[Alumni Story] Agathe MONPAYS: a year of huge challenges at Leroy Merlin!
At the beginning of 2022, Agathe MONPAYS (who graduated the Grande École Program in 2016) was making the most of her maternity leave in North of France. Little did she imagine that a year later she would be in charge of Leroy Merlin’s Greece & Cyprus division! Here’s her story: a good reminder of why it’s important to grasp every opportunity…
Do you remember the day when you were offered the job of General Manager of Leroy Merlin’s Greece and Cyprus division? You have to imagine me seven months pregnant, with a wellstructured plan for going back to work in northern France. The management invited me to think about my future… abroad. I discussed it with my partner, talked about it with other expats and it kept me awake at nights. A few days later, there was a more specific offer: running Leroy Merlin in Greece and Cyprus! I never expected such an opportunity, but I know that the ADEO Group has been built on its ability to tackle anything and create confidence. I experienced this myself for six years during which I held important positions without, I think, taking myself seriously. I read up about the country, the job and the teams, with a combination of pride and excitement. With my partner, we spent a few evenings discussing it and exploring our concerns, before answering with a resounding “YES”.
How did you prepare for this new life? I had to finish my job in Tourcoing, prepare myself for childbirth and life as a mother, but at the same time start projecting myself into a new country, a new job and a new language! First of all, I took a reconnaissance trip to Athens (in April in the snow!) to confirm that it was a place where we could thrive as a family. A few weeks later, we were at the airport with three suitcases, a pushchair, a dog and the the touristic guide “Le Routard” in our pocket. Everything followed on from that: finding a nanny, a supermarket, a petrol station, going through all the administrative procedures with the help of my company, meeting our landlord, the neighbours, etc. We had a particularly warm welcome from the local people, which enabled us to settle in really easily.
What is your role and how did you find your bearings in your new position? I am now responsible for eight stores and the operation of our support services. I usually say that my role is to grow the three assets entrusted to me: our 1,300 employees, the inhabitants here who are our potential customers, and our economic assets. I arrived without any preconceived ideas and with a desire to listen and learn. I spent a lot of time in the store, I met each of the employees individually to break the ice and understand their daily lives. I also visited local people to find out about our customers’ expectations, and also our competitors to better understand the quirks of the market.
What did you learn when meeting your employees? That we would have to adapt to local conditions, particularly in terms of management. In Greece, for example, it is not uncommon to live with your parents until the age of 30-35. In this context, the notion of a first job, salary and career has different implications from those we know in France. Ditto for the relationship with the chain of command. It is essential to allow time to take all this on board to create a climate of trust, to discover in depth the teams’ expectations and what joint project to build with them. I also ensure I have a multicultural management committee to always be in touch with the situation locally and better tackle the projects and challenges that await us.
What types of challenges? We have new projects related to garden design, but also to home improvement, by incorporating the subject of energy savings. Greece has also just beaten its historical record in terms of tourism and there is no doubt that the local people will be keen to improve their accommodation to meet this need: we of course want to be by their side. From a personal point of view, everything needs to be set up since I’ve just come on board. I intend to consolidate my team and our organisations to be able to offer ever more appropriate solutions to meet the needs of Greek and Cypriot residents, but also our 1,300 employees. We will only get there by working together.
You have been living there since September, what do you particularly like about Greece? I love the mindset: here it’s a choice to take your time, take an interest in other people, be generous, but also resilient, accept crises and get through them. I don’t live in the city, but in the north of Athens in the middle of the mountains and there are lots of things to do – go and watch the deers, have lunch by the water or try the local tavernas, for example. I miss my family of course, but not only: this is my first winter without a Savoyard fondue!
Do you pay attention to the issue of gender balance as a business manager? I had the chance to develop in a company that has opportunities and makes room for everyone, regardless of age or gender. I didn’t have to fight to make my voice heard as a woman or a young person. At ADEO, we believe that if someone has something intelligent to say, whatever their job or profile, they shouldn’t hesitate to say it. It’s up to us, as managers, to be attentive to the specific needs of our employees, then to involve them in setting their own work-life balance. This sometimes requires shaking up received ideas, changing our markers and our organisations, but I am convinced that we all have something to gain from it.
How do you manage to find this famous balance? The key is self-knowledge: not everyone has the same limits and you have to be able to listen to yourself to find a happy medium between a busy schedule and a form of letting go. My daily life as a mother and General Manager is certainly demanding, but I am lucky to be fulfilled in what I do. This makes it easier to get through the sometimes difficult times. do you have any advice for readers who are offered an unexpected opportunity? Just go for it! A year ago, I would never have imagined leaving my northern French cocoon for such an exciting adventure. Today, I realise how such an experience can enrich not only your career but particularly your life. You have to know how to seize opportunities, take the plunge (with a parachute) and enjoy the flight.
Career path
After two years of workstudy in direct marketing for a company in the textile sector, Agathe began looking for a first job that would allow her to combine working with customers and management.
Leroy Merlin offered her a job as sector manager at the Valenciennes store. After four rewarding years, in 2020 she became brand director in Tourcoing. 2022 marked a new turning point: she received an unexpected offer… to become Managing Director of Leroy Merlin’s Greece and Cyprus division. Less than a year later, she was promoted as Managing Director of Leroy Merlin France.
This article was written by Luna Créations for IÉSEG Network’s magazine, IÉS #15.
