Ginny (00:08): Are you ready to speak your truth and live in alignment with your highest potential? Welcome to fifth dimensional leadership, a podcast for leaders, thinkers, and future makers dedicated to creating the conscious workplace of tomorrow. I'm your host. Ginny Clarke join me and my guests. As we move beyond action and doing to the essential truths, knowing and being whether you're an accomplished executive like me or a leader in training, we invite you to listen, learn, and grow with us.

Ginny (00:50): Welcome to fifth dimensional leadership we have today. A truly exciting, innovative dynamic gentlemen. His name is Derek Blasberg. Derek is YouTube director of fashion and beauty and a New York times bestselling author. I got to hear about your book. I know, I know it's fun. He was born and raised in St. Louis, attended NYU graduating in 2004 with two degrees, journalism and dramatic literature. His first job was as an assistant at Vogue and in his career, he's been the editor at large of Harper's Bazaar and vanity Fair's man on the street. I'm going to stop there because there's so much more, but I really want to hear it from Derek, Derek. Welcome. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for having me, Ginny, you are just a delight and I'm excited to have you because leadership takes so many different forms. You know, I've been a corporate girl for many decades.

Ginny (01:48): You come from a different background, a whole different world. One that I've been avoider into given I have a love of fashion as well, but I really wanted to talk with you and really explore all of the elements of your world, because it is so dynamic and you brought it to YouTube, which is obviously part of Google. So tell me, how did this all go down through your career?

Derek (02:12): Talk about corporate leadership, especially because before I started working here, I did not have a lot of visibility into corporations or leadership and especially not corporate leadership. So we can really dig into that. I mean, before we do, I can sort of fill in some of the blanks in that bio that you just mentioned. So you asked how important St. Louis, Missouri. I had a very conservative, traditional American childhood. I lived in the same house. K through 12. I went to the same school district, a very crazy, almost mentally sick fun fact about me. I didn't miss a day of school from K through 12. I perfect. K through 12?

Ginny (02:52): Yeah. Okay. Wait. So it was, I mean you, did you like power through little sicknesses and illnesses? You were that kind of a student.

Derek (03:00): Yes. And as we think about sick people in 2020, there were probably some times I should have stayed home instead of trying to infect everyone I went to school with, but it was a couple of things. Number one, you know, both of my parents worked, we didn't have childcare, so I would've stayed home. My parents would have had to stay home and miss work. So that really wasn't an option. And beyond that, it's not that I loved school, but it became very apparent at a young age, the way I was going to leave St. Louis and chase my dreams was through education and preparedness. I, I was definitely in my parents will attest to this. I definitely had my rebellious phase and I was prone to acting out, but I was always a good student and I got good grades and I got scholarships and I got out of there, but yes, so I had a very traditional childhood.

Derek (03:50): And then when I was 18, I graduated high school. And then I came to New York. I studied at , as you mentioned. And I graduated with two degrees in 2004. What you didn't mention in that quick bio is that yes, my first job was at Vogue and I was actually the worst Vogue assistant in the magazine's history. And I was fired after a year, which sort of goes back to, I think, what we were about to mention about corporate leadership and corporate structure and dynamics. I didn't fall so easily into the hierarchal organization. I kinda advanced at the time

Ginny (04:24): I've got Debra double Bruce product in my head. Yes.

Derek (04:29): In a way I think I started working there right after that book came out. Of course, that book is a sensationalist observation of what working at Volvo, like course, but it wasn't that far from the truth. The only difference. I mean, there were a couple of very noted differences. One being that, you know, Anna winter would never wear those sunglasses that Meryl Streep wore. I mean, someone should have fact check that. And although I don't, Anna winter is a, is definitely a demanding and hardworking boss, but she never, you know, in that movie, there were tasks of Anne Hathaway's character that were ridiculous or seemingly impossible or to torture. And Anna never asked anyone for that sort of level of work. She just asked for the best. And I respected that until she fired me. No, I'm kidding.

