Business Sense and Sensibility
I just finished reading Mireille Guiliano’s book: Women, Work, & the Art of Savoir Faire and it is filled with fabulous advice about being a professional woman in the world of work. Mireille was the former CEO of Cliquot, Inc. known best for their luxury champagne. This French born business woman has savvy tips to help us get the most out of life – in and out of the office.
She is a woman after my own heart, spreading the message of identifying and playing to your passions by using your talents and making wise professional choices. From work/life balance to developing a personal brand – her book is a charming and enlightening read for women of all ages.
While her book is filled with a myriad of useful tips, I have highlighted a few to whet your appetite and get you thinking about your own career sensibilities.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Mireille says – “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” and she is right! Nothing is so bad that it can’t be fixed and if you don’t stretch yourself you will never move forward with new opportunities in life and in your career.
If necessary, fire your boss and hook your star to a talented and dynamic leader. A great leader is hard to find but a super boss will take you upward with them inside or outside your current organization if you prove your worth. If you have the trust of the rising star in the company – keep it and maintain it for this is your insurance policy. Someday, it will pay off and your boss will help you land on your feet somewhere else so you can reach your personal career goals. If your current boss is not star material, it’s time to look for one that is.
Find something you are passionate about. Life is filled with episodes and stages and passions change over time. If you are playing to your passions, it won’t ever feel like work.
Women need to work harder and smarter than others to succeed and be respected. Mireille earned her professional wings and the respect of others in a male dominated field of luxury goods. She believes the safest way to get noticed is to do consistent and outstanding work. There aren’t many shortcuts to the top so play your best game, and you will earn respect.
Timing is everything – make it work for you. While you cannot always control the timing of things, you can be sensitive to the timing of your actions. Like when to ask for a raise, or pitch a new proposal. You should never relinquish the ask but plan for the most opportune time that will serve your mission well. Prepare yourself to be in the right place at the right time and seize those great moments of opportunity when they arise.
Live a balanced life. You cannot have it all or do it all – all of the time. But you can learn to manage the ebb and flow of life to your advantage. If you are unhappy in your personal life it will carry over into your job performance. Take care of your mental and physical well being and manage your expectations so you can live comfortably in your own skin.
Remember, image, image, image. As a consummate, savvy, chic, and stylish French woman, Mireille believes strongly in cultivating your own professional image. From polished communication skills to wardrobe, and a good haircut – it’s not about being a beauty queen but being confident and portraying the image you want the world to recognize you as in and out of the office.
