Breaking Cinderella: Rola Diab on rewriting success narratives, mastering mindset

In this interview with Gulf Business, Rola Diab, a seasoned business and leadership consultant, speaker, and performance strategist at Alor Solutions, delves into the inspiration behind her ‘Breaking Cinderella’ programme, tackles the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, and shares invaluable insights on building a resilient leadership career.

Diab discusses the critical mindset shifts required for entrepreneurs to thrive, the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries, and the science behind manifestation and peak performance.

What are some of the most common mindset shifts required for entrepreneurs to go from survival mode to thriving in their business?

The first shift is from scarcity to abundance. Focus on what you lack, and you will always struggle. Winners see opportunities everywhere. They ask: “How do I create more?” not “How do I survive?”.

Next, stop working inside the business and start working on it. Grind every day, and you are just another worker. Step back, build systems, and scale. Thriving entrepreneurs do not just work, they construct machines that multiply their efforts.

Then, move from reacting to anticipating. Most waste time putting out fires. The ones who dominate stay five steps ahead. They build structures that eliminate problems before they start. They train their minds to see challenges as fuel for evolution.

Many entrepreneurs struggle with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. What advice do you have for breaking free from these limiting beliefs?

Imposter syndrome stems from comparing ourselves to an unrealistic standard and undervaluing our lived experiences. The key to breaking free is rewiring your internal narrative. One powerful strategy is evidence stacking — document every win, every moment you delivered value, and every skill you’ve mastered. When doubt creeps in, revisit this list. Also, stop seeking permission.

Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for success; action creates confidence.

As a woman who has worked with top global companies, what were the biggest challenges you faced in male-dominated industries?

Some men feel the need to establish control early, creating a dynamic that can be challenging for women in leadership. Rather than reacting with direct confrontation, I found success in strategic influence — balancing strength with emotional intelligence to create a space where everyone feels heard while still maintaining authority.

Women naturally excel in emotional intelligence, which is a critical advantage in leadership. We are typically more attuned to nonverbal cues, emotional undercurrents, and group dynamics, which allows us to create environments of psychological safety, a key driver of high performance teams. Instead of pushing back against dominant personalities in a head to head manner, I learned to redirect energy rather than resist it. This meant acknowledging the need for recognition that some individuals have, validating contributions without diminishing my own position, and using active listening, calibrated language, and strategic mirroring to diffuse tension while still leading the conversation.

What inspired you to create ‘Breaking Cinderella’, and how does it challenge traditional success narratives for women entrepreneurs?

Breaking Cinderella was born from my own journey, facing high stakes leadership, breaking through limiting beliefs. When things got hard, I caught myself thinking, I wish someone else would come handle all of this for me. That was the problem. No one was coming. When I took radical responsibility, that’s where I could see the greatest impact. Breaking Cinderella is not about external success. It is about  alignment, ownership, and rewriting the rules on your terms. Stop waiting to be chosen. Choose yourself.

Read: 42 women leaders share advice to power your success

What leadership strategies do you believe are essential for women aspiring to executive positions?

Leadership starts from within. Women aspiring to executive positions must first build conviction in their beliefs before stepping into external influence. If you do not fully own your vision, values, and decisions, no one else will.

The foundation of leadership is internal alignment — clarity on who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. When your beliefs are strong, your confidence follows, and that confidence becomes the force that shapes how others perceive you

Some people see manifestation as abstract or even wishful thinking. How do you integrate tangible business strategies with intuitive decision-making?

Manifestation isn’t about wishful thinking, it’s actually neuroscience and intentional focus. Your brain’s reticular activating system (RAS) filters what you notice based on your dominant thoughts which it translates as important. When you set clear intentions, you start recognising opportunities that align with them and what seems to be synchronicities.  That said, manifestation without action is just a dream. I integrate this by using intention-action mapping, getting clear on the goal (intuitive vision) and then strategically reverse-engineering the actions to achieve it.

You’ve worked with high-achieving executives. What are some early warning signs of burnout, and how do you coach leaders to prevent it?

Burnout is a mental game. It is not about working too hard, it is about the way you condition your mind. If you constantly push without resetting, your brain locks into survival mode and that is where the exhaustion kicks in.

Burnout happens when you lose control of your focus, stack stress without release, and let distractions drain your energy. The solution is to train your mind like a high performer. Command your state. Own your focus. Eliminate what weakens you. Recovery is not a luxury, it is a strategy.

High achievers do not just work hard, they train for endurance. If you want to play at the highest level, you need to master the cycle of intensity and recovery. That is how you sustain peak performance and dominate the game.

If you could give one piece of advice to young professionals looking to build a long-term leadership career, what would it be?

Success requires you to  master your internal state first. Before focusing on external strategies, learn to manage your state, rewrite your story, and then execute your strategy.

Most people do it backward. They chase tactics without addressing the mindset and energy driving their actions. But your state, your emotional and physiological condition, dictates how you show up.

This isn’t just theory; it’s science. Your body leads, your mind follows. When you step into a state of certainty, your brain reinforces the belief that you are capable, fueling a cycle of momentum. That’s why elite athletes, top negotiators, and high-stakes leaders all use physiology-first strategies to access peak performance on demand