I am a "Servant Leader”: Holiday Inn Dubai CEO Roxana Jaffer

The CEO of the international hospitality chain Holiday Inn in Dubai, is quite a rousing woman. Roxana Jaffer is used to challenging her comfort zone- and there is only one possible explanation behind it- she simply loves people, and loves a good challenge!

One would have thought that erecting a 4 star, 8 story, 320 room franchised HOTEL from scratch is no task for a novice, but Roxana did it with effortless flair. Read on to know about her award-winning exploits in an alien industry in an alien land that is known to be no amusement park for its women.

In an interview conducted by Binjal Shah for SheThePeople.TV, Roxana Jaffer talks about her life and her leadership journey.

You made a choice, a choice of being a working woman, in a conservative land like UAE. And you managed to make it to the heart of the Hospitality industry…

 In the UAE, women are respected much more then what gets portrayed in the media.  As a female leader, in a young city that is making records and has taken a place of reckoning on the global stage, I am very fortunate to be making waves in the hospitality industry, where my voice gets heard in a male dominated arena and where I have a chance to empower other women to shatter the glass ceiling quicker then I was able to do so.

Was it a swift climb to the top, or did you have to brave social and legal calamities; inconspicuous roadblocks perhaps?

 My story starts from London UK, where I had to combat both colour prejudice and sexism to shatter the glass ceiling, especially when I set out running my own business.  Indeed there were several roadblocks, but with perseverance and sheer belief in myself, I overcame them.

I believe the roadblocks are not always men, but other women who do not like other women succeeding and see them as a threat. Others may experience roadblocks put by their families or spouse, which I was fortunate not to experience.

Roxana Jaffer

Engaging with a global audience is intrinsic to your life- belonging to the hospitality industry, as well as being an international speaker and icon. How has that enriched your perspective towards the women’s movement, and your personal struggles?

 My readings are based on women in Kenya where I hail from, in UK where I grew up, in India where my grandmother 90 years ago, set up an orphanage in Gujarat and in UAE where I reside now.

My main learning has been - no matter what country we hail from, no matter what culture, no matter what caste or religion, struggle for women will be the meaning of life. If a woman wants to reach the top and be classified as an equal, the journey will not always be easy, but it is possible.  The negotiation is fulfilling and enriching, when every pitfall, every adversity faced take one a step ahead in the journey to the top as ways to maneuver the curves appear with the problem.

Most women don’t like to move out of their comfort zone - but I have realized that the cocoon of comfort is weaved by us and can be pierced with determination, if aspired.

What are the mantras that you have followed through your life that you would like to share with the aspiring women leaders of today?

This is in fact, one of my classic topics of presentation- titled “Ideal Make- up of a 21st Century Global Female Leader.” Here are some lessons I strongly stand for, in my eight point mantra.

Believe in yourself- success can only be grasped through self-awareness. Focus on Excellence, not success. And lastly, leadership is about teamwork- without followers, you are not a leader.

How important is it, rewarding women's achievements? What role do awards play in the women's movement? 

 In the beginning, I believed that I was not being humble as I talked about my accolades and awards - but I realized that if I wanted to be a role-model, wanted to mentor other young ladies, wanted to be their mentors, I had to inform them that if I could achieve anything, they could also.

Today I am a "Servant Leader" - one who inculcates the heart of a servant to lead. It is a vital attribute, humility. I believe that with every achievement, one must "grow smaller" to become a worthy exemplar.