Leadership lessons from “a couturier in the truest sense of the word”

Leadership re[framed] — Vol. 7: Leadership x Haute couture

This blogpost is part of the Leadership re[framed] publication.

The Disney+ series Balenciaga provides an intimate look into the rise of one of the most influential fashion houses in history, under the visionary leadership of its creative minds. The show not only highlights the brand’s extraordinary success in redefining haute couture but also explores the complexities of leadership and the pressures of maintaining excellence in the high-stakes world of fashion. From this, we can extract several valuable leadership lessons that extend beyond the runway and into any field that requires innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to craft.

If you don’t want to read the full article, here are the key takeaways:

Ultimately, the series reminds us that leadership is a craft in itself — one that requires ongoing dedication, emotional intelligence, and the ability to balance ambition with well-being. Whether in fashion or in business, great leaders, like great designers, understand that their role is not just to produce results but to inspire and elevate those around them. By embracing the lessons from Balenciaga, leaders across industries can refine their approach to leadership, ensuring long-term success while fostering creativity and resilience within their teams.

Passion for Craft: Passionate leaders inspire excellence and set the tone for a culture of dedication.

Attention to Detail: High standards and meticulous attention ensure quality and craftsmanship.

Balancing Innovation and Tradition: Leaders must balance innovation with respect for tradition to succeed.

Resilience: Leadership requires the ability to bounce back from setbacks and instill resilience in teams.

Vision: A clear and compelling vision is essential to unify and motivate a team.

Speaking Up: Leaders must face difficult situations directly, taking responsibility and offering guidance when it matters most.

Emotional Intelligence: Composure under pressure and emotional intelligence are critical to maintaining a positive work environment.

Well-being: Ambition should be balanced with self-care to avoid burnout and ensure sustainable success.

Passion for craft

One of the foremost lessons from Balenciaga is the power of passion. The characters exhibit a deep commitment to their craft, emphasizing that effective leadership often stems from a genuine love for the work. This passion is contagious, inspiring those around them to dedicate themselves fully to their roles. A leader’s dedication to their craft sets the tone for the entire team, cultivating a culture where excellence is not just expected but embraced.

Attention to detail

Leaders in Balenciaga are marked by their obsessive attention to detail, whether it’s the precise cut of fabric or the aesthetic of a collection. This meticulous approach underscores that leadership involves an unwavering commitment to quality. By setting high standards and paying close attention to every element of a project, leaders can ensure that the outcome reflects the highest level of craftsmanship and artistry.

Innovation meets tradition

Balenciaga’s success lies in its ability to marry innovation with tradition — a balance that’s crucial for any leader. In the series, we see the creative director embrace new ideas while respecting the brand’s historical roots. This balance between pushing boundaries and honoring tradition highlights the importance of adaptability in leadership. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean starting from scratch; sometimes it’s about building on a strong foundation to evolve creatively.

Mentorship and collaboration

Throughout the series, mentorship plays a key role in leadership development. Leaders foster collaboration, encouraging team members to learn from each other and grow. This dynamic environment not only enhances individual skills but also strengthens the team as a whole. The series illustrates that a leader’s ability to mentor and cultivate talent is just as important as their creative vision, ensuring that the team thrives in both skill and morale.

Resilience in the face of setbacks

The fashion world is full of highs and lows, and Balenciaga doesn’t shy away from portraying the challenges that come with maintaining a position at the top. Characters face setbacks, whether from creative failures or industry changes, yet resilience remains a core component of their leadership. The series teaches us that successful leaders are those who can bounce back from adversity, remain focused on their goals, and instill this resilience in their teams.

Vision and direction

The power of a clear vision is another central theme in Balenciaga. Leaders who articulate a bold and compelling direction give their teams something to rally behind. In the series, the creative director’s ability to communicate their vision for each collection galvanizes the entire team, showing that leadership involves not just having a vision but sharing it in a way that inspires others to follow.

Embracing change

Balenciaga also highlights the necessity of embracing change, particularly in an industry as fast-moving as fashion. Whether it’s incorporating digital elements into their designs or adapting to shifts in cultural trends, the series showcases leaders who are willing to innovate and evolve. This adaptability is crucial for leadership in any field, demonstrating that flexibility and a forward-thinking mindset are key to long-term success.

Emotional intelligence and composure

Another notable leadership trait portrayed in Balenciaga is the importance of composure and emotional intelligence. The series’ leaders often maintain their calm even under pressure, setting an example for their teams. This emotional restraint fosters a positive and respectful work environment, where conflicts are resolved thoughtfully rather than through heated outbursts. Leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence are more effective at managing both their teams and the challenges they face.

Self-identification and balance

The series delves into the complexities of self-identification, particularly in leadership. Characters grapple with aligning their personal identities with the brand they represent, revealing the struggle of maintaining authenticity while leading a creative enterprise. Balenciaga explores the delicate balance between holding firmly to one’s vision and knowing when to let go — allowing others to contribute without compromising one’s values. This balance is a hallmark of effective leadership, where collaboration does not overshadow individual conviction.

Being seen or not seen as the creator

One of the more profound themes explored in Balenciaga is the conscious decision of whether to be seen — or remain in the background — as the creator. Leaders are often faced with the choice of stepping into the spotlight or letting their work speak for itself. The series showcases how characters navigate this tension, illustrating that leadership involves making intentional choices about visibility. In some instances, characters choose to remain behind the scenes, allowing the brand to take center stage, while in others, they step forward as the face of the vision. This decision impacts not only the public perception of the brand but also the internal dynamics of the team. Effective leaders understand when it’s beneficial to be seen and when it’s more powerful to let the work speak for itself, striking a balance between personal recognition and collective achievement.

Speaking up in difficult situations

In the series, there are multiple incidents where Balenciaga’s leadership is challenged by the need to address difficult situations. For example, when the fashion house undergoes layoffs, instead of addressing the staff personally, the leader delegates the task to the house manager. This decision later comes under scrutiny as the house manager reflects that the staff, many of whom had devoted their lives to the brand, were looking for leadership during this difficult time. She points out that while making difficult announcements is unpleasant, a leader must be present in both good times and bad. Another incident occurs when the brand faces public criticism but chooses to remain silent rather than issuing a statement. These situations illustrate that leadership involves stepping up and taking responsibility, especially in moments of adversity. Being a leader means facing tough conversations head-on and offering reassurance and direction when it’s needed the most.

The cost of restlessness

Finally, Balenciaga touches on the theme of restlessness and its costs. While ambition drives the characters to innovate and push boundaries, it also leads to burnout, strained relationships, and personal sacrifices. The series serves as a reminder that unchecked ambition, though often a catalyst for progress, can have detrimental effects if not balanced with self-care and reflection. Leadership requires not only pushing for excellence but also recognizing the importance of pacing oneself and ensuring well-being along the way.

Leadership as art and discipline

The series Balenciaga provides a captivating look at the intersection of leadership and creativity, illustrating that both demand a fine balance between vision and flexibility, passion and restraint, innovation and tradition. The leadership lessons drawn from the series are as relevant to the boardroom as they are to the fashion studio: effective leaders cultivate resilience, foster collaboration, and pay meticulous attention to detail while remaining adaptable to change.

#leadership-re[framed] by Roman Schoeneboom offers valuable knowledge that extends beyond traditional design leadership. Articles in this publication explore unconventional areas and demonstrate how seemingly unrelated fields can provide crucial insights for emerging leaders.