Bazaar Belief: Salma Al Maawali On Having It All, Her Greatest Joy And Listening To Her Heart
“I think that it’s crucial for people to possess values of honesty, respect, and open-mindedness…”
Salma Al Maawali, the first-ever female CEO of a telecommunications company in Oman, has broken new ground by making FRiENDi Mobile 100 percent single-use plastic-free. She chats to Bazaar here about what advice she would give her younger self, the aspects of her job she enjoys the most, and her biggest regret.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): Can we have it all?
Salma Al Maawali (SM): The word ‘all’ is quite relative to me. I don’t necessarily think one can have it all, you need to define what ‘all’ means to you and put yourself out there to achieve it.
HBA: Describe yourself in three words…
SM: Determined, patient and calm
HBA: What aspects of you job do you enjoy the most?
SM: The best part of working in my industry is its dynamic nature. Every day is different and one must have a certain level of agility to manage it. There’s also an element of joy in helping people create value in the things they do, and it’s wonderful to witness the promising results of their hard work.
HBA: What would you tell your youngest self?
SM: I really wish I could tell my younger self to not get too caught up worrying about the future and just enjoy living life to fullest.
HBA: Your biggest regret?
SM: If I could go back and change something in my life, it would be to not give into fear of judgement and just be myself.
HBA: The best piece of advice for someone in your field?
SM: It is imperative to know your basics, take your time to learn and understand the field gradually, observe closely what idea works and what doesn’t, learn from the experts, reflect from other people’s experiences, and incorporate their learning into building your own expertise.
HBA: What do you listen to most: your head, heart, or gut?
SM: When I was younger, I would listen more to my head. However, as I started getting older and learned more, I listen more to my heart now as it is the way to my head and my gut.
HBA: Which experience in life taught you most about yourself?
SM: I studied abroad when I was 18 years old and I travelled and lived alone for five years, therefore I had to be extremely self-reliant and independent. This experience changed me for the better, I learned how to take my own decisions and manage the outcome.
HBA: Who is your biggest inspiration?
SM: My mother since day one – I strive to become someone she would be proud of.
HBA: Favourite motto you live your life by?
SM: One of Gandhi’s most inspiring quotes that I always live by is, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’.
HBA: What are you most passionate about?
SM: I am deeply passionate in helping people develop and be empowered because when they can unlock the best versions of themselves, they become the greatest assets of an organisation.
HBA: What feeds your soul?
SM: I love being around nature, carrying out my daily spiritual practice and spending time with my children.
HBA: My greatest joy is…
SM: My kids’ laughter.
HBA: What values do you most admire in others?
SM: I think that it’s crucial for people to possess values of honesty, respect, and open-mindedness.
HBA: The value you most admire in yourself?
SM: Despite facing numerous challenges, my aspiration to continue growing and progressing has never wavered.
HBA: What does family mean to you?
SM: My family is a source of unconditional love and support to me; I am truly happiest in their presence.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s September 2021 issue