Chief Change Officer Podcast: Episode Summary
Episode Title:
Sihame El Kaouakibi: Rising from Rock Bottom to Achieve Peak Performance — Part One
Release Date:
December 30, 2024
Host:
Vince Chan
Guest:
Siham L. Kawakibi
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Chief Change Officer, host Vince Chan welcomes Siham L. Kawakibi, a multifaceted leader with Moroccan roots based in Belgium. Siham's journey is a testament to resilience and transformation, navigating through entrepreneurial ventures, political challenges, and personal adversities. This conversation delves deep into her life’s pivotal moments, her battle with burnout and mental health, and the invaluable lessons she gleaned from her experiences.
Guest Background and Journey
Siham's Early Life and Career Milestones
Siham begins by sharing her background: born in 1986 to Moroccan immigrants in Belgium, she carved out a successful path over the past two decades as an entrepreneur and five-time founder. Her ventures focused on empowerment programs, IT education for youth and women, and championing diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Siham served as a member of parliament, further expanding her impact on society.
Key Milestones:
- Entrepreneurial Success: Co-founded multiple firms aimed at promoting next-gen inclusion and diversity.
- Political Involvement: Entered politics five years ago, which proved to be a challenging chapter.
- Overcoming Adversity: Survived burnout and bankruptcy, leading to a profound personal transformation.
Notable Quote:
"I'm more than resilient. I am antifragile. I find strength in adversity." — Siham L. Kawakibi [03:55]
Navigating Mental Health Challenges
The Impact of Politics and Personal Struggles
Siham candidly discusses her struggle with mental health, exacerbated by her foray into politics. She highlights how the high-pressure environment and toxic work culture in parliament led to severe burnout and PTSD.
Key Points:
- Transition to Politics: Initially driven by a desire to foster change, Siham found the political arena to be a zero-sum game, unlike her entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Burnout and Diagnosis: The intense demands and negativity in politics culminated in burnout and a PTSD diagnosis.
- Recovery Process: Emphasizes the importance of a support system, including coaching, therapy, and educational resources, in her healing journey.
Notable Quote:
"When life takes an unexpected turn, I went from doing very well to hitting rock bottom. ... It forced me to slow down and rebuild from the ground up." — Siham L. Kawakibi [07:58]
Lessons Learned:
- Redefining Success: Moving away from external validation to internal alignment with her values and purpose.
- Holistic Healing: Aligning mind, body, and soul for sustainable mental health.
- Support Systems: The crucial role of coaching, therapy, and community in overcoming mental health challenges.
The Harsh Realities of Political Engagement
Challenges Faced in Parliament
Siham elaborates on her experience as a young parliamentarian in a predominantly conservative and nationalist environment. She recounts the hostility she faced, including hate speech on social media targeting her as the youngest elected member.
Key Points:
- Unexpected Political Entry: Reluctantly entered politics due to rising extremism and a desire to combat sexism and racism.
- Toxic Environment: Dealt with a workplace dominated by far-right ideologies, making it difficult to effect positive change.
- Consequences of Politics: Led to personal and professional setbacks, including bankruptcy and strained relationships.
Notable Quote:
"Politics is a difficult chapter in my life... I invested all my time in politics, leaving my teams and projects behind, and it almost cost me everything." — Siham L. Kawakibi [15:12]
Key Lessons:
- Alignment with Values: The importance of staying true to personal principles and the necessity to quit if they are compromised.
- Building Strong Foundations: Ensuring robust support systems and collaborative projects to avoid isolation.
- Understanding Political Dynamics: Recognizing that political change is seldom a solo endeavor and requires collective effort.
Reflections on Leadership and Authenticity
Embracing Authentic Leadership
Siham emphasizes the significance of authentic leadership, especially for women in positions of power. She advocates for leadership that is rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity, rather than mimicking traditionally masculine traits.
Key Points:
- Authenticity vs. Conformity: The struggle to maintain one's genuine self in a toxic environment often leads to the loss of vulnerability and authenticity.
- Feminine Leadership Strengths: Leveraging inherent strengths like empathy and emotional intelligence to lead effectively.
- Choosing the Right Environment: The necessity of surrounding oneself with supportive and like-minded individuals to thrive.
Notable Quote:
"When you have to be someone that you're not, you lose your authenticity. ... It's important to lead with your authentic self." — Siham L. Kawakibi [24:53]
Lessons for Women Leaders:
- Self-Care and Prioritization: Putting personal well-being first to sustain the capacity to lead and support others.
- Redirection Through Rejection: Viewing rejection as an opportunity to find a more supportive and aligned environment.
- Empowerment Through Community: Building and finding tribes that uphold authentic and inclusive leadership values.
Conclusion and Moving Forward
Embracing Change and Purpose
Siham concludes by reflecting on her transformation from a burnout survivor to a thriving consultant and coach. She underscores the importance of aligning one’s career with personal values and the necessity of prioritizing mental health for sustained success and fulfillment.
Key Points:
- Reset and Rebuild: Using adversities as catalysts for personal growth and redefinition of purpose.
- Sustainable Success: Achieving peak performance by maintaining alignment with one’s core beliefs and values.
- Continued Advocacy: Transitioning from politics to consulting and coaching, where her impact-driven mindset can flourish without the toxic constraints.
Notable Quote:
"I decided to use this rock bottom as a reset button and rebuild from the ground up. Today, my mental health is better than before because I'm aligned with my mind, body, and soul." — Siham L. Kawakibi [12:51]
Key Takeaways
- Resilience is Learnable: Transforming adversity into strength is a developed skill, not an innate trait.
- Mental Health is Fundamental: Prioritizing mental well-being is crucial for personal and professional success.
- Align with Your Values: Ensuring that your career and actions reflect your core beliefs leads to greater fulfillment.
- Authentic Leadership Matters: Leading with authenticity fosters genuine connections and sustainable impact.
- Choose Your Environment Wisely: Surrounding yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals enhances your ability to thrive.
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