Balancing family and career: Fara Hamid's journey in hospitality marketing

Fara Hamid, the Marketing Manager at Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga, shares her journey balancing family and career in hospitality marketing. She emphasizes that the challenges behind the scenes play a significant role in shaping her career, alongside the glamorous campaigns and events seen by the public.

Stepping into her role at the hotel was a pivotal moment that pushed her to trust her instincts, make tough decisions, and take ownership of her work. Seeing her ideas materialize into successful campaigns, expanding an online community, and crafting memorable experiences has been a rewarding aspect of her career. These experiences have taught her the value of resilience, resourcefulness, and consistency, and have helped her build a reputation for following through on commitments and delivering results.

Effective leadership, according to Hamid, is judged by the feelings of those working with her. She aims to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and confident in sharing their ideas, even if they diverge from her own. Recognizing and crediting others' efforts, as well as providing opportunities for growth, are also crucial elements of her leadership style.

Balancing family and a demanding senior marketing role is not always easy, but Hamid acknowledges the support she receives from her husband and family. She notes that work demands sometimes take precedence, while other times family commitments come first. Despite the challenges, motherhood has not diminished her ambition; instead, it has made her more intentional about how she allocates her time and sets boundaries.

Hamid encourages women considering leadership roles to take the initiative and apply for positions, even if they don't feel fully confident. She advises women to speak openly about their achievements and not to diminish their value by apologizing for taking up space. Building skills, fostering genuine professional relationships, remaining open to learning, and not rejecting oneself before others have a chance to consider them are essential steps on the path to leadership, according to Hamid.