Name: Nazish Khan

Title: Founder & CEO

Organisation: NHK Consultants

My name is Nazish Khan (Founder & CEO) of NHK Consultants founded in 2014. My organization is a gateway towards excellence, empowerment and success. It is currently serving its valuable clients with Mindset Coaching, Corporate Trainings, HR Consultancy and Reiki Healing.

Recently in October 2023, I have completed my certification in Reiki Practitioner for all levels 1 - 2 & 3 and now practicing as full time Reiki Practitioner alongside with my other qualifications.

In 2021 , I successfully completed my triple certification as Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Timeline Therapy ® techniques and Coaching, from the American Board of Neuro Linguistic Programming (ABNLP), that authorized me to conduct mindset coaching for individuals striving for empowerment in their lives.

Back in 2008, I successfully got my Masters degree of MBA (Master's In Business Administration) specialized in Human Resources from one of the renowned institutes in Pakistan, Karachi IOBM (Institute of Business Management).

As an HR professional, Mindset Coach and Reiki Practitioner, I bring a unique blend of expertise and experience to support individuals in achieving their personal and professional goals.

With over 18 years of experience in HR, I have in depth understanding of organizational dynamics and the challenges that professionals face in the workplace. I have

worked with individuals at all levels of the organization from entry-level employees to executives, to support them in achieving their career aspirations.

I am passionate in a diligent pursuit of excellence and provide eminence deliverables to her clients. Being consultant, I possess the ability to fulfill the requisite of the clients in a timely and effective manner.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Nazish's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

As a leader I often had to grapple with multifaceted challenges, including effective communication to foster understanding and unity within the teams.

Leadership is a demanding role that required various competencies in order to navigate transitions that keep the teams adaptable and that is why decision-making and delegation becomes a constant demand, necessitating timely and well-informed choices amid complexities to balance empowerment with overall accountability. Being a leader, one needs to be adaptive to unforeseen circumstances, time management, and strategic thinking to paramount for sustained success.

Building relationships and motivating teams are ongoing challenges that demand emotional intelligence and resilience.

The last and most challenging role being a leader is to develop your successor and the real talent through training and mentorship to the intricate landscape of leadership.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Since our childhood, we heard that one should be a leader whereas on the other hand some school of thoughts enact that leaders are born. With my 18 years of experience working with different multinationals, I am of the opinion that leaders are born with the ability which is inferred as we grow in our life and career.

To become a leader, one needs to focus on personal development by setting clear goals, continuously learning, and building self-confidence. Enhance communication skills, practicing clarity and active listening. Embrace responsibility, demonstrating initiative and a strong work ethic. I strongly believe in developing emotional intelligence to understand and manage both your own and others' emotions. True leaders lead by example, embodies qualities of professionalism, integrity, and dedication. Cultivate decision-making skills through informed choices and accountability. Seek opportunities for mentorship and networking to gain valuable insights and experiences. Adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to ongoing growth are essential on the path to leadership.

My leadership journey started in 2005, when I started my first ever job as an HR Coordinator a very junior level in my department, with one of the leading groups in Pakistan but my dreams were always big and goals were always SMART. I started cherishing my leadership exactly one year ago, when I embarked on a journey that would redefine not just my career but the very essence of who I am. Leaving the structured world of Human Resources behind, I set out on a quest to become a Mindset Coach Leader—a journey that has unfolded with surprises, challenges, and an abundance of personal and professional growth.

The decision to transition from HR to mindset coaching was a bold leap into the unknown. Stepping away from the familiar terrain of policies and procedures, I embraced a realm where the heart and mind intertwine to unlock untapped potential. It was a choice fueled by the desire to make a profound impact on lives, one mindset at a time.

The transition was not without its share of uncertainties. As I shifted from being a facilitator of HR processes to a guide for transformative mindsets, I had to learn to navigate a new landscape. It meant shedding the old skin of expectations and embracing the vulnerability that comes with charting unexplored territories.

In the heart of this journey, I discovered the incredible power of mindset transformation. I wasn't just leading others; I was becoming a beacon of change myself. The joy of witnessing individuals transform their thinking patterns and embrace their full potential became the fuel that propelled me forward.

As a Mindset Coach Leader, I found myself not just helping individuals but also crafting a vision for a community of growth and empowerment. It became about fostering an environment where everyone could thrive, where the collective mindset could elevate the entire team to new heights of success.

