Delphine Darmon (E96): « All Professionals Can Play Their Part »

Delphine Darmon (E96) recently published her book Les Inspirants  (Inspirational People) with Éditions de l’Aube, in which she has gathered together and transcribed a series of interviews conducted for her podcast Demain n’attend pas (Tomorrow won’t wait) with people who are using their professional skills for good. Interview.

ESSEC Alumni: What led you to publish Les Inspirants? 

Delphine Darmon: After an initial career in mass retail (at Fnac and Franprix), I launched a Fair Trade drink in the United States, which took me along the highways and byways of Casamance in Senegal, to meet the women in charge of harvesting our fruit. This trip completely changed my view of corporate responsibility along the entire value chain. On my return to France, work-wise, I focused on two key areas stemming from this increased awareness: helping companies transform their business models to better respect the planet and promoting the men and women who are creating and constructing the world of tomorrow, with the aim of fuelling further commitment. That’s how my podcast Demain n’attend pas (Tomorrow won’t wait) got started, with a new episode every fortnight, which then led to my book, Les Inspirants (Inspirational People).

EA: What’s in the book? 

D. Darmon: Les Inspirants features 11 episodes of the podcast Demain n’attend pas – so, the stories of 11 guests who have what you could call “ordinary” professions (lawyer, nurse, gynaecologist, neuropsychiatrist, entrepreneur, CEO, as well as a chef, photographer, filmmaker, artist and adventurer) and who use their professional skills to get involved in big, important causes.

EA: Who, specifically, are the guests you spoke to?

D. Darmon: I was delighted to be able to gather together in the book my interviews with artist JR; war photographer Reza; neuropsychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik; CEO of MAIF and Joint President of Mouvement Impact France Pascal Demurger; explorer with the Polar POD expedition Jean-Louis Etienne; chef and owner of Mairazur Mauro Colagreco; gynaecologist and founder of Maison des Femmes Ghada Hatem; maker of the documentary Bigger Than Us Flore Vasseur; founder of the brand C’est Qui Le Patron ?! Nicolas Chabanne; nurse and founder of Banlieues Santé Abdelaali El Badaoui; and environmental lawyer and founder of WildLegal Marine Calmet. 

EA: What made you choose these people out of all those who have been on your podcast? 

D. Darmon: I chose men and women who had noticed that their professions were becoming dysfunctional and who gradually came to feel that this was unacceptable. They then applied their professional skills to the problem. This is a message that I am particularly keen on. There's a tendency to think that a big reveal is required to get us to act, or that we need to be born fists aloft, like Greta Thunberg. With this book, I want to show that all professionals can play their part, that everyone can positively impact the world through their day-to-day work, without necessarily engaging in activism or politics. 

EA: What insight does the book add to the transcriptions of the selected episodes?

D. Darmon: Each episode is followed by a few pages summarising the issues addressed by the guests, including key figures and statistics, and suggestions for further reading, films, podcasts and associations for those who wish to delve deeper. Also, the interview with the artist JR is exclusive to the book.

EA: Which episode stands out for you? 

D. Darmon: There are so many... If I had to choose, I'd say the meeting with Ghada Hatem. I was impressed by the effectiveness and originality of the approach she has developed with Maison des Femmes – a form of pragmatic and holistic support that evolves over time, helping transform the lives of women who have been victims of physical violence and psychological control. Part of the proceeds of the book are being donated to the association. 

EA: Ultimately, what are the key messages you have taken away from episodes highlighted in your book? 

D. Darmon: All of my guests are taking action not only because they firmly believe society can change the way it functions – and this gives them the energy, endurance and determination they need to drive that change – but also because they know they need to work with others and share the power.  This combination of individual positioning and collective action, which is similar to how entrepreneurship works, is, in my view, the key to their capacity to create change. So, that is what has happened so far. As for what happens next as a result, I think we will all develop a sense of alignment, belonging to a community, great joy and optimism – all reasons that encourage us to follow their example. 

EA: In light of the testimonies you’ve gathered, what practical advice would you give to ESSEC alumni eager to use their professional skills for good? 

D. Darmon: The main thing is not to hold back: given the huge challenges we face, we need everyone to act within their own sphere of influence. I would then advise everyone to ask themselves the following questions: does my company have a genuine social purpose? Does it meet people's actual needs (for food, lodging, healthcare, education, etc.)? If so, what are the social and environmental consequences of its production or service delivery? If those consequences are problematic, is it willing to rework its business model to reduce its negative externalities? If so, can you help it do so? If not, then it’s probably time to leave and put your time, intelligence and skills into something of more benefit to the world. 

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser  (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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