“Don’t try to be perfect. If you don’t fail, you’re not going to learn anything. So let’s go for it.” Nathalie Gerschtein, president, consumer products division, North America, L’Oréal USA, shared this advice with attendees at Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s evening event at the stunning Diane von Furstenberg studio headquarters in New York City on Jan. 14.

The event’s panel discussion featured industry-leading women in retail alongside Gerschtein, including Sharonda Weatherspoon, senior vice president, retail operations, client development, and retail transformation, Ralph Lauren; Claudia Cividino, president, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, Signet Jewelers; Amanda Baldwin, CEO, Olaplex Holdings, Inc.; and moderator Cynthia Stoldt, CEO, Aherne Executive Search. In this clip from the discussion, each panelist shared their advice to rising women leaders for 2025 success.

Weatherspoon emphasized that we all have to be open to doing things differently. “You do have to make room to un-learn things. Your ability to be flexible enough to really change … is going to be so, so critical.”

“Ask a lot of questions, and ask a lot of [different] people,” advised Cividino. “Build a network and build trust. Ask for help, put great people around you, show them a lot of love, and you’ll learn a lot. That will help speed your journey.”

Baldwin offered a concrete action to take: Ask for a special assignment. “Ask for something … that you’re going to take on above your current job description.”

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view the full session recording on-demand here.