Let your values be your guide...

Sandra has been at LVMH for almost fifteen years, holding several HR positions. She is now Sephora Global HR Director.

If you could give a career advice to your twenty-year-old self, what would it be?

To express myself and my thoughts, and give my opinions. I would have liked someone to tell me to be daring, because being daring is the only way you can find the right path. You need to have ambition for yourself, because no one else can have it for you. You can’t hang around waiting for someone to come along and notice you. You have to find your inner voice, have confidence in yourself, and not apologize for being who you are. You have to ask yourself the right questions: What do you want out of your career? What do you want out of life? What strengths can you use along the way? That’s what makes us grow.

The real secret to success, I’ve found, is being able to take risks, get out of your comfort zone, be curious and surround yourself with the right people. You also need to strike a balance between your professional and personal lives. Ten years ago, you could keep them separate. Today, they’re intricately intertwined. We’re always on show and we’re always connected. Finding a balance can be tricky. You have to approach it according to what’s right for your personality, your wants and your needs. You also have to remember that the perfect life-work balance doesn’t exist. The key is to focus on your own wellbeing.

How important is it to find the right mentor?

Mentoring is vital because it allows you to share and exchange thoughts without being judged; it allows you to understand what’s expected of you and to discover ways forward that you might not have realized exist. It’s not about finding a specific program, just meeting someone you can have a sincere relationship with. You need to be open towards others and look around you. Just like with your personal life, you have to take things into your own hands. Look for someone you can trust. Don’t wait for someone to come to you.

What should you do when the going gets tough?

Like everyone, I’ve had my fair share of hurdles in both my personal and professional lives. You just have to tell yourself that once it’s all over you’ll be changed, for the better no doubt, and that you’ll be stronger. To get the most out of the learning curve, I do have one piece of advice, though: Never ever sacrifice your values. Even if you think it’ll help you to get through things faster. Your values are your guide.

Also, it can be difficult to resolve your problems without the help of people around you, so don’t hesitate to turn to your family, your close circle of friends and your closest workmates. With my teams, I try to create a culture of problem-sharing so that everyone can get support when they need it.