Career Lessons from Women in Leadership

Career Lessons

Insights from Women in Leadership

At Chico's FAS, we know the power of learning from those who lead by example. Earlier this year, we hosted a panel discussion titled "Be Inspired and Inspire Others," with leaders who help shape our organization. During this event, associates heard insights from two women leaders at Chico's FAS who shared their perspectives on navigating change, inspiring others, and key lessons for a successful career.

The panel featured Senior Vice President of Sourcing & Production and Senior Vice President, General Merchandising Manager of Chico's.

Keep reading for a few takeaways from the conversation.

Early Career Advice:

Embrace the unknown - It's okay to not have every answer. While you may feel pressure to have all the answers, true growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and aren't afraid to be wrong.

Prioritize relationships - It takes a village and everyone's collective efforts for an organization to succeed. By building strong relationships, you'll have the opportunity to achieve more than you ever could alone.

Stay curious - Be a lifelong learner and lean into change.

Key Lessons from Their Mentors:

Be yourself - Be proud of who you are. Authenticity is a great asset. When you lead with your authentic self, you inspire others to do the same.

Take smart risks - Be bold and unafraid to make mistakes, knowing any misstep is a chance to learn and grow.

What Inspires Them as Leaders:

Progress - Celebrate every win, big or small. Acknowledging those incremental steps forward is inspiring.

Our associates - As leaders, we love to give associates a platform to shine. Seeing the synergy between teams and the entire organization fuels more success.

Navigating changes as a team - In an ever-changing world, our organization has risen to every challenge, problem-solving, pivoting, and discovering new ways of working. This spirit of continuous learning and adaption is motivating.

Key Career Lessons:

Don't lose sight of teamwork - Listen deeply to those around you and look beyond your own lane. Keep the broader team's perspective in mind so you can unlock the true potential of the team.

Learn from mistakes - It's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Carry each lesson forward and you'll emerge strong and wiser for what's next.

Inspiring Others:

Every voice matters - Teams thrive when we recognize and celebrate each other's contributions. Make sure everyone has a seat at the table and their voices are heard.

Assume the best - Everyone has a life beyond work, so it's important to be mindful of that and lead with empathy. Assume the best intent in others and show up with positivity.