Meet Fanni, R.E.D. HR Community’s new Operations & Community Intern, who believes that whether on the water or in the workplace, strong teams are built through trust, communication, and a shared goal.
Hello, I’m Fanni,
What makes a group of individuals become a real team?
Is it having the most talented people in the room? A shared ambition? Or the ability to trust one another, even when things get challenging?
I’ve been exploring these questions in two very different environments: international community building and dragon boat racing at Fudan University. Both have taught me that meaningful achievements rarely happen alone.
That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to join R.E.D. HR Community as the new Operations & Community Intern in Shanghai. I’m looking forward to helping people connect, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, and learning from professionals who understand the value of bringing people together.
What Dragon Boat Racing Taught Me About Teamwork
One of the highlights of my university experience has been dragon boat racing.
In 2026, I served as vice-captain of Fudan University’s international dragon boat team. Our team of 27 students from 18 countries won the Yangtze River Delta HEIs International Students Dragon Boat Race, completing the 200-metre course in 52.65 seconds. In 2027, I’ll take on a new challenge as team captain.
Dragon boat racing requires more than strength and endurance. Every paddler must find the same rhythm, trust their teammates, and stay focused on a common goal. No one can carry the boat alone.
It’s a powerful reminder that individual talent matters, but communication, coordination, and mutual trust are what turn individual effort into collective success.
From the Boat to the Workplace
From the Boat to the WorkplaceI see the same principles in HR and community building. Bringing people into the same room is only the beginning. The real value comes from creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing experiences, asking questions, learning from different perspectives, and supporting one another.
In the workplace, people bring different expectations, communication styles, and strengths. Helping them work together effectively takes intention and effort.
For me, both dragon boat racing and HR community building are about turning individual strengths into collective success.
As I prepare to become team captain, I’m learning to look beyond my own performance and focus on supporting others, maintaining team spirit, and helping everyone work towards a shared goal. I hope to bring the same mindset to R.E.D.
Why R.E.D.? Because Connections Matter
Why R.E.D.? Because Connections MatterI’m excited to join R.E.D. because its focus on Relationships, Engagement, and professional Development reflects something I strongly believe in: we grow when we learn from one another.
A professional community can be much more than a place to network. It can offer a space to exchange honest perspectives, discuss real challenges, and build relationships that last beyond a single event.
As Operations & Community Intern, I’ll support community activities, help events run smoothly, and contribute to the communication and coordination that bring members together.
I’m especially looking forward to learning from HR leaders about how they build trust, strengthen teams, and create workplaces where people can thrive.
I also hope to contribute my international perspective and enthusiasm for connecting people. My experiences have shown me how much we can achieve when we listen, collaborate, and embrace different ideas.
What I Hope to Learn From You
I’m still a student, with plenty to learn and ideas of my own to explore. I love bringing people together, helping them feel comfortable being themselves, and turning connections into something meaningful. One day, I hope to build a community of my own!
I’m excited to learn from HR leaders across China and beyond about:
- Building bridges across teams: Helping headquarters and local teams understand each other and work better together.
- Creating welcoming communities: Making people feel comfortable sharing ideas, being themselves, and building genuine connections.
- Turning ideas into reality: Learning how to build a community or initiative that brings lasting value.
Let’s Move Forward Together
Whether I’m paddling with my teammates or bringing professionals together at R.E.D., I keep coming back to one idea: we achieve more when we move forward together.
I’m thrilled to begin this journey with R.E.D. HR Community in Shanghai. I look forward to meeting members, hearing your stories, and helping create opportunities for genuine connection.
If we haven’t met yet, come and say hello! I’d love to hear what teamwork and community mean to you.
Let’s connect, collaborate, and grow together!
Interested in joining a community where HR professionals share experiences, exchange ideas, and grow together?
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