Derek (05:27): And so then after Vogue, I, after that first job as an assistant at Vogue, I was sort of moved to the international dogs. And so I wrote a lot for Russian and Chinese Vogue, which had just launched. I also wrote a lot for Spanish vote, Google women or national, all the bugs, in addition to Vogue at that time, Conde Nast had a website called style.com sure. Which is now sort of morphed into what Vogue runway.com is. I worked for them and I worked at Harper's bizarre. It was the youngest editor and editor at large of Harper's bizarre, I guess that brings us to like 2009, 2010. And then I joined vanity fair, I guess in 2015 or 16. And then I started here at YouTube in 2018. I'd never thought I'd work at a tech company and actually to be really candid with you when this job first came to me, I was hesitant and I actually sort of dismissed it at first because I was intimidated at the idea of, of tech and corporate structure.

Derek (06:38): I also was really committed to what I thought would be my path and my journey. I went to journalism school. I thought I'd work in magazines or newspapers or broadcast journalism my whole life. And I was determined to stay in this realm of photographers and fashion shows and models and hairstylist and makeup artists. And what finally clicked, what I finally realized was that what I do here at YouTube is working with photographers and hairstylists and makeup artists and models and designers and fashion shows. So what I used to do in the written word, I now help translate into video and at the risk of sounding, you know, optimistic, I can say, you know, I love my job and I love the people that we work with at YouTube. It's been an incredible opportunity to continue to have these storytelling moments in the fashion space and do it with YouTube. Ginny (07:31): And you obviously are a storyteller of many types, right. And different mediums. It strikes me that it seems as though you kind of caught that wave where a lot of magazines were going digital, right. Was that not happening kind of at that same time and morphing?

Derek (07:51): Absolutely. And a lot of the stuff that I did at magazines was in the digital space, but when I worked at vanity fair, I had my own video series on YouTube, ironically, or coincidentally, or perhaps some foreshadowing. The series was called Derek does stuff with a friend and it was, it was vanity fair, was first video franchise. And before that, I remember now we're talking about like the, the middle ages, the, the founding fathers of, of digital media. I remember I used to, I used to source the stories I would write on Twitter. And then of course, when you published a story, you know, that's when magazines started to realize the power of, of digital media and social media. So then I would always push out my stories on Twitter or Facebook or whatever they had. And I definitely think, I don't think social media made me a better writer, but I think it made me a more appealing candidate and appealing contributor to these magazines. Because as you can imagine, when you publish a magazine, you want people to see it and you want people to read it. Right? So my early adaption of adaption and also adoption of, of social media, I think the hooped me and what I was trying to do, it makes a lot of,

Ginny (09:12): So, you know, one of the things that we focus on here at fifth dimensional leadership is the concept of inspiring love and followership. You are a master of building followership as your social media presence and influencer status would suggest how have you built followership? And are there techniques or commonalities between an influencer and a leader?

Derek (09:38): That's a good question. And I really wish I had like a formula or a more insightful answer, but to be really honest with you, I've tried not to overthink it. I might not to preach or be too heavy handed. Of course, there's a couple of posts I've made over the years when someone important to me as passed away or when there is a huge life event that, that has affected me greatly that you do want to say something a little bit more profound. But I think the, my secret to social media has been aware that I am a very fortunate person who has a lot of access to fabulous fashion events and peeling back that curtain and, and showing off what I find so appealing about this fashion swirl. And then of course, I always try and post between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM Eastern standard time. But the hopes that America is awake at that time, and Europe is awake at that time. So to try, actually, I don't know if that's so important now that was before, you know, there was a time when both Twitter and Instagram were chronological feeds and now both of them have. And so you really see things as they were posted. Now, of course everything's been algorithmic eyes, all the algorithm eyes, that's a word, right? Yeah. We're good. Right. So I think now timing is probably that's important, but yeah,

Ginny (11:04): That, it, it does sound like authenticity is something that is important to you that it's just, maybe it's just oozing from a, you can't be other than who you are.

Derek (11:15): Exactly. And I think, and to be really honest with you with, to flush that out, even further, one of the first thing I realized when I joined YouTube is that how savvy viewers are happy, the YouTube ecosystem is, and people will know instinctively and immediately, if you are not practicing what you preach or the other thing that you see sometimes is when people try and hide, you know, paid collaboration, you know, people sniff out in life and also online, I think authenticity and integrity are the most important things. Yeah, yeah. Of the things

Ginny (11:54): That I've seen of you on YouTube and on social media, you're not snarky, you know, you seem kindhearted about what it is that you put out there. And, and I don't know if you, it sounds like that's, that is again who you are, but it's, it seems a little contrary to some of the elements, the, you know, sort of the ugly underbelly of what can be considered the fashion world.

