Atlantis The Palm Jumeirah Dubai

Ini lah sebabnya kenapa aku takleh attend Handbag Auction For Charity semalam.

Eh! Salah. Sebabnya ialah ini...

Middle East, North Africa and Turkey Regional Leadership Meeting.

There're a few sessions and the session that I was involved in was Women in Leadership Role held by the Women Network.

Kebetulan session ni dianjurkan di The Palm Jumeirah Dubai or better known as Atlantis. Cantik tempatnya. Since aku sampai awal tadi, dapat la jalan2 tengok2 keadaan sekeliling. Kat sini kalau not a guest there takleh jalan suka2 hati.

I drove from AD and sampai kat Atlantis konpius mana nak park. Rupanya valet park. Nasib baik company bayo. Kalau  tak haru gak tgk rate nye 150AED. Masuk hotel hilang bayangan yang saya sebenarnye berada di Middle East (if you know what I meant). Beach dia lawa. Tapi tempat main main air tak sempat nk g checkout. Nak amik gambar byk sgt tak berani pasal mana2 pegi pun mesti ada ikan duyung (dugong pun ada gak).

Me checking out the fish (kali ni real fish)

The session is about what should the company do to encourage women to become leader. Apparently, in this region, there're only 15% women population in the company. So, they're saying that, out of 15% brapa je yg berpotensi nak jadi leader. They're afraid that the pipeline is not enough for future growth.

Berperah otak la kami mencari idea and action plan mcm mana nak encourage women to take the leadership role. Mcm2 benda gak keluar tadi. Tapi mostly cakap nak longer maternity leave (yg mana I personally think should not be there), company sponsored nursery (this one is brilliant), part time worker (also not a very good idea), training (common), mandatory quota in each team (well.... ), start having business lunch rather than dinner (can't agree more. single pun malas nak g dinner tau) and many more.

Personally, I think that the women here are lack of self confidence and skills. Compared to what I've been through in Malaysia, women in Malaysia is much more aggressive. Maybe because we have the channel (Women Network there is quite strong) that provide all these opportunity for us to shine and be known. Here, they think too much of work/life balance. I know it's important. Of course you would want to see you kids grow up. But if that is more important to you, than you have to let go your career as a leader. If a company is willing to let you work as part timer, they won't pay you as much. And how can you be a leader if you only work 6 months out of 12? Doesn't make sense isn't it?

What I think they need are opportunities. They need to have the opportunity to understand what the company needs in a leader. They need to know if they have the leadership quality that the company is looking for. And from company perspective, they need to give the opportunity to the women to show that they can do it. Give the women small projects to work on. Get to know these women. Get them involve in your conversation. Women are naturally shy. It's our nature. But that doesn't mean we don't have great ideas. Just give us a chance. Shut up and listen to what we have to say. You'll be surprise.

Last skali, saje2 g amik gambar bengong kat bawah ni. Company bayo kan... belasah je la...

Shaimaa, Me and Hema - Iron Ladies in GEONG MENAT