“Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.”- Coco Chanel
What was it about CoCo Chanel that intrigued me early on in my career? So much so, that I have even considered changing my name to “CoCo Couture”!
She was a successful business woman during a time when few women were afforded this opportunity. My connection to her was not about her personal life, her Nazi era relationship intrigue or her religious viewpoints. My admiration is focused on her business and branding genius.
She was a visionary, a liberated woman leading the way as an independent business woman.
CoCo Chanel was one of the first women in the early 1900’s to create a business empire that still exists today. Chanel started many trends by creating an entirely different look for women of the 20th century. She freed women from wearing insufferable corsets and bustles and created a fashion revolution that influenced many designers after her. Her signature suit – a collarless cardigan jacket paired with a straight skirt – is still in style today. Women in the 1920’s all over the world cut their hair and discarded their corsets in favor of loose-fitting sweaters, blazers, simple knit skirts, trench coats and Chanel’s trademark “little black dress.” The Chanel brand remains one of the most iconic and revered in the fashion world even 40 plus years after her death.
What are those characteristics of her leadership style that I found most helpful as a foundation for executive and leadership presence? Here are four:
She had an enormous amount of confidence
She was famous for saying: “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”
Her classic, soft and simple looks forever changed the face of fashion. What enabled her to do what she did so well? Coco Chanel had enough confidence in herself to rely on her own judgment. This characteristic allowed her to stick to her core values and beliefs no matter what challenges she faced. She knew herself well and remained authentic while facing difficulty. She never tried to blend in just to be comfortable; instead she pushed herself and allowed herself to be challenged beyond her comfort zone.
She was vision-oriented
As she said: “A leader knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.”
Coco came up with the idea of setting women free of lace, structured clothing and frills. She created an all-new modern woman that was liberated, self-confident and free. She imagined her style, made it real and then wore it. Her creations mirrored simplicity yet elegance. She listened to the world around her and was able to create the vision everyone wished to have. Chanel followed a simple yet radical philosophy for that time period: It is possible to be comfortable and chic at the same time.
She made the right decisions
Another famous quote: “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
Chanel always knew what she wanted, and with her vision, knew which direction would allow her to reach her goals.
She had presence
Coco was known to be extremely sharp, straightforward and outspoken. She looked purposeful, confident, contented and very much the successful woman. She set herself as a leader in fashion and she also looked the part.
Sir Winston Churchill did not hide his enthusiastic impressions, “When I met famous Coco Chanel, I admired her. This is one of the most intelligent and very strong women with whom I have ever had to deal with.”
As with any leader, leadership begins with knowing who you are, what you stand for and then having the courage and persistence to live by this in order to fulfill your contribution to the world. CoCo Chanel had more obstacles in the early twentieth century than we as women have today. And yet she persevered. We can learn very important lessons from women like her who pushed through all types of obstacles and were able to achieve enormous success.
What is it that sets you apart and what leadership and executive presence characteristics enable you to achieve success? What obstacles do you jump over, push through, eliminate and/or reduce to help you reach your vision? Do you have any obstacles that are preventing you from achieving your goals?
Let us help you to continue to build your leadership and executive presence. We can help you to push through your obstacles whether real or imagined! Tell us what you need.
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