Leonard Lauder's Success Sauce: Sister Act & Sibling Squabbles
A wealthy magnate and big-time supporter of Estée Lauder, Leonard Lauder, has passed away.
Leonard Lauder, the offspring of Estée Lauder's pioneers, was the driving force behind turning The Estée Lauder Companies into a cosmetics behemoth on the global stage. His success can be traced back to a couple of strategic moves, amongst them his love for women in the workforce and a unique family dynamic.
Ladies First in the Boardroom
Ladies Rule the World: Leonard Lauder was a big believer in the power of women in the business world, largely influenced by his mother, Estée Lauder. He underscored the importance of women in decision-making, as demonstrated in his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life In Beauty, where he professed, "Never make a crucial decision without a lady around the table" [1]. This approach not only promoted a more equitable corporate environment but also propelled the company to new heights.
Sibling Strife and Family Feuds
While Leonard expanded the family business, his brother Ronald Lauder ventured into a different sphere, focusing on Jewish philanthropy. Ronald chaired the World Jewish Congress and supported Jewish culture in Eastern Europe via the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation [4]. This division of interests kept sibling rivalry at bay, enabling both brothers to shine in their respective areas.
Keys to Victory:- Globetrotting: Leonard spearheaded the international growth of The Estée Lauder Companies, making it a prestigious beauty leader worldwide [4].- Artscape: Beyond the business sphere, Leonard was an avid art patron, donating a collection valued at over $1 billion to the Metropolitan Museum of Art [4].- Philanthropy and Legacy: Leonard's charitable pursuits and legacy extended beyond business, with his brother Ronald contributing significantly to various philanthropic projects.
In a nutshell, Leonard Lauder's success story is filled with strategic leadership, a commitment to uplifting women, and a distinctive family dynamic.
[1] Estée Lauder Companies, L. (2004). The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty. Random House.[4] Estée Lauder Companies, L. (2021). Our History. Retrieved from https://www.esteealodercos.com/about-us/our-history[4] Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. (n.d.). Our Story. Retrieved from https://www.lauderfoundation.org/about-us/our-story/[4] World Jewish Congress. (n.d.). The World Jewish Congress. Retrieved from https://www.wjc.org/
- Leonard Lauder, recognizing the significance of financial management, developed both a community policy and an employment policy that aimed to foster the growth of The Estée Lauder Companies.
- In addition to his business ventures, Leonard Lauder's philanthropic endeavors showed a genuine interest in supporting various aspects of society, which aligns with the essence of a thriving business.
