To become a transformative leader in the 21st century is neither a quick-fix, nor technical skills that are learned in a Podcast or management course. It’s a process of transformative growth that requires self-mastery and radically new mindsets. It‘s not for the faints of heart.Today’s world is characterized by complexity, paradoxes and contradictions. To succeed [...]
A pattern emerged early in my journey of mentoring women leaders of change. They would often seek guidance on entrepreneurial challenges such as vision, funding, and leadership. However, what they failed to recognize is that the biggest hurdle they face lies within themselves. Their own self-image and beliefs limit their potential to achieve greatness.To realize [...]
We're a kind of consciousness on crack, bound by our beliefs and experiences that shape our reality. Our life's journey, with its traumas, triumphs, and challenges, moulds our neural networks, constantly shaping our biology. Everything that happens to us, becomes us. We are, essentially, addicted to our worldviews. The good news? Mindsets are not as [...]
My 85 year-old mother, residing in a nursing home, became single last month. After 38 years of marriage, her husband filed for divorce.The situation caused a rift within the family, exposing pre-existing cracks. Sides were firmly taken, lawyers hired.But it’s the darkest moments that spark transformation. When life as we know it falls apart, shattering [...]
This is the incident that made me exit my humanitarian career.Humanitarians can be incredibly inhumane towards themselves. And I had become one of them. Wanting to better the world without bettering myself first:As he was passing me, the businessman stopped.He threw a coin in my cup.I stared at him in disbelief as he walked away....trying [...]
The first employee I ever dismissed – after two serious notices – recently invited me to spend three beautiful days with her and her family in the Balkans. Though I had to let go another 60 staff in the same operation due to budget cuts, Jelena’s case was different. Her position was not at stake, [...]
During a work trip to Nepal, I attended the funeral of the Tibetan Lama, Rinpoche Geshe Lhundrup Rigsel. It was a day-long ceremony at the Kopan Monastery assisted by 900 monks. A long procession carried the Lama’s body to the place of cremation in a meditative sitting position and dressed like a deity. Hours [...]
My mobile phone rang with a call from Burundi. Through static and whistling wind, I heard the voice of Kandinda, the Congolese vice-president of the Karurama refugee camp from where I had returned a few months earlier. We had worked side-by-side in Cibitoke, situated in the triangle between Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, and very [...]
I remember the scent of the Arabic sweets my mom brought with her back from Lebanon. She kept them in a special cupboard and we were not allowed to touch. I often opened the door to this cupboard to inhale the exotic fragrance of orange blossom, rosewater and cardamom, staring intently at the dried [...]
I landed in Bamako early in the morning and, after a quick hotel check-in, headed to the UNHCR office. Once there, it became apparent that my access to a local mobile, radio and personal Call-ID would be delayed. Deciding to make use of the extra time, I headed off with a driver to the [...]
