Here is a brief excerpt from an article written by Angela Ahrendts for LinkedIn. To read the complete article and watch her TED presentation, please click here.
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My greatest challenge and I’m sure it’s the same for many leaders today, is to continue to rapidly evolve Burberry to keep pace with as fast as the consumer and technology are changing. Regardless of this market dynamic, one thing has stayed the same:
The Power of Human Energy
I’ve been a leader in the fashion industry for over 60% of my life – and from a big family and small mid-western town, 100% of my life. Inspired by my philosopher father, spiritual mother and great global leaders, I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts, ideas and inspirations with you on this amazing new platform.
We are all at an incredible inflection point today – living and working in fast-moving, digitally-driven and globally connected societies where change is constant and we must thrive in ambiguity.
In many ways, digital must be this generation’s greatest gift. There has never been more creative freedom and potential, or more opportunity to connect and learn.
But the pace of change also presents challenges: feelings of fear, distrust and uncertainty are pervasive. So, how can we respond?
The answer might be surprisingly simple. A powerful force we’re all born with – Energy.
Not oil, natural gas, wind or solar. Not ways to conserve or sustain. But the transformative potential of the energy each and every one of us is born with and take in and emit like the air we breathe. Think of it as ‘emotional electricity’ that powers and connects people, and their collective spirit, to achieve extraordinary things.
Passionate, positive human energy can provide a counterbalance to the disruptive negative forces of an age of unprecedented change. Through it comes confidence, inspiration and the power to transform things for the better.
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To read the complete article and watch her TED presentation, please click here.
Angela joined Burberry in January 2006, and took up the position of CEO on July 1, 2006. CNN Money reported in 2013 that during 2012, she was the highest paid CEO in the UK making $26.3 million. Prior to joining Burberry, she was Executive Vice President at Liz Claiborne Inc., where she joined the executive team in 1998. During her tenure, she oversaw the Contemporary, Casual, Bridge and Menswear businesses, comprising more than twenty brands and representing 40% of total company revenues. She previously spent six years as President of Donna Karan International. Burberry, which is headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange, was founded in 1856.