Leading with Empathy — What Fashion Taught Me About People
Leadership in fashion isn’t about control; it’s about connection. As someone who was an assistant manager, I learned that how you treat your team determines the energy customers feel the moment they walk in.
The best leaders I’ve met aren’t the loudest — they’re the ones who make people feel valued. I used to think leadership was about being in charge; now I know it’s about taking responsibility for how others grow around you.
In fashion retail, empathy matters as much as trend awareness. A kind word during a stressful shift or noticing when someone’s overwhelmed can transform a team dynamic.
Empathetic leadership creates ripple effects — stronger trust, better communication, and more authentic services.
If I could give one piece of advice: lead with compassion. It’s the only thing that never goes out of style.
Doina Ciobanu — She’s a fashion influencer, creative director and sustainability advocate whose content often transcends “just style” to speak about community, values, and purpose.
“The way I envision it is for Wolford to become a pioneer of sustainability, while also showing that sustainability can be beautiful, it can be stylish, it can be sexy,” ”
