Francine Gingras, Vice President, Global Public Relations, Elizabeth Arden, has learned much along the way. Francine, who started out as a nurse and moved on to the ranks of senior communications executive, was compelled to capture what she thinks are important lessons for young women as they embark on their career journey. Here, she captures the lessons from the different times in her career to demonstrate what one can learn—wherever they are. “You don’t learn it from any one book, person or job. It’s the combination of everything that eventually builds confidence and a sense of knowing what to do,” said Francine. “I’ve been blessed to have many teachers over my career, most of whom never knew they were teaching.”
1) Where You Start Is Not Where you End Up
Don’t let the location or position of where you are today limit where you can go tomorrow. Job skills and experience can be repurposed into new adventures. Always think about what skills you have, not which ones you don’t have. Follow your passions and build on your strengths.
2) Develop Strong Communications Skills
Your ability to listen, ask the right questions and use positive language that’s understood is at the basis of anything good happening to you. Communicate often as needed, whether it be up, down, sideways, internally or externally. Know who needs to hear what and when.
3) Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say
Stand on your word. If you commit to something, do it! At the end of the day, you’re only as good as your word. Trust is built from this simple principle.
4) Work Hard and Then Some
Always do more than what is expected. That’s when you get noticed. You need to be both a thinker and a doer.
5) Grow Where You Are Planted
Do your best wherever you are, even if you aren’t happy to be there. Nothing lasts forever and being able to grow and learn in any situation bodes well on your abilities and flexibility. Don’t be afraid to leap forward in uncharted waters. Careers are made there.
6) Collaboration
You are nothing if you don’t learn to work with others and ask for their help. We live in a society where partnership is the only way to get anything done. Love to collaborate and love the energy and diversity it brings along.
7) Judgment, Context and Common Sense
It seems simple but sometimes people forget that your instincts have strength and context is critical as it can change your thinking. Who are you talking to and what do they need? This question alone will propel any career!
8) Change Everything and Change Nothing
Be willing to do adapt to a new world. Embrace change but stay true to yourself. Being your authentic self is easy and natural and it’s what people remember.
9) Simplify the Complex
Complex matters need to be dissected and reassembled in a way that will be understood by all. Those who can do this well win.
10) Share Your Knowledge and Experience
Don’t keep knowledge to yourself. People who share the wealth build better, successful teams. Keeping knowledge to yourself will make you look like a control freak and will limit your possibilities.
11) Perseverance
Persevere until it’s obvious you need to stop. And if you do stop…stop and move on.
12) Having it All…Not All At The Same Time
Accept the fact that multitasking and being a super woman is a short-term plan. Accept the reality that you can accomplish a great deal more when you focus on fewer things at the same time. You will be better organized, less stressed and more successful. Know what you want and know what is non-negotiable in your life.
