In our first segment of HR in Hospitality, HR Maldives spoke to Rizan Ali Afeef, Director of Human Resources & Training at Six Senses Laamu. Rizan talked about his journey, the challenges to HR and his accomplishments and some of the proud moments of his HR Career in hospitality industry. Rizan started his HR Career over a decade ago. During the period his accomplishments are impressive and inspirational.
How did you start your career in the Hospitality Industry?
I started my career at the Four Seasons Resort – Kuda Huraa. After having completed my high school in Sri Lanka and living there for over 20+ years, trying my hand at a working career in Sri Lanka. Following the passing of my father, Ali Afeef, one of the first Sri Lankan businessmen to run an import / export business in the Maldives, I was compelled to make a move back to Maldives after discussion with my uncles from my maternal side. It was with their guidance and unending support that I was blessed enough to begin a career as an HR officer in the Maldives. The rest is history as they say.
Who is your role model as a leader?
My role model without doubt must be my late mum, Aminath Abdullah. Her strength in keeping our family close knit, through times of financial misfortune and personal turmoil, and tireless effort in her role in the culinary department at Holiday Island resort is undoubtedly the reason she is my role model and why I was able to face the challenges of a new industry and culture at the resort. My mother’s strength and love are what kept all of us siblings going in our own careers and held us in good stead.
In my professional career, I have looked up at many of my past HR directors whose names I won’t mention, as I tend to admire and try to emulate all positive attitudes and skill sets they all possessed by their diverse cultures and experience, but I would say in my personal life, my mum’s leadership through troubled waters is what I undoubtedly admire wholeheartedly.
What do you consider your biggest challenge?
As an HR professional, obviously trying to make all my fellow colleagues have the best possible experience while working together as a team. It is difficult to say the least if not impossible to do ALL THINGS TO ALL people.
What do you consider your biggest achievement?
The relationships I have built and people who have helped mould me into the professional I am are the reasons I do what I do. And building positive relationships is I would say my biggest achievement. That and been a father to my lovely son Lucas Afeef.
How would you describe your leadership?
Undoubtedly, a transformational leader, I believe strongly in leading by example and through an inclusive approach to managing people.
Can you give us 3 key words to describe yourself?
Emotionally resilient, optimistic and driven.
How would your staff describe you?
My colleagues would say that I am very optimistic, as I see setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. There is always a creative solution to a problem, and love searching for it together with my team.
What are some key HR Challenges in your organization?
From both a business and marketing standpoint, our gorgeous property does reflect an exclusive status in the eyes of our guests and this is obviously due to the unique positioning of our brand, property and remoteness of the location. However, on the other hand, due to the unique geographic location of our property, it does makes it a bit hard for our employees to partake in various inter resort sports competitions and events. Attracting potential local talents from other atolls too is a challenge and this is mainly due to logistical difficulties. On a positive note though, these challenges have only driven HR to think out of the box.
What are your thoughts on HR in Hospitality industry of Maldives?
We as an island paradise have been blessed with sun, sand and luxury. The described elements attract high end tourists and our wonderful resort paradises can afford to recruit the best talent the world has to offer. I believe working with talented individuals from the world over stands us in good stead, and us locals having lived and worked with this diversity for decades, combined with our positive attitude towards life and our positive work ethic in making tourists feel at home in our personal paradise, makes me have nothing but feelings of utopia for the HR industry in the Maldives.
What are some key HR trends you have witnessed over the last few years in Hospitality Industry.
The race towards digitalizing HR is on top of the list. Technology & social media has been advancing at a phenomenal pace, hence the need to keep up with the race to support the transformation to a digitalized world quickly. Millennials and Gen Y employees are on the look for organizations that support personalized HR service via technology (e.g., using apps via smartphones). Another aspect reflected from the behaviour of many millennial employees is their motivation towards autonomy, innovative & talented leaders could leverage this towards the success of the organization.
Your definition of success?
Living a meaningful life, free of stress and making a positive impact on people whose lives we become part of through the wonderful journey of life. Even if it be a momentary or temporal interaction at work, the ability to impact a person positively and leave nothing but fond & meaningful memories in their minds is my definition of success.