International Women's Day Feature: Mollie Jean De Dieu, General Manager of Longchamp Southeast Asia and Founder of Ei

Mollie Jean De Dieu, a multi-hyphenate, is not merely a lady of substance; she is committed to fostering a more compassionate work environment.

Mollie Jean De Dieu, the General Manager of Longchamp and a mother of two, has managed to establish Emotional Inclusion, an NGO promoting mental wellness in contemporary workplaces. In overseeing a premium fashion firm with determination and resilience, she considers the emotional well-being of her employees. She desires organizations to begin addressing the broader context and to perceive mental health from a medical perspective. Human capital is essential in the contemporary workforce, and organizations may forfeit valuable talent due to inadequate emotional well-being if they fail to recognize the early indicators.

Despite her demanding schedule, she allocated time to converse with Luxuo.com to impart her perspectives on being a woman in the contemporary workforce. She articulated the essential attributes she believes are necessary for survival in the contemporary corporate landscape.

Jean De Dieu asserts that to thrive in the corporate realm, the contemporary woman must embrace her identity, steadfastly uphold her principles, be true to herself, and exhibit courage in revealing her vulnerabilities, as these qualities render her relatable and genuine. She must perpetually embody curiosity, as it is the counterpart of humility. She must undoubtedly possess strong communication skills and avoid the pitfalls of comparison, as it is indeed the thief of pleasure.

Jean De Dieu wishes to see a transformation in the prevailing fear of women to voice their opinions in a male-dominated culture. She believes women ought to demonstrate courage in the workplace. “There is nothing more beautiful or powerful than women supporting one another; we all contribute to the establishment of this sisterhood support network, where women encourage other women,” she articulates regarding her vision of an ideal working environment.

Image: Beatrice Contrini

Furthermore, Jean De Dieu believes that men and women vary in that women are more attuned to their intuition. She describes this as the "magical sixth sense" – an instinctual intuition that indicates whether an action is correct or incorrect. She asserts that this may be women's most significant superpower, functioning as an exceptional internal compass that directs them in making prompt selections.

Contemporary society prominently features working women. Their dual job — as a mother and a professional — revolves upon balancing career and family responsibilities. The era in which women had to choose between their jobs and motherhood is ended. Jean De Dieu thinks that contemporary working women ought to serve as exemplars for the younger generation. These women are challenging conventions, advocating for diversity, and deserve commendation for achieving a commendable work-life balance. As we transition into a more digital era, cultures and governments are evolving to become increasingly progressive and compassionate, and she is eager to observe the developments that will ensue.

She has spent 15 years at Longchamp in Asia and feels both proud and humbled to be associated with the company. The modest General Manager of Longchamp is privileged to collaborate with the third and fourth generations of the family-owned enterprise. She asserts that the company's principles are authentic, optimistic, humanistic, sincere, and dynamic. Crucially, Longchamp upholds sustainable principles, which, in conjunction with the company's beliefs, resonate profoundly with Jean De Dieu.

Jean De Dieu's paramount counsel for the emerging generation of women in the workforce: "Embrace your authentic self, even if it entails being unconventional; your sensitivity is your greatest strength and ally." One cannot postpone happiness until life ceases to be challenging. What is postponed is not rejected. Furthermore, do not permit others to dictate your capabilities or limitations. You possess greater strength and capability than you perceive.

What are her predictions for Longchamp over the next five years? Jean De Dieu exclaims, “As a formidable family-owned Maison that they undoubtedly are!” Longchamp acknowledges the significance of forging an alliance with time, with 'longevity' in business consistently being a paramount priority. The continuity and rejuvenation throughout generations will ensure that la Maison Longchamp remains a formidable presence in a commercial environment dominated by large corporations acquiring brands.

Image: Beatrice Contrini

Furthermore, Jean De Dieu is pleased with her Emotional Inclusion initiative, which promotes mental wellness in the workplace. She is advocating for a diverse workforce. “I assert that Emotional Intelligence (EI) pertains to the comprehension of how to recognize and regulate one’s own emotions, as well as those of others, while Emotional Inclusion (Ei) focuses on the implementation of practices that ensure organizations genuinely care for the humanity of their personnel by employing a clinical psychologist to facilitate sustainable organizational development.” We are developing a comprehensive program and application specifically for that purpose, and the most advantageous aspect is that it is effective.

Her resolve has driven her to establish these focused digital projects to address these aspects. Her significant advocacy efforts encompass a series of interview podcasts featuring global corporate executives, 'movers and shakers,' to explore emotional inclusion and mental health in the workplace.

In addition to the Ei programme, Jean De Dieu advocates for organizations to prioritize mental health within their companies. Moreover, she elucidates that 90 percent of employees continue to be apprehensive about expressing their true feelings due to the fear of being categorized as 'unprofessional' or, even more detrimentally, 'weak' in the contemporary corporate environment. Although leaders lack licensure as psychologists, they can dedicate time to genuinely listen to their staff.

To foster productivity and innovation, it is essential to cultivate settings conducive to employee prosperity. Jean De Dieu asserts the significance of maintaining such dialogues within the contemporary employment environment. She cites a recent Bupa survey: Fifty-eight percent of senior corporate leaders report that discussing mental health is challenging in their roles. In light of the ongoing epidemic, it is imperative for organizations to acknowledge and embrace human emotions in the workplace, which can enhance overall corporate performance and employee well-being.

Whom does she currently regard as a role model woman? She admires individuals who articulate the truth and courageously pursue unconventional routes. Examples include Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, Brené Brown, Katharine Hepburn, and Coco Chanel. She respects their conviction, fortitude, steadfast dedication, and faith in their endeavors and principles. Such autonomous women are audacious and courageous, and their contributions to society are ones that Jean De Dieu esteems and aspires to emulate.