In a panel discussion at our recent Women in Retail x DVF Store Takeover event, a group of five retail executives shared the leadership lessons they had to learn the hard way and emphasized the value of self-awareness, communication and adaptability.
Moderator Andrea Wasserman, founder of The Executive Express, kicked off the conversation by highlighting the impact of nonverbal cues. Reflecting on a previous experience at a new job, Wasserman remarked, “Our body language says so much and makes suggestions that we may not even be aware of.”
Shawuan Johnson, chief merchandising officer at Victoria’s Secret & Co., echoed this sentiment by stressing the importance of creating a supportive environment. “Your job is to create the environment so that the best ideas can come through,” advised Johnson, underscoring the shift from dominance to facilitation in leadership roles.
When confronted with a crisis, it’s best to face it head-on, said Performance Beauty Group CEO JuE Wong. Referencing her experience at Olaplex, she stated, “Silence is admission of guilt,” advocating for transparency and immediate action in the face of crises.
Kiera Ganann, senior vice president, head of merchandising at The Children’s Place, shared how she transitioned from believing that leadership required loud confidence to appreciating quiet strength. As she put it, “I’m trying to find the quiet leadership and the quiet confidence that is there.”
Managing personal triggers in the workplace is a challenge for all leaders. Citizen Watch America Chief Digital Officer Barbara Garces said she learned to pause and reflect before reacting, stating, “I know what my trigger words are … I take that deep breath and I just don’t react.”
Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view the full panel discussion here and session recordings from all other events here.