Setting course for boldness and resilience: lessons from Marie Gendron!

Have you ever dreamed of successfully completing an ambitious project despite obstacles? Of adapting effectively when faced with the unexpected? Of staying on course when everything seems to be falling apart? 🎯

We had the privilege of welcoming Marie Gendron, a professional sailor sponsored by Kereis, for two inspiring conferences in Rennes and Nantes. Here’s a look back at the lessons from a high-level athlete who perfectly embodies our values.

An inspiring journey

Marie Gendron’s journey is anything but ordinary. Her adventure began with a bold act: building her first boat while still a student pursuing a DUT (University Technology Diploma). Without prior knowledge in naval construction or financial means, she managed to gather around twenty students and experts to bring this ambitious project to life.

This first successful experience gradually led her to the prestigious Figaro class, one of the most demanding competitions in professional sailing. A journey that resonates perfectly with our corporate culture at Kereis, where we encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone to progress.

Four essential lessons for success

During her presentations, Marie shared concrete strategies from her experience at sea, perfectly applicable to the business world.

1. Intelligently structure ambitious projects 🔍

Marie explained her “right-side-up pyramid” method for building solid projects:

This methodical approach enabled her to successfully complete complex projects such as building two boats and completing two transatlantic crossings.

2. Develop agility when facing the unexpected 🌊

Marie recounted how, during the “Les Sables-Les Açores” race, the explosion of her medium spinnaker forced her to completely rethink her navigation strategy. This ability to adapt, which she describes as “the first intelligence to develop,” is essential in our constantly evolving professional environment.

3. Cultivate resilience in the face of failure 💪

One of Marie’s most striking messages is that “a temporary setback should never become a permanent failure.” To maintain this resilience, she shared her personal techniques:

4. Develop an “elastic brain” 🧠

Marie introduced the fascinating concept of an “elastic brain,” this ability to quickly switch from one state to another when circumstances require it. She illustrated this concept by recounting her first transatlantic crossing in 2019, when she had to turn back after only 10 hours of racing following equipment failures.

Faced with this situation, alone in the Canary Islands with her damaged boat, she had to quickly redefine her objectives, build an improvised team, and repair her boat in 24 hours flat.

Keys to everyday success

Marie also shared practical advice applicable to daily life:

• Maintain “stable morale” – neither too low in discouragement, nor too high in euphoria. She explained how excessive enthusiasm can sometimes lead to mistakes, such as when she broke two fingers during a race due to overconfidence.
• Surround yourself with the right people – “Surround yourself, surround yourself, surround yourself, that’s the first thing, especially when experiencing failure,” she insisted.
• Remember your “why” – In difficult times, Marie recommends reconnecting with your deeper purpose to get through periods of doubt.

The impact on Kereis teams

These conferences enabled our employees to perceive obstacles differently, no longer as barriers but as learning opportunities. They also strengthened our corporate culture by concretely illustrating our values: boldness, agility, excellence, and proximity.

At Kereis, we are proud to support Marie Gendron. These privileged moments of exchange are part of our commitment to regularly create enriching experiences for our employees.

Because we are convinced that it is by cultivating boldness and resilience that we can truly “lead the way.”