Meet an extraordinary and enthusiastic leader, Hanane Benkhallouk, the Founder of Tawazoun and the Executive Director of Sustain Leadership Consultancy. She has a multifaceted personality wearing many hats as an entrepreneur, author, strategist, advisor, speaker, and more. Her journey stands as a beacon for young and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to mark their presence. Hanane is an ambitious woman who fought many odds and made their professional journey worthwhile.
The Breakthrough Journey
Hanane’s professional journey is a tale of crossing boundaries and bridging cultures. It began in Casablanca, her native city, where the seeds of her ambition and global outlook were planted. The move from Casablanca to the bustling business capital of New York City marked a significant leap in her career. Immersing herself in the complexities of corporate America was a formative experience that honed her capabilities and set the stage for a global perspective that would come to define her professional ethos.
This transatlantic move was more than a change in geography; it was a transformative shift in mindset and practice. The lessons learned in New York’s competitive environment equipped her with a robust skill set and the agility needed to navigate and influence the diverse business landscape of Dubai, where she later relocated in 2005.
In Dubai, her roles, particularly those at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, (a Dubai government entity), were instrumental in shaping her approach to leadership and innovation. This experience solidified her commitment to transformative business practices that not only drive economic growth but also create social impact.
As the executive director at Sustain Leadership Consultancy, she has leveraged this unique blend of experiences to champion human-centric business models and cultures of innovation. Her consultancy work, spanning collaborations with esteemed firms like KPMG and PWC, is rooted in a philosophy that leadership and cultural transformation are the backbones of any thriving organization.
The birth of Tawazoun, (the word for Balance in Arabic) as the Middle East’s first think-do tank dedicated to fostering balanced ecosystems, was a natural progression of her journey, embodying the ethos of equilibrium that she has always strived to create in both her personal and professional life. The international accolades she has received are not merely personal triumphs but affirmations of the values she upholds.
As a global conference speaker and author of ‘SEEDS of Change,’ she has taken her insights to the world stage, advocating for leadership that is resilient, empathic, and inclusive. Her commitment to ethical practices and diversity and inclusion is unwavering, as she believes they are the cornerstones of not only a successful business but also a harmonious society.
Streamlining the Role and its Responsibilities
At the helm of Sustain Leadership, Hanane’s responsibilities are multifaceted and revolve around guiding the strategic direction of the company. She oversees the development of innovative leadership programs and initiatives that foster sustainable business practices and nurture growth within organizations. She works closely with a talented team to ensure that its consultancy services align with the evolving needs of its clients, focusing on creating value through human-centric approaches.
She is actively involved in providing executive coaching, where she mentors business leaders and helps them cultivate the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in today’s challenging environment. A significant part of her role involves thought leadership, where she contributes to public discourse on topics such as diversity, inclusion, and balanced leadership through speaking engagements and publications.
Throughout her professional journey, she has spearheaded several accomplishments that she holds close to her heart. These include Contributing to Regional Development, Award-Winning Leadership, Best-selling authorship, Founding Tawazoun, Influencing Policy and Practice, and Global Speaking and Influencing.
About Sustain Leadership Consultancy
Sustain Leadership Consultancy was born from a desire to address and rectify the challenges I encountered in the corporate world. Having observed a gap in how organizations approach leadership and culture, Hanane set out to create a consultancy that would not just advise but transform the very fabric of workplace dynamics.
At the core of Sustain Leadership’s ethos is the belief that the workplace should be a space of equilibrium where innovation flourishes, leadership is empathic, and strategies are forward-thinking. This vision was shaped by her aspirations for a perfect organization, alongside the transformative principles she championed at Tawazoun, which emphasize holistic balance rather than the traditional work-life dichotomy.
The innovative service offerings include:
• Culture Transformation Programs: Tailored initiatives designed to shift the organizational culture towards a more human-centric model that values employee well-being as a driver for productivity and innovation.
• Leadership Development: Sustain Leadership Consultancy offers bespoke leadership training and coaching that instills the values of empathy, ethics, and strategic vision, preparing leaders to foster inclusive and dynamic workplace environments.
• Strategic Advisory Services: Sustain Leadership Consultancy provides strategic planning and advisory services to help organizations navigate change and embed sustainable practices into their core operations.
• Innovation Workshops: Sustain Leadership Consultancy conducts workshops that challenge conventional thinking and spur creativity, equipping teams with the tools to become catalysts for change within their organizations.
• Balance and Well-being Think-Tank: Tawazoun’s think-do tank, serves as a research and development platform for creating policies and practices that promote balance and well-being in the workplace.
Sustain Leadership’s approach is characteristically innovative, not only in the services it offers but also in how it delivers them. The company integrates the latest research with practical insights to create bespoke solutions that are as unique as the organizations it serves. Its commitment to transformation, both at the individual and organizational levels, is what sets it apart as a trailblazer in the field of culture change consultancy.
