Ep. #18 Courageous Career Conversations with Vanessa Iloste
May 28, 2022
auto_awesome
In this enlightening discussion, Vanessa Iloste, HR VP of Sephora Asia and veteran of LVMH with over 21 years of experience, shares invaluable insights on navigating career conversations. She emphasizes how crises, like the pandemic, can be transformative learning opportunities for HR. Vanessa advocates for curiosity in career paths and the importance of discussing compensation openly with leaders. With a focus on empathy in leadership, she inspires individuals to take ownership of their career journeys and navigate their professional growth confidently.
The significant role of HR in crisis management during the pandemic highlighted the importance of empathy and proactive communication for effective leadership.
Courageous career conversations foster employee development by encouraging open dialogue about aspirations and individual strengths, enhancing overall engagement and satisfaction.
Deep dives
The Changing Landscape of Business in Asia
The podcast highlights the contrasting business conditions in Asia, particularly between Southeast Asia and China. For the past two years, Southeast Asia faced substantial challenges while China experienced rapid recovery after the initial COVID outbreak. Recently, however, this trend has reversed, with China now grappling with severe issues related to COVID, while Southeast Asia has seen a significant business rebound. This shift illustrates the fluidity of market dynamics in the region and the importance of adaptability for businesses operating across these diverse landscapes.
The Evolving Role of HR During Crises
During the pandemic, the role of Human Resources (HR) transformed significantly, emerging as a crucial function in crisis management. The speaker discussed initially feeling unprepared to take on these responsibilities, which included crisis coordination and supporting employees through difficult times. As HR was thrust into this spotlight, it became essential for HR leaders to adopt a resilient mindset and learn to navigate uncertainty while providing support to their teams. This experience underscores the importance of empathy and proactive communication during crises, solidifying HR's position as a vital member of executive leadership.
Empowering Employees Through Career Conversations
Career conversations play a critical role in employee development and satisfaction, as they allow for the exploration of aspirations and potential career paths. The speaker emphasized the importance of creating a comfortable environment for employees to discuss their ambitions and to guide them in envisioning possible career trajectories. By framing these conversations around the concept of employability and individual strengths, managers can help employees feel valued and engaged in their career growth. This approach encourages a collaborative dialogue rather than a one-sided directive, empowering employees to take ownership of their career paths.
The Importance of Courage and Compassion in Leadership
Courage and compassion are vital characteristics for effective leadership, especially in the context of HR. The speaker noted that offering honest feedback and support can foster self-awareness among employees, leading to personal growth and improved performance. However, delivering insights with care is crucial to avoid overwhelming or discouraging individuals. This focus on nurturing relationships and providing constructive feedback illustrates how leaders can inspire confidence and encourage employees to recognize and harness their strengths.
Today’s podcast guest is Vanessa Iloste. Jean and Vanessa have a great high energy conversation about how to have a courageous career conversation - both as an individual and as a leader.
Vanessa was born in France and moved to Japan at the age of 19 years old.
She received a scholarship to study in Japan and has been now living and working in the Asia region for 26 years. She has lived in Osaka, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore.
Vanessa has been working for the LVMH Group for 21 years and is today the HR VP of Sephora Asia.
She is married and has 2 children. Her hobby is writing and she is currently completing a story taking place in Hong Kong.”Vanessa shares
The role HR played during Covid in crisis management
How a crisis is an opportunity for learning for all of us
Ways to be curious about many different career options
How to be aware of your ‘employability’ in the market