More Poet than Peasant: A Reflection on Labels, Culture, and L’Oréal

Recently, I interviewed for a strategic leadership role at L'Oréal. A few weeks after the interview, I was told I was “more Poet than Peasant” and not selected for the role.

More Poet than Peasant.

Let me back up a bit.

Periodically, headhunters reach out to me, as they did for this role.

I don’t actively interview. I take selective meetings or turn over ro…