Stilettos in the Boardroom

Brene Brown is not afraid to talk about vulnerability. And she has found a very receptive audience. In her Ted talk (5.6 million views and climbing) she gives us all permission to be a little less bulletproof. And a lot more honest. 

So with that in mind, I will say that I found the Ted talk more inspiring than the book. The book was a little too self-help for me (admittedly I have a low threshold) but I don’t regret reading it.

The book is chook full of very entertaining annecdotes and is well written. If the Ted talk resonates with you, I wouldn’t feel shy about downloading a copy for a read. Especially if you fall in the “people-pleasing” camp or need a little poke in the direction of standing up for yourself. Which I think many of us do from time to time. I certainly know I do.

On more than one occasion, the question of “office appropriate” shoes stumps me. Having started out in a law firm (tres professional) then migrating into the video game space (tres casual) and finally the advertising industry (tres fabulous) - my own rules have evolved. So when it came to my most recent acquisition, pictured, I really struggled with the collision of two of my rules: no open toe and never too high.

Let’s start by establishing that these rules have flexibility. Also, given that I am 5.11 barefoot, the height rule does adjust based on your own ummm stature. But, that aside, what is the right filter?

The best approach I can advise is twofold: WWAD (what would Anna Wintour do) cross-referenced with WCWW (would a construction worker feel the need to whistle/catcall/etc). Anna would wear open toe but she would keep the heel low and otherwise dress somewhat demurely (but insanely well). And if you think you look HOT (vs. fabulous) keep the shoes for evening.

The heel on these shoes makes them a little more conservative but, ultimately there are some offices/meetings where I will revert to my base rules. But rest assured, these bad boys will be worn. 

One of my pet peeves (and I’m generally a pretty positive person) is getting irrelevant, clearly mass-intended, emails from companies I love. Because if I don’t love you I’ve already unsubscribed.

So why does my beloved Bergdorf Goodman, creator of the wonderous Shoe Salon app, decide that it’s ok to get email marketing so wrong. No BG - these are not shoes I am interested in (maybe the McQueen but no, not in Olive) and, seriously BG, they are not even my size.

You’ve worked hard to get your consumers to tune into your messaging. So don’t undo it all with sloppy communication. We will turn you off in a digital moment.

Anyone that spends any time with me is aware of my obsession with the amazing Garance Dore. Not only is she a shining example of a digital star, Garance is 100% authentic. She makes no overtures to be someone she is not. She is fabulous and she is honest. I just adore this picture from Harper’s Australia - a rarity where she is in front of the camera. But look behind the picture and she’ll tell you how impractical this look really is and how “it took four people to get this scarf on my head”. No pretention, no bullshit - just Garance.

You know those young people, that just ooze talent, this is one of them. 

This coat is just too fabulous for words…