‘Embracing uncertainty: When the strategy is uncertain, the best managers acknowledge what’s unknown, but also look ahead to what is known.’ The Harvard Business Review (Special Issue) Summer 2020 Most of my work revolves around resilience.

• Read more about The Turning Point

This year will probably be remembered by the uncertainty we all faced. Back in January, we all no doubt made plans to travel abroad, start a new business, pursue an MBA, or seek many other projects that would have made the year 2020 an amazing one. However, things turned out to be completely different. 

• Read more about Why Invest In An MBA With So Much Uncertainty Around?

 

• Read more about Living the INSEAD Life with Gratitude in the Year of COVID

“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then” – Lewis Caroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland It was 2AM, and I was lying in my bed in Dubai, perfectly content with life but hungry for change. Hungry for more. Contentment is a fickle friend and can lead to complacency.

• Read more about The Start of the '21J Journey

As a senior director for a fast-growing global real estate development company, I face a much more complex environment now, than when I first started my career. I am required to tackle challenges and make strategic prescriptions to the board — decisions that have an impact on the future of the business in a context of an overall transformation of the industry. This is particularly heightened by the uncertainty the global pandemic brings to many aspects of the business, of our projects and my responsibilities. 

• Read more about Facing Current Challenges and Crafting the Future

Is launching a business the best way to fulfill your purpose? Are you dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, but you are too afraid of taking the risk?

• Read more about How to Overcome Your Fear of Becoming an Entrepreneur

When I thought about pursuing a Masters in Finance for the first time, I was working for a family-owned business in a regional role, responsible for the finance and administrative departments of different countries. Before that, I was working in Corporate roles at headquarters of German family-owned global players with different shorter stays abroad in different countries over the years, always with a focus on Accounting and Controlling.

• Read more about Takeaways From My Journey

I discovered the INSEAD Executive Master in Finance (EMFin) programme through my employer, Macquarie Bank. I interviewed past alumni at Macquarie and they all spoke very highly of the programme. Through INSEAD, they had gained the knowledge and skills to progress in their careers. I was also attracted by the global reputation of the EMFin. Although I have worked for two global investment banks, I have never worked outside the US, so I was excited for the opportunity to expand my exposure to global markets and the professionals in those markets.

• Read more about A Renewed Interest in Finance

One year ago, when I embarked on the INSEAD MBA, I thought I already knew everything about diversity. Nationalities, cultures, and genders – I thrive in environments with different kinds of people. Surely INSEAD’s environment would be no different. Confidently, I breezed through the school’s front doors on my first day. Little did I know that it was the start of a journey that would soon reveal my naivety about diversity.

• Read more about Things I Wish I Knew Before Joining INSEAD

Having gone through the 2008 financial crisis and now going through the COVID-19 crisis, I am convinced that one needs to adapt to fast-changing environments by acquiring new skills and challenging the status quo. Something that I strongly believe in, is that the Executive MBA (EMBA) programme at INSEAD will help me navigate not only this current crisis, but future ones as well. The programme will help me to develop the right mindset in order to anticipate and embrace changes in my industry and my work environment.

• Read more about Anticipating and Embracing Changes