Derek (12:20): Yeah. And I definitely think there was a time when fashion was maybe more cutthroat or snarky, but I just don't think you can be an now in any industry, you know, the nineties was sort of seen as a very time and fashion. And the people that I work with and fashion are, are pretty awesome. The other thing that I should probably point out as we talk about moving to New York is that I came to the city before Facebook and all these other things. I didn't have a single, I didn't have a friend. I didn't have a, a fun uncle, a cousin, a front of the family. I really moved to New York. I didn't know a single person. And I was very concerned about creating a network. And my family was very concerned about me creating, you know, a support system. And I feel very fortunate. And this sort of speaks to what you were saying about fashion being seen through the lens of a, a snarkier world. I feel very fortunate that I've met some real quality, you know, people who have made my life fulfilling and whole. And so I, of course there probably are a couple of still in this industry, but I don't know, they don't work with me

Ginny (13:37): Well, like attracts, like see there, that's what that is. Speaking of which some of your closest friends and champions are celebrities. I w I watched one of your super fun videos with Kendall Jenner. Who's a personal favorite of mine from a style standpoint. These folks, these are pop culture, icons and leaders in their field to be sure Katy Perry, for instance, , and a wind tour. You don't have to name names, but what are some of the common traits that you have observed among the successful company that you keep? And secondly, kind of what makes them tick? Do you think what's the secret to their success?

Derek (14:22): You know, I get asked this question quite a lot. It typically comes in the guise of like, how do you network? How did you, how did you create such a big, an expansive network in this industry? And, and to be really honest with you, I think a lot of it has to do with my wholesome Midwestern upbringing. I say, thank you. I call people back. I prioritize relationships. Thank you notes. I write, thank you notes. And anyone else who's listening should too.

Ginny (14:51): Tried to tell My son to do that.

Derek (14:53): My mom, actually, my mom wouldn't let me. So if I got a Christmas present and I opened it and it was like a toy, I couldn't play with that toy. I'd play wrote the thank you note. I like that. And so, so all those sorts of which, which nowadays is probably less common, but that was the only thing I knew back then. And so, as you get older, that sort of, I guess, polite to mean, or probably comes very attractive to people who are used to people asking for stuff or taking advantage of them or are being pushy or dismissive. Or, so the answer I give when people ask me tips for networking is that I, especially in the early days of my career, I never said no. So if someone can you come in early, can you stay late? Can you get us a coffee?

Derek (15:37): Yes, yes, yes. And then when I was an intern at Vogue, my senior year of college, and I've said this before, so, so you may have seen this in some of your research. I asked one of the bookings girl, the, one of the, the, the woman who booked the models. I said, how do you choose a girl? You know? And, and why are some girls used every month and some once? And she says, we're looking for girls who are happy to be here and easy to work with. So someone who doesn't have a chip on their shoulder, someone who is who, who makes the day fly by something that's dragging on the time. And so I sort of like, Oh, wow. That's like such a, that's a good one. I'm going to keep it.

Ginny (16:15): But it's basic, right? It's positive energy, but it's important. It's, it's akin to what I've referred to. When I've interviewed candidates. I will often ask my assistant when she would escort them back. This was back when I was in a search firm. You know, what did you think of that person? What kind, how did, how did they treat you? Right. Very telling. And every, every once in a while I would hear, Oh, they were dismissive. They didn't even look me in the eye. They ignored me. I was like, Ooh, that's right.

Derek (16:47): I'll never see that person again. Nope. Second part of your question. So what I think are the hallmarks of successful people that I've worked with is to your point decency. And also, as we think about people who are working hard in 2020, you know what one of my most, I don't want to say best performing, but she really was, was . And she's been the hardest working woman in quarantine.

Ginny (17:12): Talk about an icon and an April,

Derek (17:14): She launched her. She launched a YouTube series called no filter as sort of a daily distraction while we were all locked up in quarantine. I think she always thought she could be a talk show host, and guess what? She wasn't. She was in quarantine during the black lives matter protests. She did three episodes devoted to amplify in black voices. She spoke to one of the founders of black lives matter. She spoke to Bethann Hardison, a groundbreaking black model, 1970s, who now runs the coalition for diversity in the fashion space. The answer to your question is that hard work pressor, like all those things that we're told, establish a leader still hold up. Even if you look at someone like Kendall Jenner, who I adore as well, I think people assume that her growing up on, on this famous reality TV program helped her. And let's be honest, of course, but if she was an or if she showed up late, or if she didn't get the shot, she wouldn't be booked for another job. And she, to be perfectly candid with you, fashion has not always been so welcomed to childhood reality stars. So she really had to prove herself in that space and dead, to be very honest with you. When I first met her, my first impression of this was, you know, five or six years ago, my first impression of her was like, how did this girl turn out? So sweet and normal and hardworking, right? And that's often what I sort of think when I meet other successful women in the space,

Ginny (18:46): It would be that sometimes we're imposing, you know, the stereotype of what the industry is and who they might be on them unfairly.

Derek (18:54): That's probably a part of it. And also, I also think that there is a, a network of organizations that publish, you know, stories, everyone trying to sell a narrative. And some of those more accurate. I mean, some of the women that you mentioned, Gwyneth Paltrow can sit here and talk to you about business, you know, EBITDA and angel investors in series eight. She knows what she's talking about. And peoples leaving that she is the, as a real CEO and founder of a company, that's worth several hundreds of millions of dollars. So yeah.

Ginny (19:29): Yeah. I like it. Where do you see fashion going and how will major events such as COVID or other cultural waystations like me too black lives matter impact your space?

Derek (19:43): So 2020 was a troublesome difficult, inspiring game changing year for every industry. But from where I sit in the fashion space, I think now people are realizing the power of their buying potential. I don't know when you'll release this or when this goes live, but today is cyber Monday. And what I've been telling everyone is that, you know, spend your money on companies. You want to survive this. This is a tricky time and consumers should know that if you don't believe in the ideals, or if a brand doesn't identify with what you believe in, keep scrolling, go to the next page, close that window. And I think that's going to be a big lesson that we learn in fashion. I also think that companies will become more transparent. I think we even in the fashion space, we have this moment forced us to look at our own performance and see holes.

Derek (20:45): I will say that YouTube is, is I'm very proud of the racial diversity on the fashion team and YouTube. We have, we have a lot of that representation, which makes me feel good that we are doing a good job of making sure that all voices are heard in the fashion space for 2020. We realized that there are a lot of black designers that aren't on YouTube. So we launched the black designer initiative, but some of them board 15 black designers. So there's even in a company like this, where I would have thought that because we have such a diverse makeup of staff that we would have all bases covered 2020 even taught us that we need to, to focus on, make sure that we're doing the right stuff. And so, and so we're doing hopefully what we think we can do to make it better.

Derek (21:35): Yeah. But I, and I, and at further and beyond the social justice issues that were exposed in 2020, when we think about even the timeline of a fashion show. So we used to see shows in September and those clothes wouldn't even be in stores till February. And so we see consumers being bored or exhausted by images before they can actually buy it. So we had companies like Tory Burch and Michael Kors and Saul moron, and saline announced that they were going to postpone their shows. So there was a smaller window between fashion show and delivery. We heard a lot of conversations among department stores saying that they would all agree to wait to discount merchandise margin of profits for these brands that are going to be struggling, because there was a moment, I don't know if you saw this or as a consumer, you recognize this when like for coats or for coats were for sale in August and swims for sale in January. This system became so profit and sales driven that I think people lost sight of what, of what really we needed to do to support each other. So I definitely think there'll be, I think we're learning lessons in 2020 on all, on a variety of topics that will impact impact 20, 21. And hopefully beyond well

Ginny (22:50): Early, everyone in your industry had, has to have gotten creative. Who do you think has really pushed the envelope and driven innovation and gotten creative in fashion and beauty this year?

Derek (23:02): The biggest change in fashion and beauty was probably the idea of these runway shows. So the, a runway show in concept on model walking by wearing clothes that are for sale, that's really from Paris and the late 18 hundreds. And it hasn't changed, you know, over a century. And I really applaud the fashion community for trying to flip that model. And in July, YouTube partnered with the French fashion Federation on the first ever digital fashion week with the couture shows and the men's shows. And then in September, when it was still not safe to travel for fashion week, we saw even more designers coming to YouTube and, and basically any digital platform in September, we live streamed 208 fashion shows as part of a digital activation, which is even more impressive. When you think when I first joined in 2018 and September of 2018, we live stream 20 active adult.

Derek (24:00): We love a data. So I was in percent increase. It was that were on YouTube. And to answer your question, stuff that I thought was inventive or interesting to see is that in July, do your, did a couture show. That was a narrative fictional fantasy film about mermaids and forest NIMS, finding couture dresses and the woods. And then the men show, which happened the following week was a Q and a, between the men's wear designer and the African artist who inspired the collection and the Prince and the show in September, we saw Moschino do in lieu of a fashion show of models, just walking back and forth, hiring Jim Henson production, the Muppets that used to do the Muppets. So they created little puppets of the models wearing the collection, which was fascinating to see. There was a smaller brand called GCDs that did like a AR VR extravaganza.

Derek (24:57): There was another small American label called kid super that did a stop motion fashion show. And what's incredible as we even talk about these brands is that 2020 leveled the playing field because suddenly everyone really has to translate their, their mission, their voice, their mood in a short film. And so do yours next to G G or an old multi-billion dollar fashion empire. His is brand new little American designer. That's a first menswear show, which was in stop motion. So it's, it's been, there has been some amazing and clever and dynamic thinking in the fashion space this year, which for sure, we'll see, you know, next season next year,

Ginny (25:40): I remember seeing, I think it was a black designer who the models were invisible or something.

Derek (25:49): Yes, yes. I actually bought a,

Ginny (25:51): I was so impressed. Really. I did hurt him

Derek (25:54): Khalifa and the great New York times, honey. I had a great New York times profile about how she started that program. And, you know, she was a very small designer and suddenly what we saw this year, put her on a huge pedestal. And that was actually a great example of a combination of fashion and tech. So good for her. That was great to see.

Ginny (26:14): That was pretty impressive. She got great coverage on

Ginny (26:16): That.

Derek (26:17): If you're buying, say it's working

Ginny (26:19): It. Yeah, exactly. I hadn't heard of her. I went online. I sold, I have to say I haven't worn it yet. I'm waiting to go somewhere once milk. We're on lockdown here in Santa Clara. You know, folks aren't it's hoodie bill, but that's okay. I'm going to get back to a real estate soon.

Derek (26:38): We wouldn't even get there. We don't need to spend too much time on it cause I wouldn't call it inspiring, but athleisure definitely the trend of the year in 2020. Yes. As I'm talking to you, I am in, you know, sweat pants and a sweatshirt. I've got my house slippers on. So maybe if you could see me right now, I don't know if you'd trust my authoritative view on the fashion and beauty landscape at the moment.

Ginny (26:59): Well, I'm sure the labels are impressive and the quality is attendant with that. So I'm not worried.

Ginny (27:08): I know. Award season is a big time of year for you as are events like the met gala. How has this past year with COVID? What does that meant? And what do you anticipate coming into 2021,

Derek (27:22): To be honest with you, that was a huge hole in content for us biggest some of the biggest content creating events in the annual year, our Coachella, which was in April, the met gala first Monday in may canceled the Cannes film festival second week of may canceled couture and Paris in July canceled. So there was definitely a pivot and content creation from our partners, but at the same way, what can you do? It's a viral pandemic. So like we, we were, we were bummed but not deterred. And so we were reminding our partners other ways to communicate with viewers, not only communicate, but make sure that we're reinforcing the right things. So in March and April, we had, we leaned into content that reminded people to stay home, to stay safe. So Nike started doing three live stream workouts with their master trainers, which I haven't did one.

Derek (28:22): And those guys were not messing around. It was no workout that much. Olivia rousting, who is the creative director of a friendship called ball bond, did like walks down memory lane and was looking at his previous shows. We saw a lot of designers reinforcing archive content. And this has really, you know, some very encouraging statistics and number that I saw do your released a hour long documentary style piece of content that was all in French over a million views. And that, you know, and we sort of pre 2020, I think we would have assumed that shorter is better, pretty pictures. And here we have a, a full, essentially an hour long foreign film about dresses 50 years ago, and people were intrigued and they were interested. And I love to say in that I was super excited to see that and it's educational, it's educational.

Derek (29:17): And part of that has to do with people being home and spending more time on their screens. And I think also part of the viewership are they want to know more about the clothes and why is this label worth this much? And you know, I think people, this was really a year to investigate further into a lot of our passions. They also saw that with banana bread and tie dye and all that other stuff that was happening, sadly, I don't know how to make banana bread. Don't learn any of that, but I've definitely learned a lot more about fashion. And I thought I knew everything. Youtube is still a gold mine of incredible and inspiring fashion and beauty content

Ginny (29:57): That I do want to hear before we go, I've got two more questions. One is around your leadership since you've come into this, what, you know, I don't think Google likes to think of itself as a corporate environment, but it's, you know, as 132,000 person company. So it is corporate, whether it wants to be or not. What have you learned as a leader in the two years that you've been with YouTube,

Derek (30:20): I've had so many incredible learnings and lessons and you know, I'm sort of apprehensive to talk about all the epiphanies and realizations I've made because it makes me sound pretty dim before I started work, no judgment, but definitely joining a company that has 130,000 employees is, is a game changer. That's, that's not every company. And when you work at a company that big, there are a lot of issues like making sure people feel seen and making sure they feel heard, making sure that they feel represented and making sure that everyone has credit for their own ideas and for their work, but you don't get lost in a company that's 130, 2000 people big. And tho, and those were huge lessons for me. You know, like I said, I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and that is a place where people just get the work done and go home. Derek (31:07): And Google is a corporation of hugely accomplished overachievers and you want them to be happy, so they continue to accomplish and achieve. And so I definitely, you know, I had, I had to learn the best way to make sure that you are identifying and seeing and supporting everyone that you work with. And that's people who are in the same team as you, but also your cross-functional teams and people who support you and, and, and, and other ways. So of course, I work with the fashion team. I'm the head of fashion and beauty, but we work with the marketing team and the press team. We rely very heavily on the product and tech people. In 2019, we launched .com/fashion, which is currently the largest aggregate of style video content in the world. I, for sure didn't build that. I can barely check my emails. So I relied very heavily on the product and engineers that Google has.

Derek (32:00): And Andy really, and I learned how important it was to make sure that you, that support and, and you don't, you don't take those sorts of people in those sorts of relationships for granted. And that was a good lesson for me to learn and not, we're not dating in 2020, those are good lessons to know in 2018, 2019, but in 2020, when you suddenly have entire teams working from home, you know, that this was a really, really tough year. And, and at the risk of sounding weepy or sentimental, I was so happy to be part of the team that we have on the fashion and beauty vertical, there have been, you know, incredible conversations and insights during COVID. You know, there were some people who had family members that were suffering and just matter, some of the, you know, some of the black members of my team were, were, were very concise on what they were going through and what they were seeing, which was eyeopening for me and everyone else on the team.

Derek (32:57): So I definitely don't think I'm in a position to give any tips on corporate leadership, but I will say I was definitely on the receiving end of a lot of really great tips. And I was so fortunate to have had those as we went through this troubling and inspiring year. And I, and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say this year was like a dumpster fire on a rocket ship. And all of us are just like holding on for dear life and hoping that wherever this lands in 2021, that we are stronger, better, and more compassionate. And, you know, and, and, and I feel that way. And I, and I will have that to the people I work with who helped me come to that sort of graphic and visual. So, yeah. Yeah.

Ginny (33:45): That's a good one. That's it sounds like it's been a great ride for you in the last couple of years,

Derek (33:51): For sure. You know, and, and I mean, I don't want to be too candid here, but it's been a tricky time for print media when people are staying at home, they're not buying newspapers and magazines. And I've been incredibly fortunate to work at a company like Google, which is living in the future. And, you know, the future looks good at Google and it looks, and I, and I'm happy to be a part of it. I only do this little bitty, this little bitty section, this little fashion, beauty slice of the pie. But I think the things that Google has unlocked for the fashion and beauty community have been incredible. And I'm optimistic that we'll continue to do good work in 20, 21 and beyond,

Ginny (34:34): Well, if he asked me, I think you put them on the map, but maybe I'm a little biased. Derek (34:41): Well, argue with you.

Ginny (34:45): I actually know some of the recruiters who might've supported that. So proud, proud of that

Derek (34:50): You're talking about. And I'm very grateful for them too. They're the ones in here. So,

Ginny (34:56): All right. My final question is just some rapid fire questions you get to choose. .

Ginny (35:14): Okay. Pants that are too long or pants that are too short.

Derek (35:18): Well, I did show a lot of ankle for several years and I put my ankles away. So go along, go along these people, at least for boy,

Ginny (35:28): Got that. Black or blue

Derek (35:30): Navy blue Navy blue.

Ginny (35:35): Floral or plaid.

