by Sara Vicente Barreto
AI makes it remarkably easy to take action, automate tasks and feel like we’re moving fast. But what happens when knowing just enough makes us comfortable? The next stage of AI isn’t about doing the same things faster. It’s about re-imagining the way we work.
Watching our children struggle, experiencing disappointment ourselves or seeing our teams fall is never easy. Yet weakness often brings unexpected gifts: emotion, reflection and change. If we allow ourselves to embrace these moments rather than avoid them, we may discover there is strength in weakness.
Sometimes life brings you to a wall—unexpected, immovable, and overwhelming. This is a reflection on pressure, perspective, and learning to build space to move through it.
We often struggle to justify art because it doesn’t feel “useful.” But what if its value lies elsewhere? A reflection on emotional connection, joy, and expression—and why art deserves space in our lives.
Last week I was invited to speak on a panel about work-life balance. My first response intrigued them: I don’t believe in work-life balance. Instead, I’ve come to think about life more like a river—dynamic, imperfect, and constantly flowing. This reflection explores perfectionism, guilt, and why letting go of balance might actually bring more ease to our lives.
Taking a stand in today’s world can feel risky. In this reflection, I explore how leadership requires conviction grounded in values — and the willingness to slow down, question, and maintain perspective even in heated debates.
This year, I approached the Web Summit differently—less rush, more intention. Between learning, AI debates, and walking the floor, I found a new balance between insight and connection.
Last week, I launched a new skills workshop at Nova SBE — Critical Thinking in the 21st Century. What began as an idea two years ago turned into a milestone and a mirror. Through learning, creating, and making people think, I discovered how much joy comes from doing something you love — and how teaching reshapes your own thinking too.
Day 6 of my journey brings a simple but essential reminder — that patience is not passive. In development work, change takes time, and impact takes trust. This is what it looks like to wait with purpose.
Change can be daunting, but when met with openness and care, it becomes transformative. At the São Vicente de Paulo school, we’ve seen the power of change in education — where feeding programs, sponsorships, and partnerships work hand in hand to create lasting impact.
This year, our scholarship students’ annual gathering took an unexpected turn — to the beach. Between laughter, capolanas, and heartfelt stories, we reflected on the power of opportunity, resilience, and belonging that education can bring.
After the rush to “get everything done,” I land in Mozambique and finally slow down. Between joy, teamwork, and purpose, this first day back reminds me why we do what we do.
Returning to Nova SBE after nearly twenty years, I shared reflections on what I wish I had known when I graduated — about humility, ambition, and community. These lessons, spoken for the Class of 2025, continue to resonate far beyond the ceremony.
An audit doesn’t just belong in business. A life audit can reset your goals, turn gaps into actions, and bring clarity in both work and personal life.
This weekend I did nothing for an hour. No podcast. No phone. No agenda. Just stillness—and a surprising amount of resistance. Why is boredom so hard to access?
