In her book Beyond the Label, Maureen Chiquet, the former global CEO of Chanel charts her unlikely path from literature major to global chief executive, guiding readers to move beyond the confines of staid expectations and discover their own true paths, strengths, and leadership values.
Driven. Shy. Leader. Wife. Mother. We live in a world of categories — labels designed to tell the world, and ourselves, who we are and ought to be. Some we may covet, others we may fear or disdain; but creating a life that’s truly your own, means learning to define yourself on your own terms.
In Beyond the Label, Maureen Chiquet charts her unlikely path from literature major to global chief executive. Sharing the inklings, risks and (re)defining moments that have shaped her exemplary career, Chiquet seeks to inspire a new generation of women, liberal arts grads, and unconventional thinkers to cultivate a way of living and leading that is all their own. Through vivid storytelling and provocative insights, Chiquet guides readers to consider the pressing questions and inherent paradoxes of creating a successful, fulfilling life in today’s increasingly complex and competitive world. Wise, inspiring, and deeply felt, Beyond the Label is for anyone who longs for a life without limits on who she is or who she will become.
Author quotes
I wrote this book to startup a new conversation, to open up the aperture through which we look at the world. I want us to reconsider what it means to be a woman, a mentor, a wife, a mother. I am tired of hearing about ‘glass ceilings’ or being expected to act like a man to get ahead.
I wrote this book for those of you who are tired of trying to squeeze into constrained categories, who long for integration and wholeness in everything you do, without limits on who you are or who you will become.
Every one of us has a unique journey. By sharing my decidedly non linear road map, I hope to help you find and follow your own. It’s time to move beyond labels.
About the author
Maureen Chiquet began her career in marketing at L’Oreal Paris in 1985. She has worked at The Gap, helped launch Old Navy, and was president of Banana Republic before becoming COO and President of US operations of Chanel in 2003. In 2007 she became its first Global CEO, where she oversaw the business and brand’s world-wide expansion. She left Chanel in 2016 to focus on writing, speaking, and developing new leadership initiatives. She is a Trustee to the Yale Corporation and fellow of Yale University, where she graduated in 1985.
Why LoA loves it….
As women entrepreneurs we have to forge our own paths and create our own unique ways of doing things when building our businesses. In her book, Beyond the Label, Maureen Chiquet gives us an insightful look at how she developed her own unique leadership style in business, finding her confidence and achieving incredible success along the way. She provides a wealth of practical advice and inspiration for all those women looking to do the same on their own terms. It’s a great read. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa