I've always admired Betsey Johnson for her creativity and ability to design and sell unique, whimsical clothes. She has created a style that she herself embodies with her outlandish wardrobe, hair, and makeup. How does she do it? Looking at the areas of leadership: Personal, Organizational, Knowledge, and Cultural, I think Betsey Johnson is most visibly strongest at the Cultural and Personal levels. At the Personal level, Betsey Johnson has confidence in herself and her designs, and she's not afraid to be different. Inc. Magazine even listed her as one of the 25 most Fascinating Entrepreneurs, "for her stylish life." (See: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20040401/25johnson.html). She is perhaps the greatest advertisement for her clothing--when you buy Betsey Johnson clothing, you buy into a piece of her "stylish life" and the whimsical world she creates through her boutiques, website, and designs.
It requires a great deal of strength in the Cultural arena to survive in the fashion industry, especially considering the outlandishness of some of Betsey Johnson's designs. Betsey Johnson was able to break into the competitive fashion industry because she had a strong vision and was able to communicate it to others. Betsey Johnson Inc has thrived because of Johnson's ability to see and predict trends, and her ability to adapt in the broader cultural context to make her clothing marketable year after year.
What's not as immediately obvious is that Betsey Johnson is also a strong leader in the Knowledge and Organization quadrants. She owns her own company, requiring the talent to direct others, make good financial decisions, adapt to the market, and communicate her creative vision. Her technical skills in fashion design are clearly seen in the quality, fit, and creativeness of her clothing.
For more information on Betsey Johnson check out her bio at
http://www.betseyjohnson.com/bio.html
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