Amani Sadek, Chief People & Facilities Officer at Orange Egypt demonstrates a progressive career in which she led different operational roles in various functions. Amani sets the perfect example for self-evolution and seizing different opportunities, unleashing her full potential.
Amani Sadek, Chief People & Facilities Officer at Orange Egypt demonstrates a progressive career in which she led different operational roles in various functions. Having joined Orange Egypt in 1998 with a career shift from finance, in which she boasts 25 years of experience, to HR, she worked in Compensation & Payroll, performance management, and digitalizing HR processes, in addition to various HR functions, then working her way up to her current role.
Amani sets the perfect example for self-evolution and seizing different opportunities, unleashing her full potential. Aiming to live a worthwhile, purposeful life, she is on a continuous growth journey and is always open to taking on new challenges.
This interview is part of Business Today Egypt's Women in Business series. Catch all of the interviews here.
The most challenging aspect of my transition was bridging the knowledge gap between both finance and HR. While my financial skills were valuable, adapting to the distinct regulations and best practices in the HR field required significant effort as it has its own set of regulations and best practices. However, the reward of building a diverse and thriving workforce, fostering a positive work environment, and empowering individuals outweighs any challenges.
Over the years, I've been keen on constantly seizing opportunities to learn and grow through taking more challenges, networking, and embracing new responsibilities. Stepping outside my comfort zone helped me build resilience and increased my self-efficacy. And that’s what I advise other women; believe in your potential and don't be afraid to advocate for yourself, seek mentors who can guide you and celebrate your wins. Trust your abilities, and continuously learn and refine your skills.
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I believe in celebrating wins, whether big or small, in both personal and professional realms. Whether it's achieving a company milestone, receiving positive feedback, or mastering a new skill, acknowledging these moments fuels my motivation and keeps me focused on my goals.
For those seeking a career shift, especially women in male-dominated fields, I encourage doing thorough research, stepping out of the comfort zone, actively networking, and leveraging skills from previous experiences. Everyone brings a unique perspective and valuable skills to the table, and it's important not to be discouraged by the change in the environment. Embrace the opportunity to leverage existing strengths and learn new ones.
My personal bucket list includes living a purposeful life filled with growth and a commitment to making a positive impact. Professionally, I aim to lead initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization and to become a recognized leader in the HR industry, sharing expertise and insights on building high-performing teams and fostering positive workplace cultures.
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In one word, my leadership style can be described as "Participative." This style has evolved through diverse experiences, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, empathy, and a collaborative approach. Learning from both successes and setbacks has been crucial in shaping my participative leadership style.
What is the most unexpected skill or experience that has been valuable in your leadership journey?
The most unexpected valuable skill in my leadership journey has been active listening and understanding the importance of fostering open communication and recognizing diverse perspectives. This skill has significantly enhanced team dynamics and decision-making processes.
Staying motivated involves setting clear short and long-term goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and seeking inspiration from various sources. Regularly revisiting long-term objectives, celebrating small victories, learning from challenges, and team successes contribute to a sense of motivation throughout my career journey.
Time blocking has been my go-to productivity hack. Allocating specific time slots for focused work on distinct tasks helps prioritize and optimize efficiency while minimizing distractions.
The best advice to differentiate oneself is to cultivate a unique blend of skills and qualities, invest in continuous learning, develop an authentic personal brand, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and showcase a proactive attitude to stand out in any professional environment.
