Voices from the top: Raja Al Mazrouei, executive vice president, DIFC FinTech Hive

The year 2021 was transformational and an eye opener on the importance of disrupting oneself and recreating the unique contribution of oneself within the organisation and the industry. I believe 2021 was a great comeback, with results responding to the pandemic and how DIFC managed the business through these difficult times and showcased the resilience of the organisation, the commitment to clients and the industry and the agile response to the market.

Industry dynamics were shuffled which created opportunities for disruption and transformation, being agile and open to change enabled individuals and corporations to step out of their comfort zone, tap into new opportunities and experiment with new market dynamics.

2022 will build on the roots of opportunities created in 2021 as post pandemic, it will bring the world closer through technology, and families closer through hybrid work structures that evolved as a result of the pandemic.

As a [woman] leader, I look at the opportunity rather than the challenge, as opportunities are always results of challenges. Reaching the top is neither easy for men nor women – it requires clarity of purpose and focus on the ultimate objective, and staying true to oneself and the organisation throughout the journey. There will always be opportunities for growth and it’s important to stay aware and engaged to make the best out of these possibilities.

Hence, aspiring entrepreneurs should always identify their purpose in the journey and stay aligned to their purpose. They should remain focused on deliverables and contributions, understand their industry and their competition and always under promise and over deliver.

For female entrepreneurs, in particular, I would say trust your gut, reach out to your network for support and guidance, and remember there are no limits to success.