The Most Inspiring Career Quotes From Anna Wintour
I joke around all the time that Anna Wintour is my secret mentor. But truthfully, she is! Although I’ve never met her, I have read countless interviews with her and followed her career closely since I was in my 20’s. Whenever I need a little pick me up, I find one of her quotes and use it to help drive me forward.
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, has quite a reputation. Though she’s often perceived as tough and cold (it has long been cited that she was the inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada, a book-turned-movie written by her former personal assistant), she is actually one of the most successful business women in history, and we can learn a lot from her. Wintour began her career in fashion journalism at two British magazines, then moved to the US where she worked for New York and House & Garden. She went back to London to become the editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 1985, then took on the US franchise of the magazine, reportedly breathing new life into what many saw as a dying publication. She has been the editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988. Forbes has called her “The most powerful woman in media and entertainment” and there is no doubt she has made a significant impact on the world.
I thought it would be fun to share a round-up of some of her most inspiring career advice. Whether you’re a boss babe building your empire, or you’re climbing the corporate ladder, let Miss Wintour’s wisdom push you closer to your goals and remind you of your inner power.
On honing your vision. “Just be true to yourself, and listen as much as one is able to to other people whose opinions you respect and look up to but in the end it has to come from you. You can’t really worry too much by looking to the left and the right about what the competition is doing or what other people in your field are doing. It has to be a true vision.”
On trusting your gut. “In the end I do respond to my own instincts. Sometimes they’re successful, and obviously sometimes they’re not. But you have to, I think, remain true to what you believe in.”
On risk taking. “It’s very important to take risks. I think that research is very important, but in the end you have to work from your instinct and feeling and take those risks and be fearless. When I hear a company is being run by a team, my heart sinks, because you need to have that leader with a vision and heart that can move things forward.”
On personal image. “It’s very important to me that I look good when I go out publicly. I like looking at my clothes rack in the morning and deciding what to pick out. I enjoy fashion.”
On setbacks and failures. “Everyone should get sacked at least once. It forces you to look at yourself. It is important to have setbacks because that is the reality of life. Perfection doesn’t exist.”
On being decisive. “I think possibly what people working for one hate the most is indecision. Even if I’m completely unsure, I’ll pretend I know exactly what I’m talking about and make a decision. The most important thing I can do is try and make myself very clearly understood.”
I don’t know about you, but these pearls of wisdom make me want to get out there and get to work. I hope they inspired you the way they inspire me!
XO
Cara