Fashion model and television host turned lifestyle publishing guru, Zoya Sakr, is one of the Middle East's most influential businesswomen. In 2011, she cofounded 2pure ePublishing—now known as the Online Lifestyle Network (OLN)—which helped fill a need in the market for engaging Arabic-language content. To sharpen her leadership acumen and take her business to the next level, she decided to attend the Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education Senior Executive Leadership Program—Middle East (SELPME).
There were some weaknesses that I needed to overcome in order to become a better leader. I was in my comfort zone, using the same old management techniques, and I wanted to deepen my expertise. I had read about HBS and always admired the style of teaching, so I decided to apply to the program.
It was great! As the mom of three, I would have found it impossible to spend several weeks in Boston. Because the program was so convenient, I was able to participate with minimal disruption to my family life.
When I was little, my mom always had a book in front of her face. She was always studying, and she has inspired me to keep studying too. So, although I sometimes feel guilty for leaving my kids even for a week, wanting to be an inspiration for them outweighs that feeling. My nine-year-old son knows everything about Harvard now. He's excited about the prospect of attending a big university someday. I always tell him, "You're going to make me proud."
The most important thing to invest in is your knowledge. We're all accustomed to our own ways of doing business, so it’s incredibly rewarding when you learn to think in a different way. This program is a game changer—both in terms of how to do business and how to lead your team.
If I were to speak with a prospective participant, I would say enjoy every moment, enjoy every teacher, and fully focus on the program. The cases are amazing—and we had the opportunity to look at them from every angle. In this program, we had 14 professors, each of whom shared their unique expertise, knowledge, and experiences.
We studied company culture, which motivated me to examine my own organization's culture. I also gained the tools to refine my leadership style and learned many new concepts that I'm eager to implement at OLN.
My program colleagues offered important feedback on how to improve my business in key target markets. I didn't just learn from the professors, I also learned from the great minds that were in the class. We all learn, and in many ways, we all teach.
I love my team and their enthusiasm. We often work seven days a week, so it's tough, but it's also fun. Right now, we're exploring the Saudi market, opening a production company there, and developing content focused on that region.
I also enjoy covering global events and interviewing fascinating people from around the world. I have so many sources of inspiration. A fellow SELPME participant, a colleague, a business partner—everyone inspires me.
