The Three Cs: Candor, Change, and Community with Leslie Jane Seymour
In this episode of NYWICI’s podcast, Womenheard: Changemakers host Georgia Galanoudis reconnects with Lesley Jane Seymour, founder and CEO of CoveyClub.com. Seymour first joined our podcast in 2023—and now she’s back with updates and her trademark honesty! The former editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, Seymour has been at the editorial helm of beloved and influential magazines such as Vogue, Women’s Wear Daily, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, YM, Redbook, and More. She launched CoveyClub.com, a lifelong learning community empowering women ages 40+, in 2017.
Listen to this episode for insights on entrepreneurship and knowing when to make a change. Here are some of the key themes that you can expect to pop up in the conversation.
CANDOR
Seymour knew since childhood that she was destined to be a great leader (or “bossy,” as her mom put it). She understood early on in her career the type of leader she wanted to be by first understanding who she did not want to be: She didn’t work well under micro-managers, so she chose to not become one. “I decided I was going to be hands-off completely, except if you need me,” she says. She was open with colleagues about that and sought to create the same environment everywhere she went throughout her career. And the people followed her, some from magazine to magazine. It’s about being part of a team, Seymour says, rather than just being told what to do. “That’s why people came to work for me—because they were going to learn and they were going to grow. That, to me, is the whole beauty of work. If you’re just going to go somewhere and be a cog in the wheel, then you can do that anywhere. If you’re an intelligent, creative person, that’s going to get old really fast.”
CHANGE
“This is my stage. I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m having a great time,” Seymour says about her current life in New Orleans. She recognizes, with full candor, that she doesn’t know what direction she’s headed, but she’s enjoying the journey. She encourages listeners to do the same and try that thing that’s been on their mind, even if they don’t know where it will lead.
COMMUNITY
When your environment changes, so can your community. An openness to meet new people may transform your dreams into a reality you never thought possible. Whether you’re ready to take the leap to meet new people, or you prefer to maintain your current circle, Seymour emphasizes the importance of connection, especially under uncertain political climates. When in doubt, NYWICI can help, she notes: “People really support each other, and you can really reach out and ask for help. And all of that is so important, and it’s also important to take advantage of it.”
Thank you to Lesley Jane Seymour for joining us! For the full interview, listen to NYWICI’s WomenHeard podcast.
