Chanel CEO Leena Nair on compassionate leadership

Leena Nair, Chanel’s first Indian-origin CEO, recently shared a video on LinkedIn of her appearance at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. In the video, Nair reflects on her leadership journey and the core values ​​that have shaped her career.

During her conversation with Ayesha Karnik for the series “View From The Top”, Nair emphasized the importance of leading with empathy and compassion in the business world. She posted a short clip of the discussion on LinkedIn, providing insight into her approach to leadership.

Reflecting on her leadership philosophy, Nair emphasized the importance of ‘compassionate leadership’ as a powerful guiding principle. “Compassionate leadership was one of the many topics discussed during my View From The Top interview at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business,” Nair wrote in the caption of her post.

Nair discussed how kindness, empathy and a commitment to listening to every voice in the room have been integral in shaping her approach to business.

“I really believe in benevolence, in kindness, in compassion, in empathy. In business you have to do difficult things, but it is very important to do it with compassion. When I’m in a meeting, I want to listen to every voice in the room. I really believe in collective intelligence. Everyone’s voice matters. Not just those who can talk loudly, but everyone. For me, different perspectives are important,” she says.

Her advocacy for “collective intelligence” – a leadership style that values ​​every perspective – challenged traditional models and inspired viewers.

“We don’t see enough role models like that. So for me it’s really important that I establish a leadership style that is about compassion and empathy,” she said.

About Leena Nair

Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Leena Nair’s journey from humble beginnings to the helm of renowned French luxury brand Chanel is a testament to her exceptional leadership and determination. Throughout her career, she has broken barriers and achieved countless milestones, making her a pioneer in the business world.

Before joining Chanel, Nair made history as the youngest-ever Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s global people strategy. Her impressive career has earned her widespread recognition, including being named one of *Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women* in 2021.

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