7 Lessons in Leadership – Mary Kay Style

How many books listed on Amazon talk about ‘lessons in leadership? Not many. Out of the 57,000 ‘leadership books, less than 100 books touch on the topic of ‘lessons.’  Perhaps, we should change that.

I recently did a zoom interview with Global Senior Sales Director and leader in Mary Kay Cosmetics, Jennifer Levers. After speaking with her, I’m convinced we need to add Jennifer’s 7 lessons in leadership – Mary Kay Style to the Amazon roster. This is what she had to say about leadership.

Leadership is a conduit for growth and new learning. We never stop learning, and to grow we have to move into areas we have not lived in before.  As a leader in the cosmetics industry, she has taught herself to lean into “What’s next. “My job,” she says, “is to help people show up for themselves, to lift them and help them stay in their self-confidence and self-worth.

At the core, my job as a leader is to grow the woman looking in the mirror.”

When I asked what she was most proud of she said, “I’m most proud of my personal growth, and my ability to navigate situations, pull myself up quickly and keep moving forward.”

Jennifer Lever’s life story is filled with leadership lessons learned. From being a college student with no career and no money to joining Mary Kay as a consultant, earning 9 pink Cadillacs, and counting. Today she is a global senior sales director leading one of the top Mary Kay sales teams in the country.

While she told me that she has learned many lessons, here are the 7 lessons in leadership that have made the biggest difference in her life and career.

1. Talk less. Listen more
How I communicate has changed. I do a lot more listening, and a lot less talking. Now I hear what people want because of the questions I ask …and the pace at which I ask. It’s important to give people time to answer. Everyone responds at a different pace. I’ve found every person teaches something. You may not want to use what they’ve taught, but you have learned something in the process.

2. Hold the dream
It can be a challenge working with people who don’t necessarily want to stay the course. When people quit it can break your heart. You’ve gotten to know them; you’ve worked with them; stood beside and supported them. But, for whatever reason they don’t want to continue the journey. There are people who just want fast results. They want their reward now without putting in the time. They can’t stay the course because they aren’t holding onto their dream. No matter what is happening around you … you need to hold onto your dream. It’s the dream that feeds you. It’s the dream that keeps you focused.

3. Know the intention
When there is an upset or a project doesn’t work out as planned, I look at the person’s intention. What was their purpose? What were they hoping to achieve? Sometimes, even our best ideas and plans can end up going sideways, and what we didn’t want to have happen, happens. We can always work on changing the results, but it’s what in the person’s heart that counts. What was their intention from the beginning.

4. Know your people
You can’t help people get what they want without knowing who they are. You need to find out what they are working toward. What do they really want? Are they willing to change to get what they want? If the effort is there and if you stay with them, you can get them through as long as they hold onto their dream. I have learned that people will always support what they help create.

5. Be the example
The speed of the leader is the speed of the team. I feel I need to be the #1 sales person in my unit. If I want them to give their best, I need to give my best. What I expect them to do, I expect myself to do. My word is my bond. I live and breathe what I preach to my team.

6. Take the first step
We have a technique we use to help empower people to take action. It’s called ‘3 Seconds of Courage. It encourages us to take the first step … and all it requires is 3 seconds of courage. Approach a stranger in an elevator or dial a number and speak to that person.I’ve built my business on taking the first step and speaking first. I have discovered that it has less to do with making conversation and much more about ‘seeing’ the other person. ‘You are here. I see you”.

7. What you think about, you bring about
I’ve learned from the greats. I’ve learned that you need to constantly, feed your mind with positive training. Build a positive mindset. Your thoughts are powerful. Give yourself time. It’s important to give time to let your mind marinate on your goal. What you think about, you bring about. Practice visualizing what you want. Do the work and put your attention on the outcome you are looking for.

I haven’t spoken with Jennifer since our zoom interview. And, don’t know if she will ever write a book on leadership. But, if and when she does, I’m betting she’ll add her ‘7 lessons in leadership – Mary Kay Style’ to the Amazon collection. Best lessons ever!