Skimm'd from the Couch: Lydia Fenet

March 4, 2020

Note to self: always bring a gavel to future meetings. Lydia Fenet always has one in her purse. She’s the Global Director for Strategic Partnerships at Christie’s, and the company’s lead benefit auctioneer. Even if you can’t bring a gavel, she sat down with us to tell us how to apply our own “strike method” and command a room.  

She shares her networking tips, how to apply a “strike method” without a gavel, and the key to getting what you need from your boss. 

You can also pick up a copy of Lydia's book for more of her career advice.

On Networking 101

Carly: It's hard and it can be exhausting to put yourself out there like that. And people come to us for advice all the time. I actually was just talking to a girl yesterday who just is out of college and was trying to get advice on how to network. So very literally, what do you say when you call? What do you say when you email?

Lydia: I would say that the most important thing you want to do when you're networking is distinguish yourself from other people immediately. So what makes you unique? Because you can Google anybody sitting across the table from you. And I think that that's what people lose in the networking element that makes it really difficult for them, because they're trying to play the part of somebody else.

The easiest way to sell is to sell yourself. Because when you're talking about yourself in a way that feels authentic, it doesn't feel uncomfortable.

On Her Strike Method 

Carly: For those that it would maybe be inappropriate to have a gavel with you at all times, how do we apply a strike method?

Lydia: The strike method for me is really just a clarifying moment. The most important thing is it doesn't have to be a physical action. It just has to be that you thought about what your opening sentence is so that you go in and you're ready to literally walk into a pitch knowing what you're gonna say and then you're in it.

On Getting What You Need From Your Boss 

Danielle: When I hear about your experience, you didn't actually leave, but you felt like you had to start applying at other places [and you told your boss that]. Let’s talk about that. Why you felt that way and that it was a strategy that worked for you.

Lydia: The most important thing you can do, especially as someone who's starting in a company, is work with your boss to create your career path. Come to me at your performance review a year before you want something. Because that is usually how long it's gonna take me to get what I need for you. So you want a raise? You want to be the director of the department? Here are the two things you know.

Carly: What about when somebody doesn't know what they want their career path to be?

Lydia: You should be talking to your boss to help figure that out. And you may not ever figure it out. I mean, it may be one of those things that evolves over time. But get your boss invested in your career.

Danielle, Lydia, Carly

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