The 8th EVE International seminar has begun! After a warm welcome from Anne Thevenet-Abitbol, Editorial and Artistic Director, Christine Descamps, Executive Producer of the EVE Program, and Valérie Hernandez-Amalou (who presented the community and its networks), participants were given an introduction to the basics of the balanced leadership program, whose aim is to “help women gain confidence, and help men become more aware”. In order achieve this goal, the seminar addresses the mind, the body and the heart, with alternating periods of inspiration and respiration. Because the program is based on the premise that if we are to transform our companies, we’re going to need stronger, more balanced individuals who are able to carry out that change.
Duly noted!
For centered leadership, with Joanna Barsh
Joanna Barsh, Director Emeritus at McKinsey & Company
and author of How Remarkable Women Lead, got the ball rolling with a lively plenary session, during which she presented how she views “centered leadership”. Drawing on your strengths, working on your fears and eliminating obstacles, inspiring and nurturing confidence, engaging other people generously and constantly replenishing your energy, these are the five pillars of this sustainable approach to relationships with others in general, and managerial relationships in particular.
Changing how you handle stereotypes, with Patrick Scharnitzky
After a break for an encounter with Qi Gong led by Juliann Liu, Patrick Scharnitzky took the stage to address the thorny issue of gender stereotyping. To understand how stereotypes sometimes make us do things that go against our values, he turns to neuroscience: cognitive biases arise from the workings of the “fast brain”, which seeks out not accuracy but comfort. So let’s get uncomfortable and stop allowing categories to think and decide on our behalf. Let’s ask new questions, open our eyes, nurture our curiosity, and multiply the paths that our fast brain can take.
Dare to go beyond established models, with Barbara Lavernos
Two workshop sessions later, and participants were once again brought together at the Grange au Lac to hear what Barbara Lavernos, Chief Operating Officer, and member of L’Oréal’s ComEx had to say. She is currently responsible for driving the Group’s entire global value chain, and during her presentation she put forward her vision of leadership. Barbara Lavernos believes that nobody is a natural born leader (with an innate talent for the science of management) nor can anyone be a manufactured leader (and programmed to follow formatted training programs to the letter). There are leaders who are inspired by accessible role models (and not superwomen!) and who dare to truly be themselves.
Mindfulness to reconnect with your deep-rooted values, with Martial Vidaud
Martial Vidaud, an expert in Mindfulness, then introduced participants to the approach that was formalized by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and which is now especially applicable when it comes to restoring personal balance in a hyperconnected world. Memory, concentration, mood, a willingness to help others, quality of listening and therefore quality of performance are all directly improved by this “respiration” technique.
Honoring the humble heroes, with Frédérique Bedos
The first day of EVE wrapped up with a two-part session led by Frédérique Bedos. A few years ago, this internationally renowned journalist launched the Imagine project, a philanthropic movement that draws the spotlight onto the humble heroes who change the world without making the headlines. The project was inspired by the life of her own parents, who were activists for the NGO Terre des Hommes, and who adopted around 20 children who were considered to be “unadoptable”. Her lesson in life and hope was extended with the screening of the film Des femmes et des hommes (women and men), which highlights the situations of women around the world, and those who are taking action to change them
There are more than 2,800 members in the EVE community.
A mobile app and a webmagazine (a leading media tool focusing on women’s leadership with contributions from more than 70 influencers around the world that draws 40,000 readers each month) are the two gateways to this community.
And the community extends to the social networks: Twitter, to get real time updates on all the latest news about balanced leadership, Facebook, to share experiences, ideas and favourite stories; LinkedIn, to exchange best practices and draw inspiration from partners’ initiatives; Youtube, to find videos and Instagram to see pictures from the seminars.
