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Let’s talk about courage with Marie-Josée Gagnon

Is your company courageous? How brave are your bosses? Marie-Josée Gagnon was interviewed by Montreal business journalist and blogger, Diane Bérard about corporate bravery to mark the end of the first year of Brave (web site in English soon). Let us know what you think!

Marie-Josée Gagnon interviews Anie Rouleau of Baleco during a Brave Event

What role does courage play in our lives and those of companies?*

For most of us, this is “what we often miss to live the life we are destined for,” said Marie-Josée Gagnon, president and founder of the communications and public relations firm, Casacom. Marie-Josée explored courage through eight meetings with entrepreneurs and executives. The series “Brave” took place between October and June 2018 (visit braveinspiration.com to listen to the podcasts).

For 17 years, Marie-Josée has advised leaders in their communication plan, when the sun shines as, well as when the storm rages.

In front of journalists like me, these leaders always show themselves in their best light. “Never let them see you sweat …”, they say.

Marie-Josée sees behind their mask. I wanted to know what she sees that I do not have access to. Here is the result of our discussion on the subject of ‘courage’.

Why does ‘courage’ interest you?
I meet so many dissatisfied people. Their lives seem to be on track, but nothing more. This is not exactly what they aspire to be. I wondered, why do I feel differently. I came to the conclusion that I owe it to courageous actions which have taken me elsewhere, on my “x”.

Why does the Brave series only feature women? Do you find women more courageous than men?
That was a gesture of courage on my part! The decision to focus on women for this platform was a difficult one. Men are welcome in the room, but I think women still have a long way to go before they’re “there,” so you have to give them a boost. It takes courage to dive in when everything is not perfect, when you aren’t able to control everything. Perfectionism is a more feminine than masculine trait. I believe that if I want to influence women to activate their courage, we have to give them stories of women who have done it and shown bravery.

Individuals can be brave, companies too. What does a non-courageous company deprive herself?
She misses her destiny. Take the case of Ultima Foods which lost the Yoplait brand in December 2010. In a few months, they launched a new brand, iögo. I saw this team tap into all the courage they had and go get all her energy reserves. Entrepreneurship was already in her DNA, but for this project, the step was very high.

How do you activate the fibre of courage in your clients?
It’s always easier when I have an unsatisfied leader in front of me. If I work with an executive who feels comfortable, it’s more of a challenge. In both cases, I explain the worst that can happen. “If you do not do that, here’s what could happen.” We advise, and the client makes the decision. This is the reality of consulting.

What is the basic courage gesture for a company?
Look at yourself and find what makes you truly unique. It is an exercise of authenticity. Some clients start it, but they give up. It is demanding. You have to meet the stakeholders. Ask real questions. Be ready to accept the answers. Companies that go all the way gets a compass. When they reach their essence, they can decide more easily in the presence of doubt. In front of an important or difficult decision, they say, “Is it me? Is it us? “

Your communications / public relations firm has existed for 17 years, how has the courage of companies and their leaders evolved?
Generally, we find that leaders do not like talking to reporters any more than they did 17 years ago! On the other hand, however, I see that there is more transparency now and meetings with stakeholders are more frequent than before. I think of this great American company that has come to explore the Quebec market. The leaders were terrorized by our “French language policy” (Office of the French language) … I proposed to them a meeting to separate their fears from the reality. They were very nervous to meet them. They came out relieved and satisfied after the discussion.

What is the ultimate form of courage for an entrepreneur / leader?
Building a company based on your values while society is not ready to follow you. I think of Anie Rouleau, who founded Baléco, the green cleaning products company, and Nathalie Tremblay, who founded Marmott Énergies, a geothermal solutions firm. These women fight every day because the values they defend are not yet imbued by society. Every day is a challenge, a test of their stamina and determination. There are many opportunities to give up, to compromise but they stand strong and courageous.

And lack of courage?
Board members who do not ask the real questions because they are afraid of being rejected, fall out of favor and will no longer be part of the group.

“We are all responsible for the integrity of the news,” you say. What is the role of leaders in this issue?
We must all fight against false news. Leaders, meanwhile, must agree to deal with what is uncomfortable. They must face what is happening in their organization and communicate it clearly, with humanity and empathy. It must be said, then remains the way to structure the message, of course.

You say that 10% of the leaders you accompany choose not to communicate. Does their business necessarily fare worse?
I must admit that some companies do well without transparency. Why? Some people are said to ‘always land on their feet’. Companies have dozens of legs and count on their employees. The potential to bounce back is greater. That being said, I remain convinced that the company that does not have the courage to communicate, misses an opportunity to become a better version of itself. Not to communicate is not to connect. We come back to the beginning of our conversation — just like the individual, a company that lacks courage, has a correct life, rather than the extraordinary fate it could achieve.

 

*Translation and transcription of an article by Diane Bérard published on Les Affaires web site on July 9 2018.

 

Noémi Foucault About the author
nfoucault@casacom.ca
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