Here is a great lesson in leadership thought from Mohammed ElHefnawy.
Living in Dubai, I found it difficult to balance my busy schedule, work and personal life. When I entered the retail industry as a Junior Manager in 2017, I was driven by a single-minded vision of business improvement and personal success.
In 2019, I was promoted to a management position but was on the verge of burnout. My constant pursuit of perfection left me exhausted and neglecting my well-being.
Then came 2020, marked by the pandemic but also by a life-changing meeting with a life coach. The crucial moment came when she asked, “What are your top five priorities?” » I mentioned my relationship with Allah, my job, my son, my family and my friends – the list seemed long.
But then she asked me a question that shocked me: “And you, are in included in such list?”
This was a shocking discovery; I forgot to put myself as a priority.
That was an ‘A-ha moment’ to me and then an immediate change was needed.
I took very committed steps towards my new list and the results were surprising. Despite the pandemic, my work efficiency increased by 23% year on year. In nine months, I lost 115kg to reach 70kg.
On a personal level, I pursued certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) and embarked on an MBA. My personal and professional relationships dramatically improved.
The message is clear :
Self-prioritization is not selfish; it is crucial to success. Personal and professional development consultants play a key role in this journey.
As Joyce Meyer says, “If we live a self-centered, self-motivated, self-centered life, always wanting to go our own way, we will be unhappy.” » My journey has made the truth clear: By appreciating ourselves, we enrich our lives, increase our successes and deepen our relationships.
As I continue this journey, my leadership style has evolved. I extended the principles of self-care to my team and moved from working for me success to working for their success journey.
The most important thing was to promote a culture of collaboration and support. I showed genuine interest in each team member, understanding their needs and encouraging open communication. Regular meetings gave them strength and allowed innovative ideas to emerge.
Investments in their development were of paramount importance. I encouraged them to learn and improve in their career. Mentoring and Coaching have become the norm and promote personal and professional development.
I empowered my team by giving them autonomy and responsibility in their work. The results were surprising. Commitment, motivation and teamwork have increased. We went from working for me to achieving common goals together.
My Journey from Burnout to Confident Leadership is a testament to the power of prioritising, taking care of yourself and working for your team. It is a path to excellence, both personally and professionally, and reminds us that when you invest in your team, you enable them to achieve great things.
In conclusion, my journey is a testament to the power of prioritisation, self-care, and servant leadership. It encapsulates the transformation from burnout to empowering leadership, underlining the significance of valuing oneself and working for the success of the team.
Amazing journey Mohammed ElHefnawy and what a turn around. Congratulations and wish you every success in your personal and professional life. You are a perfect example to all those aspiring Managers, when you set goals and chase them with determination, success is around the corner. Good luck and God Bless.