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Leadership: Lessons Learned From My Grandmother
A positive and joyous heart is important in leadership.
by Brigitte Peleman-Vantieghem, CEO, Peleman Industries
September 8, 2008
I
was fortunate to come from a family of very strong women.
Out of all the females who took part in my upbringing, my grandmother, Theodolinda Mugnai,
most inspired me to be a leader. Even though opportunities for women were limited back in her
youth, her courage and positive attitude during challenging times exemplified that inner strength I
believe all women possess.
Keeping your chin up, giving to those in need, and recognizing life's opportunities were
lessons she instilled in me at a young age. They've proven to be very useful to me in my position
as CEO and are central to being good leader.
The Glass Is Always Half Full
When I was a little girl, my grandmother would tell me stories about living in Italy during
World War II. Looking back as an adult, I find myself in awe of her and the adversity she endured.
Nothing I've ever gone through in business or everyday life compares.
But all of my grandmother's stories had a central lesson to them, primarily to always look
on the bright side of things. In spite of what she went through, she always had this constant
positive attitude about everything, and I think that's essential to being successful. It was from
her that I learned that every situation you face is an opportunity to learn, and no matter how bad
things seem, you should always keep a positive and joyful heart.
When Opportunity Knocks, Answer
Another life lesson I credit to my grandmother is to never give up and to grab opportunities
as soon as I see them.
In 2006, the digital-imaging market was in full swing, and I couldn't help but feel that our
company's line of binding machines and accessories would cater well to the rise of photo books.
Branching out into the retail sector was a risk (Peleman traditionally operated B-to-B), but I also
saw it as an opportunity ... one that my grandmother would want me to take advantage of.
Today, Peleman Industries works with firms such as Apple, a partnership that has opened the
door to relationships with other companies, including Kodak, Fuji, Shutterfly, Ritz Camera and CVS.
Create a Family Environment
In everything I do, I try to incorporate the lessons my grandmother taught me, and the
importance of family was one of them. As a mother of two children, she was forced to run from the
Germans to protect her family, all the while struggling with the loss of her husband.
Being a woman in business really is my second job; being a wife and mother has always been
my first priority. But I believe that being nurturing to your employees also is a key to leading a
strong staff. Everything from celebrating their achievements within the company to mourning with
them during a difficulty in their personal lives is essential to strengthening a team's bond. I
make my company an extension of my immediate family.
Give and Receive Respect
I have two boys, and at the end of every day, I ask them to tell me at least one positive
thing they experienced, something I also do regularly with my employees.
Once a month, I gather everyone in the office for some light refreshments, and they take
turns going around the room stating something good that's going on in their lives outside the
office. Running a good corporation really boils down to respect. This starts with something as
simple as knowing the cleaning person' name, to asking your employees how their families are doing.
Never ask someone to do something you'd never do yourself.
Brigitte
Peleman-Vantieghem is CEO of Pelemn Industries in North America, a Belgium-based company that
manufactures binding, laminating and presentation products. Since she founded the U.S. operations
in 1998, it has grown from two persons to more than 60 employees. In addition, she has expanded the
company's focus to include a retail presence, Unibind PhotoBook Creator, which is sold online as
well as in retail office supply chains. An attorney with a master's degree in law from the
University of Brussels and Katholic University Leuven, Peleman-Vantieghem and her husband have two
sons.
