Taking action with Christie’s Lydia Fenet, author, auctioneer and Global Director of Strategic Partnerships
by leslierankowfinearts
Lydia Fenet
Christie’s Managing Director, Global Strategic Partnerships
No one knows what the future holds, but you can determine what success looks like in your own life and keep moving forward. The path to success comes from taking action.
RECENTLY POSTED BY LYDIA FENET ON INSTAGRAM DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE DEPTH OF GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY, LYDIA FENET TURNS HER WORDS INTO ACTION. DURING THE TEMPORARY CLOSING OF CHRISTIE’S DOORS, SHE HAS CREATED A SERIES OF ENGAGING AND INFORMATIVE DAILY CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN WHO KEEP MOVING FORWARD. SHE IS DEDICATING HER TIME AND EXPERTISE TO SHARING HER BUSINESS ACUMEN AND SAVVY, ASKING ONLY THAT THOSE WHO CAN, DONATE TO THE RIVER FUND NEW YORK, http://www.river.fund, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT THAT PROVIDES DIRECT EMERGENCY AND CRISIS SERVICES, THE LARGEST FREE-FOOD OUTLET IN THE CITY.
https://www.instagram.com/lydiafenet/
HER MOST RECENT GUESTS INCLUDE ILANA RAIA, A FORMER SKADDEN ARPS ATTORNEY AND FOUNDER OF ETRE, A RESOURCE AND MENTORSHIP PLATFORM FOR YOUNG WOMEN; AMORY McANDREW, A LITIGATOR AND EXPERT ON EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS, ON THE STEPS TO TAKE IF WE ARE LAID OFF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC; AND ALLY LOVE, BROOKLYN NETS IN-ARENA HOST, PELOTON INSTRUCTOR, ADIDAS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR, AND CEO OF LOVE SQUAD, AN ONLINE PLATFORM FOR WOMEN TO CONNECT; AS DIVERSE AND INNOVATIVE A ROSTER OF TODAY’S WOMEN AS ONE COULD HOPE TO FIND.
Lydia Fenet
Author
The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You
THEIR ONE UNIFYING FORCE IS LYDIA FENET, GLOBAL MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND LEAD BENEFIT AUCTIONEER AT CHRISTIE’S AUCTION HOUSE. AUTHOR OF “THE MOST POWERFUL WOMAN IN THE ROOM IS…YOU”, SHE IS A MAGNET FOR OTHER SUCCESSFUL AND DYNAMIC WOMEN WHO ARE CHANGING OUR PERCEPTION OF THE WORKPLACE, THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, AND THE HOME- EVERYWHERE.
LYDIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE LRFA BLOG!
WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR NEGOTIATING MINDSET AND SKILLS?
In my experience, men tend to walk into negotiations with the expectation that if they go into a negotiation with a big number, they will ultimately walk out where they want to be. Once they throw out that number they don’t try to justify what they are asking for – the number is the number and it is up to the person across the table to agree or disagree. Women tend to come in asking for the number that they want to get and then spend thirty minutes explaining why they should receive that amount. It always seems to me that men feel like they deserve more whereas women feel like they are asking for a favor.
HOW DO YOU COUNSEL A WOMAN TO NEGOTIATE AS POWERFULLY AS A MAN BUT STAY WITHIN THE ARENA OF THEIR PERSONALITY AND NATURE?
The most important thing to do is lose the emotion. I have never been in a negotiation with a man where the end result was tears. I have definitely seen that a number of times with women – and I have also been the woman who burst into tears. You need to remember that business is business – and personal is personal.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS YOU HAVE PLANNED IN THE COMING YEAR BOTH IN TERMS OF PROMOTING THE BOOK AND IN FURTHERING THE STRATEGIC GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM?
I have been holding events around the book nonstop since it launched last April. As long as there is an appetite for it, I am thrilled to promote it. In Strategic Partnerships we are focusing on bringing in fewer partners so that we can concentrate on integrated marketing programs that deepen the relationship between the partners and Christie’s.
YOU ARE HARDLY ONE TO STAY IN THE STATUS QUO. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? WHAT ARE SOME DREAMS YOU HAVE PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?
The list is long and changes almost weekly at this point!
On the personal front, now that my kids are getting a little older, I look forward to traveling with them around the world. Travel was such an important part of my childhood that I want to expose them to the world in a similar way.
On the work front: I would love to stay at Christie’s and continue to grow my department, and serve as an ambassador for the firm as an auctioneer. I continue writing all of the time – if you ever see me on a plane I am usually writing something just to write. (Simon & Shuster published Lydia’s 2019 “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You”). Additionally, my book has been optioned by New Form Entertainment so hopefully I will have exciting news about a TV/film deal in the coming year. I am also in talks with a number of companies about developing an unscripted TV series. Finally, I am co-founding a hospitality platform for female travelers with my sister called She Gone.
I am happiest when I am busy – so, I am definitely happy these days!
The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is YOU
by Lydia Fenet
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Powerful-Woman-Room-You-ebook/dp/B07GNTSTZ8
Excerpts of reviews of The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is …You
Fenet highlights the importance of operating in the business world from a position of strength and confidence . . . through knowledge.
Her career in a male dominated business as an auctioneer for Christie’s to her outlook on helping woman help other woman reached me on a deep level.
I cannot speak enough to the power of the written word and especially when it’s written by an author/woman who wants to positively impact our working and personal lives today.
IN OUR BUSINESS, A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, ERGO A VIDEO IS PRICELESS. LAST WEEK, LYDIA JOINED BRIAN McCOMAK, CEO & FOUNDER OF HUMMINGBIRD HUMANITY, IN A SERIES BRIAN CREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC CRISIS, “HOPE, HEART AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT”.
BRIAN IS A PASSIONATE EXPERT ON INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE AND MET LYDIA AT CHRISTIE’S WHERE HE SERVED AS HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS. THEY ARE FRIENDS AS WELL AS COLLEAGUES AND LYDIA’S FORTHRIGHT HONESTY AND HUMANITY RESONATE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION.
IT HAS BEEN A GREAT PRIVILEGE AND DELIGHT FOR THE LRFA BLOG INTERVIEW LYDIA FENET, WHOSE INSIGHT, INTELLIGENCE AND GRIT SET A HIGH STANDARD FOR ALL OF US IN TODAY’S WORLD.
IN OUR NEXT LRFA BLOG, I AM VERY PLEASED TO INTRODUCE MIETY HEIDEN. MIETY IS DEPUTY CHAIR AT PHILLIPS AND HEADS PRIVATE SALES AND PHILLIPS NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM, PHILLIPS X, EFFECTIVELY EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF PHILLIPS BEYOND LIVE AUCTIONS.
PLEASE JOIN US!
Leslie Rankow Fine Arts 