, we take a step back to explore what it really takes to thrive within it.
This panel brings together experienced professionals to unpack the role of mentorship, peer communities and informal networks in building resilient, sustainable careers in Brussels. Beyond job titles and institutions, we’ll look at the human side of professional life: how people enter the bubble, who supports them along the way, and how communities help counter precarity, competition and burnout.
The discussion will also spotlight the next generation of young professionals: their values, their expectations around leadership and inclusivity, and the new ways they are reshaping mentorship through collaboration, reverse mentorship and collective learning.
Expect an honest, experience-led conversation that goes beyond theory, offering concrete insights for those navigating Brussels today, and for those shaping the professional ecosystems of tomorrow.
The evening will conclude with practical takeaways for both young professionals and senior leaders, followed by an open Q&A with the audience.
Location
The Nine
69 Rue Archimède
1000 Bruxelles
Category: Government, International Affairs
From Fog to Focus: Your Monthly Clarity Check-in
Feeling stuck? Unsure how to handle a work challenge? Or just need space to think out loud with others who get it?
Welcome to From Fog to Focus, your monthly Clarity Check-in designed for anyone navigating workplace challenges in Brussels.
Clarity Check-in Series: A New Offering from A Better Brussels
We often hear people in Brussels' policy-making space asking the same question: “Is my workplace toxic, or is it just a mismatch?” Understanding the difference can be overwhelming, especially in the midst of high-pressure environments.
That’s why we’re introducing the Clarity Check-in Series, a monthly online coaching session designed to give you the space to reflect, gain insights, and take meaningful steps forward—all in a safe and confidential setting.
Introduction to Psychosocial Safety & Workplace Trauma
As a follow-up to our listening sessions, we are excited to invite you to an online workshop led by renowned workplace trauma expert Dorothy Dalton, focusing on the foundations of psychosocial safety and workplace trauma.
How can EU bubble bosses do better?
The final installment of our 3-part listening series for 2024 brought us together one last time—on a Friday evening, no less. Keeping things relaxed, we dove into a lighter conversation over a delicious chicken biryani dinner, sharing thoughts on what we’d want EU bosses to hear. Best of all, attendees got an exclusive first look at the deliverables inspired by our listening sessions.
How can EU bubble bosses do better?
During this October’s listening session, we set out to talk about leadership responsibilities, however, attendees brought their own agenda—rich with opinions, ideas, and challenges that stretched beyond the planned discussion. I figured a quick summary just wouldn’t cut it, so giving you a glimpse at my 'Dear Diary' entry instead—it's a heartfelt look back at the day.
How can EU bubble bosses do better?
Folks from the different spheres of the EU policymaking space attended the first listening session! The session brought to light some hard truths in Brussels' policymaking workplaces. It was not all sad news, it showed incredible talent, willpower to figure it out and constructive suggestions on what is expected of EU bosses.