Passion became my compass. Every coaching session, workshop, and interaction was infused with the fervor of belief in the transformative power of a positive mindset. It wasn't just a job; it was a calling, and with each passing day, my commitment to this path deepened.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I wake up at 5:00am every day.

This is the time when I connect with my creator and offer my prayers; this time I give myself 20 minutes to align my body-mind-heart-soul to install the plan that needs to be executed during the day.

So here it goes - Begin the day with a consistent wake-up time, allowing for adequate sleep. Start with a morning routine for personal well-being, such as prayers, exercise or meditation. Prioritize tasks by importance and urgency, tackling the most critical projects during peak focus hours. Schedule breaks for rejuvenation and maintain a healthy balance between work and leisure. Organize meetings and collaborative tasks in the mid-morning or early afternoon. Aim to conclude major tasks by the early evening, allowing time for reflection and planning the next day. Wind down with a relaxation routine before a set bedtime, ensuring sufficient rest for the next day's productivity and well-being.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

I am currently working as Founder & CEO of my startup business NHK Consultants which was initially founded in 2014 but then due to some personal commitments I could not continue it. But with the passage of time I realized that shattering my dreams and passion aside will not give me success and will always keep me away from becoming the person I want to be and I will always be regretting for not taking the step, so last year Nov 2022 I decided to leave my full time job as a successful HR professional to pursue my passion and dreams and start my journey a Mindset Coach. I have learned that fear is our biggest enemy and no one can help us overcome it if we are not ready to challenge ourselves.

This act of mine reminded of the power of vulnerability in leadership. While leaders are often seen as pillars of strength, acknowledging vulnerabilities and expressing authenticity fosters trust and connection within a team. Embracing imperfections encourages a culture of openness, enabling more effective problem-solving and collaboration. This lesson highlights that true leadership involves acknowledging one's humanity, admitting mistakes, and learning from them. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in leadership, creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their concerns and ideas. Ultimately, the strength of a leader lies not just in authority but in genuine human connection and humility.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

"Attitude Is Everything" by Keith Harrell underscores the transformative power of a positive attitude, and its impact on leadership is substantial. The book emphasizes the correlation between attitude, success, and effective leadership. Leaders who internalize the principles from this book often cultivate a positive mindset, fostering resilience and optimism within their teams. Harrell's insights encouraged me as a leader to approach challenges with enthusiasm, embrace change, and inspire those around me. By maintaining a positive attitude, I am able to navigate difficulties with grace, motivate others, and create a more conducive and productive work environment. "Attitude Is Everything" serves as a motivational guide for me as a leader seeking to influence through positivity.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Based on my experience and lifelong learnings I would advise young leaders to embrace continuous learning and resilience.

As a young leader, it is imperative to never underestimate the power of ongoing education, both formally and informally. They must seek mentors, absorb diverse perspectives, and learn from both successes and failures. Cultivate resilience, understanding that setbacks are stepping stones to growth. Adaptability and a positive mindset are the greatest assets to truly show up as successful leader. One must embrace challenges with enthusiasm, and lead with authenticity.

I believe that that true leadership involves not just directing others but inspiring and empowering them. Stay humble, stay curious, and never stop evolving. Remember, in the dynamic landscape of leadership, your ability to learn and bounce back will define your success.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

I have worked with five internationally recognized companies, all having different culture and working environment. While working these organizations I came across many inspiring and meaningful stories that my changes my life and taught me new perspective of looking at things in a different way.

Here I would like to talk about my last assignment which was almost 8 years ago from now back in 2016, where I joined a leading hospital known for its outstanding patient care services and extra ordinary competent staff of doctors, physicians and nurses.

On the day when I joined the hospital I was given amidst a project deadline by having only three members in the team. Being new to the organization and culture, I was like any other person was juggling between relationship building and completing the project that was assigned to me. As a leader I noticed that my team members are struggling silently and instead of pressing for progress, I preferred to took time to understand their challenges. After having numerous lunches, coffee and hangouts, the team member were quite comfortable with me and start revealing personal and professional hardships affecting their work performance.

Being their leader, I decided on prioritizing empathy over tasks, offered support, adjusted deadlines, and provided resources. This gesture not only relieved immediate stress but also strengthened the team's trust on me. The project was successful, but the lasting impact was a culture of compassion and openness. This was the time when I made my leadership management working with me realized that sometimes the most meaningful leadership moments arise not from tasks achieved, but from individuals genuinely cared for.