Get All Access for $5/mo

Lessons On Leadership: Elisa Bruno, CEO, Level Shoes "I have found that leadership must be strongly founded in authenticity, and the transparency that comes with taking on such an approach."

By Aby Sam Thomas Edited by Aby Sam Thomas

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Level Shoes
Elisa Bruno, CEO, Level Shoes

This article is a part of the 2023 edition of Entrepreneur Middle East's annual Follow The Leader series, in which enterprise head honchos from the region talk strategy, industry-specific tactics, and professional challenges as they lead their respective businesses to success.

Level Shoes, a homegrown concept that was launched by the Dubai-headquartered luxury retailer Chalhoub Group in 2012, is today billed as "the world's largest store of authentic footwear for women, men, and kids," and sitting at the helm of this enterprise today is CEO Elisa Bruno.

As someone who has worked with the likes of Angela Ahrendts (in her time as the former CEO of Burberry) and Ermenegildo Zegna (Chairman and CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna Group), Bruno joined Level Shoes in 2020 armed with all of the insights she had learned from these acclaimed business leaders.

However, in the time she has spent at Level Shoes, Bruno admits to having been awed by the leadership she's seen first-hand from Chalhoub Group President Patrick Chalhoub- and she has no qualms about admitting that she wants to follow his example.

"I have been with Chalhoub Group for just under three years, and within this time, I find that Patrick is a daily example for what a real leader should be," Bruno explains. "He is deeply integrated in each of his projects, with his attention to detail, alongside his genuine care and respect for each employee. In parallel, he maintains his humor and humanity with each member of the team."

"I will always remember the day he gave me the opportunity to lead Level Shoes, entrusting me with his ambitious goal to propel the homegrown brand into the international landscape, with an unprecedented digital expansion," she continues. "This type of leadership is a rare jewel to find in the industry, and I strongly believe that it stems from the lineage of having his forefathers create this example. True leadership begins with humility and genuineness. And I, for one, believe that more leaders can take this example to apply towards their stakeholders."

Related: Follow The Leader: Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO, Ruder Finn

The Executive Summary: Elisa Bruno reflects on what she considers to be one of the most important things she has learnt about leadership

"I have found that leadership must be strongly founded in authenticity, and the transparency that comes with taking on such an approach. Leadership is not only about the 'head of a pyramid'- it's rather the final piece of the puzzle to the very intricate ecosystem an operation requires.

It is the insight and retrospective view on my journey that has taught me that at the end of the day, the value of a leader stems directly from their ability to facilitate their team in what they do. Keeping the team and our community at the heart of decision-making, we are able to achieve stronger results.

Here at Level Shoes, we aim to champion innovation and talent to transform the luxury retail environment- and this is not something that we are able to achieve without the utilization of creative, passionate, and dedicated people. Each member of the team brings an intrinsic value, and, as leaders, we need to ensure we set the right example."

Related: Lessons On Leadership: Natalia Vodianova, Co-Founder, Locals.org

Aby Sam Thomas

Entrepreneur Staff

Former Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East

Aby Sam Thomas is the former Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East. Having started working on the brand in November 2014, Aby was responsible for leading the publication on its editorial front until September 2024.

In his nearly-decade-long tenure at Entrepreneur Middle East, Aby played a key role in its growth and development across the MENA region, with him developing and executing events, programs, and other initiatives under the brand's banner, while also personally representing it through his appearances in conferences, media, etc.

Aby has been working in journalism since 2011, prior to which he was an analyst programmer with Accenture, where he worked with J. P. Morgan Chase's investment banking arm at offices in Mumbai, London, and New York. He holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York.  

Starting a Business

Saudi Unicorns: Makkah-Based Salla Aims To Become The Go-To Platform For All E-Commerce Needs In KSA And Beyond

"Today, we are extremely proud that Salla merchants have sold over SAR21 billion worth of products, and currently more than 55,000 thousand individuals, small and medium brands, and well-established enterprises trust us to help them run and grow their businesses."

Entrepreneurs

The Recap: The Demo Day of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund Accelerator Program's Eighth Cohort

17 startups presented their ideas in front of a panel of regional investors, following which three startups emerged as the winners of the Demo Day.

Thought Leaders

10 TV Shows Every Entrepreneur Should Watch on Netflix

Have some free time on your hands? Get into one of these series.

Science & Technology

Automation Is Becoming a Business Imperative: Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Automation is here to stay. To sustain long-term success in this new age, ask yourself these four questions.

Marketing

The CEO of Carl's Jr. Doesn't Care If You're Offended by the Chain's Sexy Ads

The burger chain runs commercials starring swimsuit models for the same reason it is putting a hotdog on top of a cheeseburger: because 'young, hungry guys' love it.

Growth Strategies

GymNation to Accelerate Expansion Following the Opening of Its 20th Location

"The GCC fitness market is growing at 15-20% a year, and we have invested in our company infrastructure to grow at pace and capitalize on what we feel is a generational opportunity to open 100 gyms across the region in the next 3-5 years."