Empowering Leadership & Work-Life Balance

Regarding International Women’s Day, Denise Sakuma, Vice President of Brands and Marketing Communications at The Lycra Company, was our distinguished guest speaker at an inspiring conference. She shared a deeply personal and engaging account of her experiences within a major international organization, highlighting her approach to maintaining a work-life balance while effectively managing stress.

Don’t be afraid to speak or do things differently

From the outset of her talk, Denise emphasized two essential lessons learned from her own experiences:

1. The importance of different points of view

Denise highlighted the value of actively listening and being open to sharing unique viewpoints, even if they seem minor. She illustrated this point through her example: choosing not to use a typical PowerPoint presentation or similar visual aids during her speech. Embracing and sharing what makes you distinct is crucial.

2. The importance of collaboration

Closely linked to the first lesson, Denise emphasized that everyone contributes something valuable, for example, creativity, analytical thinking, or unique strengths. Achieving positive outcomes depends heavily on adaptability and empathy, genuinely listening to others, and collectively finding the best solutions.

Work-Life Balance

She described her previous attitude toward work as being completely dedicated — always focused on her job, frequently checking her Blackberry, and accepting promotions, including relocating from the United States to Geneva. However, she reached a turning point when faced with an offer at a time when she also had an opportunity to move with her partner to Barcelona. So, at that moment, she courageously accepted the work offer, but with the condition of being allowed to work from the Catalan city.

This experience reinforced her belief that it’s not essential whether you’re physically present in an office, but rather that you deliver quality work and effectively utilize your time, redefining what productivity truly means.

“Nobody is perfect, and that’s what makes you stronger.”

As Denise explained, personal well-being is fundamental. If you aren’t comfortable or balanced within yourself, your environment will reflect that. This underscores the importance of speaking up and listening openly. She reaffirmed this when discussing one of her most challenging career difficulties: moving from marketing to management.

Stepping into a leadership role involves significant changes, requiring self-awareness, good communication, and recognition of each team member’s strengths and preferences to achieve optimal results and resolve emerging issues effectively.

“Talking is not down; it’s lateral. If it’s not, it can bring you down.”

Leadership involves trusting your team members and understanding that you won’t always be right in your decisions or how you communicate with them. It’s not always about saying a definitive “yes” or “no,” but adding that about why you agree or disagree.

In business, personal preference isn’t always the correct answer

She also emphasized that everyone offers a portal to knowledge. Different cultures bring valuable perspectives, most of which are relevant. However, it’s crucial to recognize that personal preferences aren’t always aligned with brand objectives. Decisions should always focus on what’s best for the brand overall.

To illustrate this, she shared an example of a cultural clash between the Chinese and North American teams regarding tattoos and moles in advertising. One team preferred to conceal them, seeking perfection, while the other favored authenticity, accepting imperfections. However, the best decision wasn’t based on either group’s preference but on what was most beneficial to the brand at that moment.

Diversity and inclusion: the key to success

Diverse perspectives help avoid decisions rooted solely in personal preferences, providing greater insight into what’s truly best for the company and everyone involved. Embracing diversity opens opportunities, guaranteeing a big audience. Additionally, it enhances employee well-being by treating everyone equally, giving each voice importance, and addressing the unique needs of every individual.

In conclusion, Denise’s message is clear: embracing differences and valuing collaboration can achieve sustained success and improve our work environment for everyone involved.