Office Space

Janet Moore believes there is something interesting about everyone she meets. A look inside her office reveals plenty of interesting things about the communications leader and educator herself.

As a full-time faculty member, Moore’s expertise in leadership communication shapes the academic experience of nearly every MBA student, guiding them to develop executive presence and the ability to communicate with impact. The objects in her office, from artifacts collected on global adventures to awards recognizing her storied career, reflect the many facets of her vibrant life and work. Here are a few of the objects that make the environment almost as lively as its occupant.

1. A hand-woven Otomi tapestry. Moore, a former international lawyer and avid world traveler, once practiced law in Mexico. It was there she received the colorful stitched art.
2. An honorary consul plaque. As honorary consul to the country of Georgia, she promotes their economic and cultural relations in the state of Texas.
3. A flag for every country she’s visited or worked in. (Over 50!)
4. A luchador-style owl mask that she received while taking the first MBA@Rice Global Field Experience to Mexico City. The mask hints at her fun-loving spirit. (Case in point: She tried it on for us.)
5. A copy of “Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot” by Stanford Professor Matt Abrahams. Moore’s shelves are full of must-read recommendations, but this title is her recent standout pick.
6. A large glass bowl that Moore uses to convey the idea of “executive presence.” Think of it this way: The objects you place in the bowl represent your substance (i.e., your skills, values and identity); but other people always view and evaluate those objects through an outside layer (i.e., your appearance, body language, behavior and speech) — which is represented by the glass bowl itself.

For Moore, an expert in leadership communication, personal style is a way to tell stories — both for yourself and others. She references Madeleine Albright (whom she learned from at Georgetown), whose carefully selected brooches conveyed specific messages. On the day of our photo shoot, Moore is wearing a golden bracelet that her mother wore when she defended her dissertation.

If you want to learn more about leadership and the power of personal style, stop by to see Janet Moore. You’ll leave feeling more confident about telling your own story.