Derek (35:38): Well, what season four? All in the fall and no, sorry. Flat in the fall and oral in the spring.

Ginny (35:47): You're being difficult. Here we go. Power suit or business casual.

Derek (35:52): Oh, it's after Kamala. Harris's white curly, inner Herrera pantsuit on November 7th. I got to go. I will look good in a white power suit. I'll stay in sweats, but Kamala can give me power suits all day.

Ginny (36:07): She rocked it for sure. Irony or sincerity.

Derek (36:11): Oh, can we do an ironic sandwich? I like when I, like, I like I like a laugh, but then something that, that feels sentimental and heartfelt

Ginny (36:25): Earnest. Okay. A little. Okay. All right. I'll meet. I'm good. Let's go straight down the middle. I can get with that. That's kinda like me. So I'm there with you face mask solid or patterned,

Derek (36:38): To be honest with you, the face mask I wear, or just one color, like no nonsense with this face mask stuff. I want to be safe and I want to move on. So, okay.

Ginny (36:47): They are they the white, which is, what do you call the, what kind do you wear?

Ginny (36:52): I actually, there's a company called Everlane that made just super simple chic face masks. I saw that skims, if you're into labeled Facebook, it's solid ones, but I think my face isn't that pretty. I don't need it to look like a Christmas tree pattern on my face. I just used smart face masks.

Ginny (37:16): I tend to go with the, the solids too. I don't want it to compete, you know, exactly zoom or meet.

Derek (37:23): Well, you know, I work at Google. So my answer is, and always will be a Google video conferencing,

Ginny (37:29): Ding, ding, ding, right answer. You know, who's paying your bills, or Paris.

Derek (37:35): Oh, Diana Vreeland. The famous editor of Vogue in the 1970s used to say the best thing about London is Paris.

Ginny (37:45): You split it again. But I split it that way.

Derek (37:47): Although I there's this incredibly terrible and terribly incredible show on Netflix called Emily and Paris that everyone's been watching. Everyone's talking about I watch it now Emile in Paris And it made me miss Paris so much.

Ginny (38:02): It's beautiful. I was a French major. I don't know if you knew that I used to be fluent. So really it's, you know, if I go, I have to like really brush up. Derek (38:12): Well, as, you know, the, you know, a huge fashion capital was Paris. And so I used to be in Paris three, four, five, six times a year, and sure. And I took it and I can say now I took that for granted. I would kill for a walk, the Tuileries and across that way now. So I'm telling you, but I also love wearing denim. So if my favorite friends live in London and I miss them terribly, so both again. Okay. Both I'm normally [inaudible] that's okay. These are tough questions.

Ginny (38:41): You are. I know, I know I have one more for you. E early or fashionably late.

Derek (38:50): If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have told you fashionably late. But I actually like now this is after COVID. I may be the first one in, in the last one out, but just before COVID started, I would always try to get there early, say hi to everyone I needed to, and then leave without saying goodbye. So no one knew that I left.

Derek (39:09): That said I am now so starved for social company. When we get this vaccine, when we got into their side of this, I'm going to be the first one in and the last one out. So again, neither, both.

Ginny (39:25): Early and late.

Derek (39:27): Yes. Asking me, it'll be, they'll say Derek, this party hasn't started yet. I was like, I don't care. Let me in. Then they'll say Derek was party's over. You got to go. So both.

Ginny (39:38): Derek Blasberg you are a doll, any parting words for our listeners, anything you want them to know? Any words of inspiration?

Derek (39:48): Just thank you for having me, Ginny, happy to be here. Easy to work with.

Ginny (39:55): You are the best Derek Blasberg.

Derek (39:57): Thank you so much. Solid colored mask. And I hope I see you on the other side of this. I look forward to that maybe in Paris,

Derek (40:08): Paris cocktails. First one, breath. One out. You got it. Thank you. My friend. Take care. Ginny (40:18): And that's fifth dimensional leadership. Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy fifth dimensional leadership subscribe, share, and leave a rating or review on your platform of choice. And don't forget to check us ginnyclarke.com That's G I N N Y C L a R K e.com. You can explore this in prior episodes, you tips and tricks and sign up for special announcements. We'll see you back here in two weeks. And until then, remember, you're just that good, special, thanks to writer and collaborator Jackson Best contributors, Sedasia McCutchen, and Tianca shepherd operations manager, Kimberly Kupitz, and production and editing pod fly production.