Avon CEO emphasizes leadership, social responsibility

The Daily Princetonian

Andrea Jung ’79, CEO of the cosmetics company Avon Products and a former University trustee, spoke about the “six principles of leadership” and social responsibility to a crowd of students in Dodds Auditorium yesterday afternoon.

Jung, who was the fourth woman to become the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and has for several years been named one of the top 50 most powerful women in business by Forbes Magazine, listed the principles of passion, people, perseverance, personal humility, pride and purpose as critical to both successful business leadership and personal development.

Raising the example of individuals like Apple Inc., CEO Steve Jobs to underscore the importance of personal humility, Jung said that though he was a “genius,” Jobs was never shy about admitting his mistakes. This is important, because it allows people to do better, Jung said.

Jung attributed her success in the business world to performing tasks and seeking responsibilities not required of her. She added that as a manager, she sometimes challenges promising employees by promoting them before they feel ready.

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