Sowing the Seeds
Hanane’s leadership philosophy is a reflection of the principles laid out in her book, “Seeds of Change,” encapsulated in the SEEDS model:
• Sense: Cultivating awareness and understanding, leading with empathy to create a supportive environment.
• Engage: Actively involving team members, fostering a collaborative space where everyone’s input is valued.
• Empower: Giving people the tools and confidence to excel, driving innovation and personal growth.
• Develop: Commit to continuous learning and development, both for the team and myself as a leader.
• Sustain: Ensuring that actions lead to lasting positive impacts on individuals and the organization.
This model was born from her desire to redefine leadership within management, inspired by the need for a holistic approach that balances achievement with well-being. It’s about nurturing the seeds of potential in people and watching them grow into agents of change within the business.
Overcoming a Landscape of Challenges
To reach the current position with Sustain Leadership, several obstacles were navigated, among the key challenges faced on the path to establishing Sustain Leadership was the task of championing a human-centric model in a business landscape predominantly focused on profit maximization.
Addressing and successfully overcoming challenges like cultural residence, market situation, financial constraints, building trust, convincing on human centricity, and personal growth entailed a strategic blend of evidence-based advocacy and real-world success stories, illustrating that a focus on human elements can lead to a more sustainable and profitable business model.
Embracing Comprehensive Team Culture
Understanding the importance of nurturing a supportive and high-performing team, especially within a lean business framework, Hanane has a unique approach to taking care of her employees and setting her team apart.
The team’s uniqueness lies in this blend of regular personal engagement, a culture of trust and empowerment, collective accountability, strong teamwork, and leadership that consistently reflects core values. This approach not only drives the team’s performance but also cements Hanane’s reputation as a leader in human-centric business practices.
Hanane’s Pearls of Wisdom
“My career is a testament to the power of transcultural experiences and the belief that wherever you start your journey, be it Casablanca or anywhere else, there are no limits to where your vision can take you.”
As a seasoned business coach with a wealth of experience guiding entrepreneurs across diverse cultures and markets, Hanane’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be multi-faceted:
Be Problem Solvers: Always start with a clear problem that needs solving. A successful business addresses a specific pain point or meets a need that is not currently being met effectively.
Embrace the I3 Model:
• Immerse yourself in your chosen industry and the problem you’re solving. Understand the nuances and perspectives of all stakeholders involved.
• Innovate by thinking outside the box. Look for solutions that are not just novel but also viable and scalable.
• Impact should be the measure of success. Focus on creating tangible value for your customers and society at large.
Live the 3 Ps:
• Passion is the fuel that keeps you moving forward. It will sustain you through challenges and inspire your team and customers.
• Proactivity means taking the initiative to make things happen, rather than waiting for opportunities to come to you.
• Persistence is critical. Be prepared to face setbacks and be willing to persevere when things get tough.
Growth and SEEDS: As your venture grows, employ the SEEDS model to maintain relevance and sustain leadership:
• Sense: Stay attuned to changes in the market and within your organization.
• Engage: Keep your team and stakeholders engaged with clear communication and by building strong relationships.
• Empower: Foster a culture where your team feels empowered to take initiative and lead in their areas of expertise.
• Develop: Invest in continuous development for yourself and your team to adapt to the evolving business landscape.
• Sustain: Strive for sustainable practices in all aspects of your business to ensure long-term success.
Remember, entrepreneurship is as much a journey of personal growth as it is of business development. Stay adaptable, learn from every experience, and maintain your focus on creating value. With problem-solving at your core and the I3 and 3 Ps guiding your approach, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the entrepreneurial path and lead with the resilience and vision embodied by the SEEDS framework.
A Bright and Mighty Future
As an advisor and consultant, in addition to my speaking engagements and thought leadership activities, Hanane champions the ‘Humanizing Business’ ethos, a personal slogan that aligns with her initials, HB. This approach is at the heart of her company ethos of ‘Sustain Leadership,’ which is committed to driving a positive impact on both business and society.
At Tawazoun, the company is dedicated to integrating the values of well-being, human-centricity, and sustainability into the fabric of corporate culture, guided by its four foundational pillars: people, workplaces, society, and the planet. Hanane’s role involves advising and consulting with organizations to inspire and enable future leaders and entrepreneurs to build their businesses on these pillars, ensuring that their operations are not only profitable but also ethically and environmentally sound.
Through her diverse professional capacities, she strives to facilitate meaningful conversations, create impactful written works, and provide strategic advice that collectively advance its vision. Tawazoun is on a mission to become a leading example of how businesses can achieve success while maintaining a harmonious balance with their employees, society, and the environment. Looking ahead, the company is focused on reinforcing Tawazoun as a beacon of sustainable and human-centric business practices, exemplifying its commitment to fostering a world where economic growth and social responsibility coexist.
