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From factory floor to Chanel CEO: Leena Nair's 3 career secrets

Nov 16, 2024

Leena Nair's journey from Unilever factory HR to Chanel's CEO is the type of story that makes you want to completely rethink what's possible in our careers.

Too often, we get stuck thinking certain paths are closed to us because we didn't start in the "right" place. I've seen many talented professionals hold themselves back because they didn't have the "perfect" background or the "right" connections. And let's be honest - when was the last time you heard of someone from HR becoming a luxury fashion CEO? The traditional playbook would say it's impossible.

But that's exactly why Leena's story matters so much.

In today's newsletter, we're diving deep into how Leena Nair rewrote the rules of leadership. I'll share her 3 secrets to leap from Unilever's factory floors to Chanel's executive suite, and the practical lessons you can apply to your own career.

Leena's 3 Strategies For Success

#1: Building Her Self-Belief - Step By Step

Imagine walking into a boardroom where everyone expects you to fail. That was Leena Nair's reality when she stepped into Unilever's management trainee program in 1992 - young, female, and from a small town in India.

But Leena didn't just survive - she thrived. How?

By transforming self-doubt into self-belief:

She spent time on self reflection “You’ve got to spend a lot of time on yourself. What are your assumptions, beliefs, triggers that are coming in the way of being courageous?”
She tracked her progress in speaking up in meetings - every time she did, she drew a star in her little notebook. That made her feel more and more confident.
She focused on positive self-talk: “Okay, someone's underestimating me? Okay, let me show them how I can do this even better”

The result? She became a woman of firsts:

the first woman in her family to attend university.
the first female Unilever trainee on a factory assignment in India.
the first woman, Asian, and youngest-ever CHRO at Unilever - implementing many “first-ever” policies such as global parental leave.
the first Indian-origin Global CEO of Chanel Luxury brand - a role traditionally held by fashion industry veterans.

Want to build your own confidence muscle?

Start tomorrow morning:

Take 5 minutes to list three recent wins (yes, even small ones count - like Leena speaking up in meetings).
Keep this list on your phone.
When self-doubt creeps in during the day, pull out your list and ask yourself: "What would my confident self do right now?"

#2: Creating Her Career Support Squad

Leena's rise to the top wasn't a solo journey - it was powered by a large network of supporters.

But here's what most people miss: she didn't just collect mentors like LinkedIn connections. She turned one-time meetings into lasting relationships through immediate action.

Take her relationship with Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO. After their first meeting, Leena implemented Nooyi's advice - she then sent a brief email describing the impact. This quick action-feedback loop transformed a single coffee chat into a decade-long mentorship.

Ready to build your own support network?

Here's your action plan for this week:

Identify three people whose career path inspires you.
Write an email “I admire your career path in [specific field/role] and would love to learn from your journey - would you be open to a 15-minute coffee chat?”
After the meeting, implement one piece of their advice within that week and send them a specific update about the results.

#3: Her Superpower - Leading Through Listening

While many executives retreat to corner offices, Leena made it a priority to be where the real work happened - engaging with employees across roles and locations. Her philosophy was simple yet powerful:

“Seek to understand before you seek to change.”

She didn’t just sit at the table; she ensured every voice was heard. “If I sit in a meeting, I want to listen to every voice around the table, not just the dominant ones,” she said. And the results proved the power of her approach.

During her time as CHRO, Unilever

reached a 50/50 gender balance in global leadership
implemented flexible work policies that worked for both office staff and factory workers
launched pioneering initiatives to create a truly inclusive workplace.

When she transitioned to Chanel, Leena applied the same method. She immersed herself in conversations, learning from employees at all levels to navigate the unique challenges of a new industry. By listening first, she ensured a smoother transition and set the stage for impactful leadership.

Her story highlights a powerful truth:

Making an impact in your career always begins with listening.

Want to start?

Ask a team member this week: ‘If you could change one thing about how we work, what would it be?’ Then, really hear what they have to say.

Turn Your Differences Into Your Edge

Here's what strikes me most about Leena's story: she never tried to fit the traditional CEO mold. Instead, she turned her unique perspective - from factory floor to fashion, from HR to CEO - into her superpower.

The next time someone suggests you don't fit the typical profile for your dream role, remember Leena. Her journey from Kolhapur to Chanel shows us:

Your different path, your unique style, your outsider's perspective - that's not your weakness. It's your edge.

Start small tomorrow.

Build your confidence.
Make one connection.
Listen deeply.

But most importantly? Take action.