Andrea Jung – A Notable Woman Taking the Road Less Traveled

Andrea Jung is an executive, non-profit leader, and prominent women’s-issues supporter. Her parents emigrated from China to the United States when Andrea was a child. She was raised in the traditional Asian manner and once admitted to a reporter that she kept a letter in her desk her father wrote to her. In it he wrote, “Cultivate the absence of arrogance and boastfulness.” He wanted to remind his daughter that no matter her achievements, a humble attitude would serve her well. (Notablebiographies.com)

Eventually Andrea would become the first female CEO of Avon Products, taking the failing company out of the depths of marketing oblivion into a world of young, hip makeup products.

 

I had the privilege of meeting and hearing Andrea speak at the Association of Talent Development Conference in 2015. Her words were powerful, her influence undeniable. She is truly a notable woman who took the road less traveled. Following is a recap of what she shared.

 

Lessons Learned As a CEO:

 

• Have a compelling vision and values that are understood by everyone in the organization. Everyone should speak the same culture language.
• Successful leaders should lead through influence, not power. You do that through great communication. It’s better to give high touch messages versus high tech (call, don’t just text or email).
• Authentic leadership doesn’t shy away from tough decisions.
• Reinvention is the key. Keep the best of the past and change what’s not working. Don’t wait until it rains; replace the roof while the sun is shining.
• Cycles come faster and faster…never get complacent. Always look at your organization with fresh eyes. You cannot do that without reinventing yourself.
• When you finally reach the top of the stairs, you’ll discover you are at the bottom of the next flight of stairs.
• Never stop innovating; innovation is a global equalizer.
• Don’t ask why; ask why not.
• Women are the fastest growing emerging market.
• Do good. it’s as important as doing well.

 

Personal Lessons Learned:

 

• It’s about purpose, not power; follow your compass not your clock.
• Persevere; never give up.
• Fail forward.
• Life is not always fair. Don’t get stuck in being a victim.
• Pay it forward.

 

My favorite story Andrea told had to do with working moms and work/life balance. She said, “One day I was excited to get a call from the White House inviting me to  attend a meeting with President George Bush. When I went to book it in my calendar I realized the meeting was the same day as my daughter’s first dance recital. I thought, “In 20 years who will remember that I wasn’t there? Would it be President Bush, or will it be my daughter?” That helped me make the right decision. You see, as a working mom, you CAN have it all, you just can’t have it all on the same day.”

 

 Today Andrea Jung is continuing to make a difference in the lives of women as the President and CEO of Grameen America, a nonprofit microfinance organization founded by Nobel Peace prize recipient Muhammad Yunus. Their mission:

Grameen America is dedicated to helping women who live in poverty build small businesses. We offer microloans, training and support to transform communities and fight poverty in the United States.

Andrea Jung is a great example of a woman whose life has been dedicated to help women succeed. She has followed her own “road less traveled” and is an inspiration to anyone wanting to make a difference.  Is she happy? Personally, I can’t say, but I’d venture the answer is a resound YES.