By Shruti Menon Seeboo
Wazeerah Badurally Adam, a dynamic Head of Human Resources at FTL Group, embodies the spirit of continuous growth, balancing a demanding career with the pursuit of a Doctorate in Business Administration. Her philosophy is rooted in the concept of “Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn,” a mantra that fuels her intellectual curiosity and professional development. “The concept of Learn, Unlearn, and Relearn is something I deeply believe in and it keeps my mind active,” she states. “This allows me to stay up-to-date and contribute to empowering my team at work whilst imparting the most up-to-date knowledge across the company I am working at.” For Waz, this pursuit isn’t merely a personal endeavour; it’s a commitment to setting an example for others. “Most importantly, as an HR, setting a good example is the first step in persuading others to invest in their continuous journey of self-development. Furthermore, as a leader, my education enables me to frame my decisions more effectively, with stronger arguments and more profound discussions.” Her dedication extends beyond the corporate sphere, weaving into her community involvement. “In parallel to my professional world, I am an active member of an NGO, namely Centre Des Dames Mourides (CDM), where I ensure that those skills are transferred into their projects and the community can also benefit from it.”
International Women’s Day, a moment of both celebration and reflection, prompts Waz to consider the essential skills and mindsets needed for women to thrive in today’s professional landscape. “Our enemies are often ourselves. Our ambition can be hindered by self-doubt or a certain set of beliefs. We need to keep the end in mind. Will you be proud of yourself when you look back in 10 years?” She emphasises the critical role of discipline and flexibility. “The key, though, is in the process, with discipline being the first rule. As women, we often prioritise others despite having professional and personal needs. It is important to be disciplined about setting aside time for ourselves. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to be flexible. This is where I am deeply inspired by the ZigZag technique; I stay focused on the outcome, but am highly adaptable in changing my ways to achieve it, as long as it is ethical. This enables me to anticipate chaos and navigate through without losing sight of the outcome.” Her own DBA journey has served as a practical application of these principles. “At the beginning of my DBA, I was not scoring well in my assignments. So I decided to set aside a specific hour every week. If there were any unexpected work or personal needs, I would handle them first and then find another time in the same week. Although this is a lot of pressure, I consider it as positive stress because the outcome is all worth it.”
The process of upskilling, often entailing stepping outside one’s comfort zone, has presented Waz with significant challenges. “I have to travel to other offices in different countries as part of my professional obligations. Prior to my trip, planning my personal commitments was already a challenge, and now I had to squeeze in the DBA course. I had to adjust; I would plan my business trip on the day after the deadline of my assignment. By doing this, I can submit before my trip, and once I’m back, I have two weeks to work on my next assignment. This proper planning was detrimental.” She also acknowledges the power of intention in navigating these challenges. “Also, I use the power of intention. I set my intention on my priorities and let that intention flow throughout the day or week. This has never failed me!”
Balancing professional ambitions and personal responsibilities is a common struggle for many women, and Waz offers practical and compassionate advice. “Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Women tend to be perfectionists, and our worst self-criticism is self-judgment. I suggest that you ease into this and acknowledge that you are human.” She stresses the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. “I took a while to begin taking a break when there was too much to handle. Don’t feel guilty about your assignment being pending whilst attending that family dinner. When you return from dinner, your mind will be refreshed and you will finish those pending tasks more quickly. To me, it’s like dissociating from the hot plate and reconnecting with it when it’s cold and can be handled.”
Looking ahead, Waz envisions making a significant impact through her continued learning and leadership. “To begin with, I want to be proud of myself for having endured this challenging journey. Then, the business I am working in will definitely benefit from my more rational and composed decisions, which will also allow me to suggest other approaches to the business. Additionally, I aim to contribute to the community by intelligently evaluating and implementing projects at CDM.” Her message to other women is one of empowerment and self-belief, a call to action. “My message to others is that if you don’t prioritise yourself, nobody else will. The peak of the mountain may seem unreachable or only accessible to certain people. Don’t underestimate your ability to practice regularly and reach that goal. Each person has the same resources within themselves. Some chose to activate those resources, whilst others kept them dormant or remained in a doubtful state. When you succeed in a challenging journey, you will have a greater sense of self-fulfilled. This will naturally manifest in the world around you, whether it be personal, professional, or social.” She closes with a powerful quote that encapsulates her philosophy:“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education” 1 – Martin Luther King Jr. This quote, in its essence, reflects Waz’s journey, a woman who is continually learning, leading, and inspiring others through her character and dedication to education.
