IWD 2024 - Sajida Bandukwala

A short paragraph about your career journey leading to where you are now

Throughout my career journey, I've continually sought opportunities to grow and challenge myself. The initial part of my career was working for three leading GSM mobile operators supporting the launch of these services in Pakistan. I also headed Marketing and Public Relations departments at Sheraton Hotel and Intel before I moved to the UK 20 years ago. My career went back to Telco including 5 years at Sky UK leading many large-scale projects and dispersed teams, and then within the social enterprise sector for 6 years including heading the global Marketing Planning and Performance department across 130 countries at the British Council. In the last couple of years, I moved back to Telco, leading a huge AI based transformational programme for the Telco industry. I embraced each role with enthusiasm, always eager to learn and contribute. As I progressed, I realised my passion for challenging myself and others and driving positive change within organisations. This realization inspired me to pursue leadership roles where I could leverage my skills to motivate teams and achieve collective goals.

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role?

One of the key motivators for me to pursue a leadership role was witnessing the impact that effective leadership can have on individuals and organisations. Seeing how a strong leader can inspire, guide, and support their team members to reach their full potential resonated deeply with me. I aspired to be that catalyst for growth and success within my own teams. Equally I have also experienced poor leadership from my seniors, which gave me a lot of insight on ‘how not to manage teams’ as the output of demotivated teams was significant to organisations.

What is or are your biggest career achievements?

Reflecting on my career, some of my proudest achievements include leading cross-functional teams to successfully launch innovative projects e.g the ArtFest which was an annual art and cultural festival bringing together all forms of art under one roof, launching the triple play and Fibre while I was at Sky and more recently a digital integration programme with Openreach, driving significant revenue growth through strategic initiatives, and fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence within my department.

How did you develop your leadership skills?

My leadership skills have been honed through a combination of hands-on experience, continuous learning, and seeking feedback from peers and mentors. I've attended leadership development programs, workshops, and actively sought out opportunities to lead projects and initiatives that stretched my abilities.

How do you define your leadership style?

I would describe my leadership style as collaborative and inclusive. I believe in empowering team members to take ownership of their work while providing guidance and support as needed. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and motivated to contribute their best. I think teams with collective goals and recognition work so much better than leaders with individual objectives

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

One of the most important leadership lessons I've learned is the value of empathy and active listening. Understanding the perspectives and needs of team members is crucial for building trust and creating a positive work culture. The other key behaviour that I have always tried to adhere to is treating everyone with respect regardless of their level in the organisation. Whilst I have been personally subjected to it, I think bullying and harassment at work should be taken more seriously and in the UK. Most all companies have the right policies, it is not practically implemented.   

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career so far?

While I've achieved many milestones in my career, I wouldnt say that I have achieved everything I wanted to. I feel, I have so much more to offer but due to personal issues or reasons beyond my control, I have had to switch jobs from one country to another. I feel that at any point of your career, especially when things around us are changing so fast, we should always aim for higher and work towards personal growth and improvement.

How important is personal development to your success, and how do you approach it?

Personal development is integral to my success, and I prioritise it by setting aside time for continuous learning, self-reflection, and seeking out new challenges. I also feel that learning from people at all levels an ages is also critical to personal development. I have worked when we didn’t have emails let alone any social media, and the new digital world that we see now, we are working with different types of people who have a different working style. I find that whilst I focus a lot on reading and keeping up with the trends through trainings and certifications, I equally learn a lot from the younger generation.

How do you prioritise tasks when everything feels like a priority?

When faced with multiple competing priorities, I prioritise tasks based on their impact, urgency, and alignment with strategic objectives. I focus on tackling high-priority tasks first while delegating or postponing less critical ones as needed.

What was the hardest decision you have taken as a leader?

The hardest decision I've had to make as a leader was navigating a major restructuring initiative that impacted the organisation's workforce. It was a challenging process that required balancing the needs of the business with empathy and compassion for those affected.

What steps do you take to measure your own performance?

To measure my own performance, I set clear goals and objectives aligned with the organisation's vision. I regularly track progress, solicit feedback from stakeholders, and assess outcomes to identify areas for improvement. I love data, analytics, insights, performance management and I have used this in every role. I make decisions based on data and I like to apply that to myself also when measuring my own performance.

What does success mean for you as a business leader?

Success, for me, as a business leader, goes beyond financial metrics. It's about creating a positive impact on people's lives, creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and leaving a lasting legacy of positive change within the organization. Additionally, I think a department or an organisation is only successful when there is respect for everyone and no one is above others.

What advice would you give to someone starting off their career as a future business leader?

For someone starting their career as a future business leader, my advice would be to never stop learning, stay adaptable in the face of change, seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support, and always lead with integrity, empathy, and a clear vision for the future.