Manama: “The next time I read or hear utter nonsense about Emirati women unable to succeed or to assert themselves in male-dominated jobs, my riposte will be only two words,” Sarah Al Mansouri, a Bahraini businesswoman, said before marking a short pause to get the full attention of the other business people in the conversation.
“Reema Al Marzooqi. She is an undeniably successful woman who has been highly recognised in Bahrain and well beyond for her skills and aptitudes as the Emirates area manager in Manama.
“She represents the new breed of outstanding women from the UAE who do not feel suffocated by the fabulousness of their tasks, are passionate about their work and career and are remarkably determined to overcome all challenges and to contribute generously to the forward-looking vibrancy of their country.”
Thanks to the spiralling figures of her office, Reema has made a name for herself in Bahrain where she is regarded as among the successful managers and one of the most outstanding professional women.
Yet, it has not been a smooth flight for the Emirati woman who one day dared to dream that she could make into a world where very few Gulf women soared. “I have always been fascinated by planes and the world of aviation,” she said as she said behind the large mahogany desk in her modern office in the Seef District in the Bahraini capital Manama.
“I, like all young girls, was pushed by family traditions and social norms towards gender-based games. But I wanted something beyond those moulds and I was inexorably attracted by planes. I wanted to learn everything about them from the oldest ones to the ultra-modern ones. It is a whole world there and I wanted an active part in it, so I decided to take the challenge,” she said.
Reema studied business administration at the American University of Sharjah and she also did her Masters, in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at the University of Western Sydney.
Typical of her challenge-prone character, she also pursued additional courses in Human Psychology, Organisational Behaviors and International Human Resources as well as courses in intercultural communication, body language and psychology at the same university.
Recalling with obvious fondness the time in Australia, she said that her college years there were crucial in building her character.
“I think my education in Sydney was important because going to college abroad gives you invaluable insights into a wealth of different cultures and if you take one element from each of these cultures, you are a truly international person with a global outreach. As a woman, I learnt, the hard way at times, to be truly self-reliant, build my character, make decisions and assert myself as an Emirati woman in a cosmopolitan environment,” she said.
“One of the greatest merits of our leaders in the UAE is their profound belief in empowering people with advanced knowledge and sound education and providing them with opportunities to be at the forefront. There is no gender discrimination in their generous acts, so it is up to the young women to believe in themselves and use the assets to charter their way. To reach here, I had to be put to really through tests and I had to prove constantly that I deserved this chair. I am grateful to all those who believed in me and pushed me to the maximum. I will do my utmost to honour their trust,” she added.
When she joined Emirates, she started as a sales executive then she moved to the human resources department. As one of her tasks were advising and guiding outstation managers and staff members on company policies and procedures.
A few years later, she had gone through the Management Outstation Training scrutiny and was coached in numerous departments and different stations to acquire the necessary knowledge about them. The panel of senior Emirates employees assessed her every step, always ready with remarks in case she floundered.
“They were really strict, and made sure that no one could move on to the next stage if the standards they are entrusted with keeping are not met. Giving successful presentations and passing tests were the sacred rules for everyone. No exception, man or woman,” she said.
She was appointed commercial manager, where as a key member of planning, development and implementation team, she seized potential opportunities for enhancing revenue and yield by adopting “Best Sales Working Practices.”
After a successful training programme, in January 2011 she was appointed sales manager for Jordan and the West bank before she was given the responsibility of running the Bahrain station as its manager.
Through her meteorite rise to the leadership position, she made history, becoming at the time one of the few UAE women to be appointed station managers.
“It was a great moment of elation because we proved that UAE women could do it.
“My bosses are professionals who believed in a string merit system built around advanced human capabilities and competencies. I had to go through all the tough tests to prove that I deserved the position. There were no roses because I was a woman.
“In fact, I was never given any special treatment at any moment and I am honestly happy about this positive mindset in the company,” she said.
Her position in Manama meant that she had to oversee every single thing in the Bahrain station, including Sales, ticketing, finance and administration to the operational sides of Airport and Cargo.
Whatever the task was, she had to inspire the employees while commanding their respect and their commitment to the company ideals, mission and objectives.
With 21 flights a week out of Bahrain, and amid incredibly high competition, managing the office is not easy at all.
“I have made it a point never to complain and to always look forward to a vibrant future. I have developed a positive state of mind that allows me to pilot my way through the challenges and difficulties, just like I nurtured my methods to promote a team spirit within our small community and with our clients,” she said. “I have benefited a lot from the training I received and the policies of the company,” she said.
“Loving what you do is the secret key to happiness and success, I advise every woman, either an Emirati national or not, to find the thing she loves and to go after it. She should never give up no matter what the difficulties and obstacles are, stand strong and believe in herself because then, she will definitely reach where her dreams take her,” she said.
For Reema, women can be strong, building on their inner capabilities. “We have many successful women who are great examples in UAE. I am really proud of all those who work hard and reach the highest positions, and yet create time to take care of their families and their kids perfectly,” she said.
“In my case, and after a long day at work facing all the challenges and working hard and closely with my amazing team in Bahrain station to represent the company we love the way it deserves, I come home to take care of my beautiful family which gives me the strength to go back to office the next day, more positive and more determined about the job I love.”
