Rebecca Pearce
As One Autodesk, we believe driving toward greatness is a team sport. And it’s something we build together through everyday choices, from how we invest in our own growth to how we support one another to achieve impactful outcomes.
That belief comes to life in many ways, from individual learning opportunities to team-based experiences designed to strengthen how we collaborate and perform. It also shapes how we support Autodeskers more holistically, through well-being resources that span career coaching, mental health support, employee assistance, and more.
Recently, that philosophy took centre stage in a four-week global experience: the Let There Be Greatness Challenge. It was a simple idea, grounded in something powerful – that small, intentional habits can have a lasting impact on how we feel, work, and grow. Because this program reflects so much of who we are and what we value as a company, I’m eager to share a glimpse of the inspiring experience.
Small changes, big impact
The idea was simple: help Autodeskers start the year with practical, low-lift habits that support sustainable personal growth. Participation was fully voluntary, and never tracked. And whilst this program was not explicitly tied to performance expectations, the intent was to instill habits that help us cultivate a high performance organisation, fostering an environment where people are challenged and stretched, in the relentless pursuit of better.
Each week centered on a theme tied to a well-being pillar:
- Physical well‑being: Encouraging small actions that help people feel grounded and energized, like exploring better sleep habits or practicing active listening.
- Mental resilience: Offering prompts and micro‑habits that support clarity and perspective during busy workdays, like blocking 15 minutes for a form of movement or stillness to reset, refocus, and stay present.
- Team spirit: Creating moments for colleagues to connect, recognize one another, and build trust across regions and time zones, like conducting a walking meeting or checking in with a teammate.
- Continuous improvement: Helping people take tangible steps toward learning, experimentation, and personal growth, like connecting without digital distractions or planning a recharge day.
What I found especially meaningful is that this challenge did not introduce something entirely new. It helped people rediscover what was already available to them. By curating suggested paths each week, we were able to reconnect Autodeskers with the breadth of learning and well-being resources they can continue to use long after the challenge has ended.
One global team, one shared moment
Autodesk is a truly global company, spanning countries, cultures, and disciplines. Experiences like this create a shared moment, acting as a reminder that whilst our roles may differ, we are connected by a common purpose and a shared commitment to what we can achieve together.
The timing was also deliberate. Around the world, people were immersed in a season celebrating human performance and dedication during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. By launching in mid-February, we tapped into that same energy, demonstrating that greatness can be built through small, consistent actions rather than dramatic leaps. And that we can all have winning performances through how we show up each day.
What greatness looked like to our teams
Over the four weeks, we saw teams celebrate small wins, share progress on the steps they were taking, and support each other’s momentum. People made space for themselves in small ways – stepping away for a stretch, trying a short mindfulness break, or paying attention to sleep or posture. Others experimented with new learning habits, reflecting on their goals, or simply giving themselves permission to learn and grow at a manageable pace.
The most rewarding part? Everyone got to define what “greatness” looked like for them. And when we invited Autodeskers to share what that looked like in practice, their answers were honest, inspiring, and deeply personal:
“I engaged with the challenge across all four weeks, and each theme gave me something a little different. During one of the busiest and most demanding periods in our company calendar, I wanted to be more intentional about how I approached my work, managed stress, and stayed focused.
“My biggest takeaway is that greatness is often built through small, intentional actions rather than dramatic changes. Starting before I feel fully ready, taking time to reset, and choosing progress over perfection all helped me work in a healthier and more sustainable way.”
– Karolina Cisoń
Content Designer
Kraków, Poland
“What motivated me most was the idea of simply getting started. Often the hardest part is taking that first step, and I appreciated that the challenge focused on small actions rather than overwhelming goals. It felt like a good opportunity to reset and be more intentional with how I use my time and energy, and the shared experience across teams made it more engaging and motivating.”
– Ganesh Rahate
Application Security Engineer, Product Security Incident Response Team
Bangalore, India
“I approached the challenge by fully integrating it into my daily routine rather than treating it as something separate. At our annual One Team Conference, I made a conscious decision to participate in everything I could. In the past, I would have skipped many of the optional activities, but this time I leaned in.
“What stood out most was the energy created by others. Seeing colleagues step outside their comfort zones, be vulnerable, and try something new made it easier to do the same. There is real power in group participation and shared accountability.”
– Ryan Truxal
Sr Technical Sales Specialist
Colorado, USA
A reflection of our culture
The Let There Be Greatness Challenge was not about ticking boxes. It was about creating space for people to feel energized, connected, and supported in ways that are meaningful to them.
Whilst the challenge itself has come to a close, the mindset behind it remains. Because building a high-performing culture does not come from a single initiative. It comes from the small, consistent actions we choose every day.
Those actions guide how we work together, how we support one another, and how we show up for our customers as they design and make the future.
That is how greatness takes shape at Autodesk.
Ready to bring your own greatness to Autodesk? Check out our current openings!