Almas Jiwani, a dynamic entrepreneur whose journey in the business world has been nothing short of an exhilarating adventure. Despite facing early challenges and having to redirect her path away from law school, Almas embraced uncertainty with determination, honing her salesmanship and communication skills. This paved the way for securing prestigious clients like Sunquest Vacations, American Express, CIBC, Alitalia, Air Transat and Air Canada to name a few, marking the beginning of her relentless pursuit of excellence in the ever-changing landscape of business development.
As a leader, Almas fosters a culture of innovation within her team. Regular brainstorming sessions, cross-functional collaboration, and the recognition of innovative ideas contribute to an environment where thinking outside the box is not just encouraged but rewarded. Almas also instills a healthy risk-taking mentality, viewing calculated risks as opportunities for growth. Almas has been a resilient force in addressing gender-related challenges throughout her professional journey. By consistently delivering results and emphasizing the importance of diversity, she actively challenges stereotypes. Initiatives like mentorship programs, advocating for equal opportunities, and engaging in dialogues on gender equality have been instrumental in her quest for a more inclusive workplace.
Within her organization, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is a priority for Almas. Specific initiatives, coupled with regular assessments of hiring practices and diversity training, reflect her commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has equal opportunities for growth. The balance between assertiveness and collaboration is achieved through a culture of mutual respect. Clear expectations are set, and open dialogue is encouraged. Almas actively listens to diverse viewpoints, recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of each team member to foster a collaborative environment centered around shared vision and collective success. As a woman leader, Almas believes in the distinctive strengths that women bring to leadership roles. Empathetic leadership styles, strong relationship-building skills, and collaborative problem-solving abilities contribute to enhanced creativity and innovation, ultimately leading to more robust decision-making processes. Mentorship and networking have been foundational to Almas’s career. Having been mentored by accomplished individuals, she actively engages in mentoring programs and remains accessible for guidance. Networking has been a powerful tool, opening doors to new opportunities and fostering collaborative partnerships.
For Almas, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital. Clear boundaries, effective delegation, and the power of saying no when necessary are prioritized. Regular self-care, including exercise and mindfulness, is non-negotiable. Almas encourages her team to embrace a healthy work-life balance, emphasizing that sustainable success comes from a holistic approach to life and work.
Remaining at the forefront of industry trends is crucial for Almas. Actively engaging with various sources such as industry publications, attending conferences, and participating in relevant webinars keeps her and her team agile and adaptive to emerging technologies, ensuring they maintain a competitive edge.
Advice to Aspiring Women Leaders:
For young women aspiring to leadership roles, Almas offers valuable advice. She encourages them to embrace challenges with resilience, fearlessly voice their ideas, seek mentorship, invest in continuous learning, and build a supportive network. Almas emphasizes that leadership is about empowering others and creating positive change, urging aspiring leaders to lead with authenticity and passion.
As a leader, Almas believes in cultivating a culture of continuous learning within her organization. She motivates her team to explore new ideas, take on challenging projects, and invest in skill development. Regular training programs are implemented, and the importance of learning from both successes and setbacks is highlighted. By fostering a learning-centric environment, Almas ensures her organization remains innovative and adaptive. In the rapidly evolving business landscape, Almas identifies adaptability, emotional intelligence, and effective communication as essential skills for women leaders. Navigating change, understanding diverse perspectives, communicating a compelling vision, fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and demonstrating resilience are crucial aspects of success in today’s dynamic business world.
Almas recognizes the foundational role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. She cultivates emotional intelligence within her team through open communication, active listening, and promoting a culture of mutual respect. This not only enhances teamwork but also contributes to a positive and inclusive work environment. Almas approaches setbacks as opportunities for growth, fostering a mindset within her team that embraces learning from failures. She encourages her team to analyze setbacks, extract valuable lessons, and apply insights to future endeavors. Resilience and adaptability are critical in overcoming challenges and turning them into stepping stones for success. Looking ahead, Almas envisions leaving a legacy of empowerment and inspiration. She aspires to contribute to a future where gender diversity is the norm, women feel empowered to lead and innovate without limitations, and positive change is driven through mentorship and advocacy.
Recognized as one of the 10 most influential women leaders in 2024, Almas plans to leverage this platform to advocate for gender equality, mentor aspiring women leaders, and support initiatives that empower women globally. By sharing experiences, fostering collaborations, and influencing policy changes, she aims to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world.
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Almas emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to stay competitive. Ongoing technological training for her team ensures they are well-versed in the latest advancements, allowing the organization to enhance efficiency and adapt to industry shifts effectively. A guiding principle that has been instrumental in Almas’s leadership journey is “Courage over Comfort.” This mantra encourages her to embrace challenges, step out of her comfort zone, and confront uncertainties with bravery. It inspires both herself and her team to make bold decisions, fostering a culture of courage in leadership. Fostering resilience and adaptability is a continual effort for Almas. Transparent communication, providing clarity during uncertain times, a mindset that views change as an opportunity, team-building activities, training on coping strategies, and recognizing adaptive behaviors all contribute to building a resilient and agile organizational culture.
In the world of business, Almas Jiwani stands out as a trailblazer, inspiring change, fostering innovation, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence.
