Editor Of Vogue (Edward Enninful OBE): How To Become No.1 In Your Industry Against All The Odds!
Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, shares his journey from Ghana to the pinnacle of fashion. He discusses overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and workaholism, emphasizing the importance of self-care, mentorship, and fighting for diversity and inclusion.
Deep Dive Analysis
15 Topic Outline
Early Life in Ghana and Introduction to Fashion
Father's Authoritarian Influence and Early Fears
Immigration to the UK and Experiencing Racism
Concealing Identity and Discovering Modeling
Dropping Out of University and Becoming Fashion Director at 18
Workaholism, Imposter Syndrome, and Early Career Drivers
Overcoming Loneliness and Addiction: The Path to Sobriety
Transitioning to British Vogue and Championing Diversity
Challenging Industry Norms and Fighting Complacency
Major Health Scare: Detached Retina and Tinnitus
The Profound Impact and Loss of His Mother
Lessons from Therapy and Personal Growth
The Importance of Loyalty, Tribe, and Nurturing Talent
The Transformative Power of Love and Partnership
Reflecting on Legacy and Future Aspirations
5 Key Concepts
Imposter Syndrome as a Driver
Edward Enninful explains that his imposter syndrome, the feeling of not being good enough, was a primary force that propelled him to constantly strive for improvement and excellence in his work, rather than being driven by successes. He never viewed his achievements as 'amazing' but always sought to do better.
The Importance of a 'Tribe'
Enninful emphasizes the necessity of having a supportive 'tribe' or group of people who understand your unique challenges and background. For him, this meant having black friends and colleagues in the fashion industry who could relate to the specific struggles of navigating spaces not traditionally meant for them, providing mutual understanding and support.
Loyalty in Career
Enninful describes loyalty as a crucial value in his career, leading him to stay at i-D magazine for over 20 years and have long stints at other publications. He believes in being loyal back to those who nurture and support you, viewing work relationships as a replacement for the family dynamic he lacked in his early life.
Diversity as Good Business
Edward Enninful challenged the long-held industry notion that 'women of color on covers don't sell.' He demonstrated that creating an inclusive and diverse magazine, reflecting a wider range of British women, was not only ethically right but also financially successful, leading to increased sales and a broader audience.
The 'Why' Question
Inspired by his mother, Enninful advocates for always questioning established norms, especially in institutions. When told 'we do things like this,' he suggests asking 'why?' to challenge conventions and explore possibilities for change and improvement.
7 Questions Answered
His father, a strict military man, instilled a deep sense of discipline and fear in Edward, leading him to hide his creative brilliance and feel he was 'never good enough.' This fear of failure and returning home became a powerful, albeit unhealthy, driving force in his early career.
Upon arriving in England at 13, Edward experienced racism for the first time, being detained at the airport and later stopped by police as a black teenager. He also encountered derogatory terms like 'boo-boos' at school, leading to a feeling of not being liked as a black person.
Edward Enninful acknowledges that imposter syndrome never truly goes away, but he learned to manage it by channeling it into a constant drive for improvement. He uses it to push himself to make his work better, rather than letting it paralyze him, and has learned to accept his achievements on 'a good day.'
The signs included not sleeping, avoiding one-to-one engagement, preferring crowds, avoiding loved ones for 'shiny' new people, nights spent watching TV without remembering what he watched, a mind that wouldn't stop, and a pervasive feeling of emptiness, loneliness, and disconnectedness despite external success.
He experienced a detached retina, requiring five eye operations, and developed tinnitus, which he linked to years of overworking and lack of sleep. This harrowing experience, including the fear of going blind, forced him to take a two-year break, prioritize self-care, reduce travel, and re-evaluate his work-life balance.
His biggest regret is not spending enough time with his mother due to being consumed with work and travel, as he believed she would be around forever. He now advises others to spend as much time as possible with their parents and build bridges while they can.
He directly countered the notion that 'women of color on covers don't sell' by creating an inclusive and diverse magazine that reflected all British women. He aimed to make Vogue a safe place where women of all shapes, sizes, races, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds could see themselves, proving diversity was also good business.
14 Actionable Insights
1. Prioritize Loved Ones Over Work
Actively spend as much time as possible with your parents and loved ones, as excessive work and travel can lead to deep regret for missed moments later in life.
2. Challenge the Status Quo
Always ask ‘why’ things are done a certain way in any institution or situation to drive change and innovation, rather than passively accepting existing norms.
3. Stand Firm on Beliefs
Be prepared to risk your position or job for something you deeply believe in, as it’s better to be fired for conviction than to compromise your values.
4. Embrace Self-Care & Reflection
Dedicate time for self-reflection, meditation, and self-help to sustain your mental and physical health long-term, preventing burnout and overcommitment.
5. Cultivate a Support Tribe
Build and maintain a close network of people who understand your unique challenges, as they can provide essential support and help you navigate difficult spaces.
6. Seek Therapy for Coping
Utilize therapy to gain practical tools for coping with life’s challenges, setting boundaries, and improving communication and self-awareness.
7. Leverage Imposter Syndrome
Use imposter syndrome and self-criticism as a driver for continuous improvement and striving for excellence, but learn to manage its detrimental effects on mental health.
8. Engage in Service & Diverse Connections
Connect with people from all walks of life and engage in service activities to gain broader perspective and ground yourself outside your professional bubble.
9. Set Clear Boundaries
Learn to say no and remove yourself from situations, jobs, or relationships that no longer serve you or where you genuinely do not want to be.
10. Blend Discipline and Creativity
Combine strict discipline, punctuality, and a strong work ethic with unbridled creativity to achieve unique and effective results in your endeavors.
11. Pay Attention to Detail
Recognize that ’the devil’s in the details’ and maintain high standards for quality by meticulously focusing on small elements of your work.
12. Practice Loyalty
Be loyal to organizations and individuals who have nurtured and supported your growth, reciprocating their commitment and care.
13. Avoid Complacency
Never feel that your work is done or that you have ‘made it’; always strive for more, fight for what’s right, and recognize there’s always more to achieve.
14. Ignore Naysayers
Stay focused on your chosen path and do not be distracted or deterred by people who tell you what you cannot or should not do.
6 Key Quotes
I always say had I not had my imposter syndrome, had I not had the need to be better, I mean, I never look at anything I've done and think this is amazing. I'm always, no, I'm like, how can I do better? How can I make this better? How can I make this issue better? How can I make this better? And that's really what's driven me all these years.
Edward Enninful
I knew after that that I had to change my life, that I had to practice self-care, that I had to, you know, work hard but not travel as much, not take every job, not...
Edward Enninful
I always remember my mother always said to me, if you can see it, you can be it. So I wanted to create a magazine where, you know, women of all shapes, sizes, you know, race, age, socioeconomic background could see themselves reflected and that's all I did.
Edward Enninful
The one regret I do have is I wish I would have spent more time with her, but I thought she was going to be around forever.
Edward Enninful
I always say to people I couldn't have succeeded if I didn't have great people around me. I was so lucky to have not only the best people in the industry, but also people who were caring.
Edward Enninful
I'm not scared. Fear is not an option for me. You know, from a young age I've never been scared of fighting for, you know, what I deserve or fighting for what people from different backgrounds deserve.
Edward Enninful