Phyllis Kao: The Auctioneer Who's Redefining Authority
In a world where power has long been coded as British and masculine, Phyllis Kao is shattering expectations with her effortless charisma and authoritative presence. As the senior vice president of client strategy at Sotheby's, she's built a reputation that extends far beyond the traditional art market.
Kao's journey to the top began by accident, when she took a temporary job at a small Northern California auction house after graduating from Columbia University with a degree in Chinese history. She was tasked with taking phone bids on six-figure Chinese oil paintings, a job that ultimately turned into a full-time one. Her ability to speak Mandarin and her natural performance instinct quickly made her a star.
But what separates Kao from others is not precocity but fearlessness. She understands the room as a site of performance, where psychology, pacing, and charisma can determine the outcome. Her preparation for each auction is meticulous, with extensive research and memorization to ensure she's thoroughly knowledgeable about each piece. She's also a perfectionist, rehearsing her lines, warming up her voice, and meditating to get into the right mindset.
Fashion plays a significant role in Kao's structure of discipline, with designers approaching her for bespoke suits that echo the art on display. Yet despite her visibility, she doesn't approach her career as a branding exercise. Instead, she trusts herself and has a philosophy of going with the flow, jumping through opportunities when they arise.
Kao's ascent is a cultural recalibration, one that challenges the traditional art market's power structures. She walks into the system with charm, fluency, strategy, and performance instinct, shaping the room and redirecting desire in ways that redefine authority on the rostrum. The industry's biggest secret is that it needed her long before it realized it.
As Kao continues to break boundaries, she's not only making a name for herself but also paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps. With parity among auctioneers becoming increasingly important, she emphasizes that skill matters too – "Representation matters, but skill matters too. We have to be extraordinary."
In an industry where power is often seen as neutral and money as a matter of taste, Kao brings a much-needed dose of charisma and confidence. Her rise is a testament to the power of authenticity and hard work, a reminder that authority can come from mastery rather than mystique.
As Kao takes her place on the rostrum, it's clear that she's here to stay. She's not just calling bids – she's shaping the art world, one sale at a time.
In a world where power has long been coded as British and masculine, Phyllis Kao is shattering expectations with her effortless charisma and authoritative presence. As the senior vice president of client strategy at Sotheby's, she's built a reputation that extends far beyond the traditional art market.
Kao's journey to the top began by accident, when she took a temporary job at a small Northern California auction house after graduating from Columbia University with a degree in Chinese history. She was tasked with taking phone bids on six-figure Chinese oil paintings, a job that ultimately turned into a full-time one. Her ability to speak Mandarin and her natural performance instinct quickly made her a star.
But what separates Kao from others is not precocity but fearlessness. She understands the room as a site of performance, where psychology, pacing, and charisma can determine the outcome. Her preparation for each auction is meticulous, with extensive research and memorization to ensure she's thoroughly knowledgeable about each piece. She's also a perfectionist, rehearsing her lines, warming up her voice, and meditating to get into the right mindset.
Fashion plays a significant role in Kao's structure of discipline, with designers approaching her for bespoke suits that echo the art on display. Yet despite her visibility, she doesn't approach her career as a branding exercise. Instead, she trusts herself and has a philosophy of going with the flow, jumping through opportunities when they arise.
Kao's ascent is a cultural recalibration, one that challenges the traditional art market's power structures. She walks into the system with charm, fluency, strategy, and performance instinct, shaping the room and redirecting desire in ways that redefine authority on the rostrum. The industry's biggest secret is that it needed her long before it realized it.
As Kao continues to break boundaries, she's not only making a name for herself but also paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps. With parity among auctioneers becoming increasingly important, she emphasizes that skill matters too – "Representation matters, but skill matters too. We have to be extraordinary."
In an industry where power is often seen as neutral and money as a matter of taste, Kao brings a much-needed dose of charisma and confidence. Her rise is a testament to the power of authenticity and hard work, a reminder that authority can come from mastery rather than mystique.
As Kao takes her place on the rostrum, it's clear that she's here to stay. She's not just calling bids – she's shaping the art world, one sale at a time.
. She's all about being authentic and mastering her craft, no fuss or drama needed. It's like she's saying that power doesn't have to be all about showmanship - it can just be hard work and dedication. I think we could learn from her approach in so many areas of life 
. I mean, who would've thought that someone who started out taking phone bids on oil paintings would become a senior VP at Sotheby's? 
But seriously, her fearlessness and attention to detail are totally inspiring. I think it's awesome that she's not just focused on being charismatic (although, let's be real, she is 
. It's about time we see more women and people of color breaking into these traditionally male-dominated fields. Representation matters, but skill matters too - I love that she's saying that 
.
That's just so chic and sophisticated. And I appreciate how she doesn't approach her brand as a marketing exercise, but rather as an authentic extension of herself. She's not trying to be someone she's not; she's just being Phyllis Kao, with all her quirks and strengths 
.
but Phyllis Kao is literally my spirit person 
I love how she doesn't let fashion dictate her style (bespoke suits are cool and all, but sometimes less is more) and instead focuses on being a master of her craft. skill matters just as much as representation, you know? 
. I think it's time for us to rethink what authority looks like in our industries and Phyllis Kao is leading the way 
Her fearlessness and charisma in the art market are totally on point 
. But what really impresses me is that she's not just in it for the fame and fortune – she's got skills and passion pouring out of every pore 
. Representation matters, but skill matters too! 
#PhyllisKao #AuctioneeringGoals #WomenInSTEM #AuthenticityMatters
And can we talk about how she's redefining what authority looks like? Like, she's not trying to be some stuffy art expert, but actually bringing people into the art world with her charm and charisma. That's the kind of leadership I'm all about 
. I mean, I guess Phyllis Kao is kind of cool if you're into that sort of thing... her charisma and confidence are definitely infectious 
. Newsflash: just because you can wear a fancy suit and speak confidently doesn't mean you're in charge 
, Phyllis Kao is like a master puppeteer controlling the strings of power in the art world! She's breaking all these traditional barriers and norms, but you know what's even more suspicious? How she just happened to take that temporary job at a small auction house and then BAM! became this top-notch senior vice president. It sounds too good to be true, right? 
But hey, I guess it's cool that she's redefining authority and bringing some much-needed confidence to the table. Maybe she's not just doing it for herself, but also as part of a larger plan to shake things up in the industry... 
But, what really gets me is how nuanced her approach to authority is. It's not about flaunting her expertise or being showy; it's about knowing exactly when to hold back and let the art speak for itself. That mindful energy is super refreshing in an industry where everyone's trying to one-up each other. 
. But what I love most is how she's not just about herself, she's paving the way for others too. Representation matters, but skill matters too 
. i'm low-key obsessed with her now 
. I love how she trusts herself and isn't trying to be some fake person for the sake of appearances 
. The whole bespoke suit thing is super cool too 
. I'm so here for this cultural recalibration and more people like Phyllis Kao coming into the spotlight 
!