Gesture, craftsmanship, presence.

Expressing the qualities of performance and everlasting impact

Leaders balance between resistance to temptation and ascendance to the moment. They ignore the impulse to put personal ambition first as they rise to the occasion thrust upon them. Leaders are made of confidence and persuasive range, not self-absorption and connivance. For followers, there is the uncomfortable realization, at times, that the people in leadership roles are not qualified or their better qualities are subsumed by their thirst for power in all its forms — influence, limelight, financial wealth. As the real imposters in the enterprise, they posture through false humility and empty bravado, which is easy in a world of artificial message manipulation. Genuine leaders find the opportunity present in every occasion — crisis or celebration — to stay on course to results and endurance. They keep all eyes on the prize, exemplifying respect for process and the people who man it. They see a continuum of stakeholders to satisfy and to join in universal revelry over a job well done.

Dressmaker (La Couturière). Edouard Vuillard. 1894. Color lithograph on wove paper. Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection. National Gallery of Art.

Azzedine Alaïa’s love Of Christian Dior

Carla Sozzani in conversation with Emily Phillips. Azzedine taught me to look at garments not as possessions, but as testimonies of time, of culture, of creation. He gave me the awareness that a collection is a responsibility: to preserve, to understand, and to transmit. … Azzedine used to say “every day I wake up wondering what I will learn today”… He was right. … for both Christian Dior and Azzedine Alaia each dress carried the gesture of the couturier, the craftsmanship of the atelier and the presence of the woman who would wear it.

The case for optimism in uncertain times

Yuval Atsmon. In the face of uncertainty, optimism oriented toward a longer time horizon is valuable and fundamental. It does not deny what we don’t know, but begins by acknowledging uncertainty with humility. Many influential figures have argued, correctly, I think, that long-term optimism is not just descriptive, it’s generative: it helps to shape a better future by motivating the search for solutions. … Optimism in the face of uncertainty does not ignore risk. It acknowledges that the path forward will most likely include serious challenges and unforeseen crises. But it also accepts that uncertainty cuts both ways: Just as new and unknown risks may emerge, so too may new solutions we cannot yet imagine.

Five principles of energetic success

Rebecca Ahmed. Constructive energy fosters productivity, creativity, and a sense of fulfillment among employees. When leaders embrace positive personal energy, their positivity becomes infectious and leads to a vibrant and engaged workplace culture. Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.

Healthy brands begin with strategic integrity

By yours truly in Branding Strategy Insider. An intact ethos of integrity uses strategy to constrain the weaker aspects of human leaders — instead of merely relying on the leaders to be good.