Noor Farilla Abdullah talks about who she is today, the importance of finding your purpose, and the value of empowerment.
Chapter: Retaining female talent
About: Noor Farilla Abdullah has been Bank Islam’s chief strategy officer since January 2019. A Malaysian bank that primarily assisted the financial needs of the country’s Muslim population, Bank Islam has extended its services to the broader population and is Malaysia’s first full-fledged publicly listed Islamic bank.
Tell us about your journey as a female leader in the banking industry. What is your overall impression of working in a male-dominated industry?
Fortunately, my journey has not been too rough. Since the start of my career, I have not been differentiated from my male colleagues. In my workplace, our performance is assessed based on our merit and what we bring to the table, not by our gender or our social status. But overall, the competition in the workplace is still fierce. To overcome the challenges, I have gotten a lot of support from my mentors throughout my career.
What is your view on the importance of role models and mentorship?
It has been quite challenging working alongside my male counterparts. I believe diversity is an important part of the workplace; it is very important to have someone by your side who can support you. As a woman, I never questioned my abilities or saw the barriers as glass ceilings because I have had strong role models to look up to in women who constantly challenge the norm.
“In order to succeed, I surround myself with strong and diverse female role models.”
In your opinion, what are the characteristics of the ideal role model?
A good role model spares no effort in learning, persevering, and being confident, and it shows in their day-to-day perspective and how they conduct their work. A good role model also needs to be objective: they should be able to create a safe space for others to confide in them regardless of the person’s gender or position. They should also be able to see the facts and the message as they are without stereotyping.
“The boldest trait of an exceptional role model is that they nurture other women. They put in the effort to empathize and understand where a person is in their life.”
In turn, I believe it is now my job to mentor and help others grow professionally. Core to that feeling is advocating professional development that promotes gender diversity.
“It is important to have male and female mentors in your search to find your voice and your path. Mentors empower us to take risks and grow our capacity in a safe and encouraging environment"
What does an organization need to provide to nurture female talent and leaders?
The first is flexibility. Women have different needs during each phase of their lives. To be an equitable and inclusive organization, the workplace should also provide facilities to support these needs.
Organizations should also not measure contributions based on the hours spent at work. It should be more about what you bring: the effort and the quality of your outcomes, your values, your fresh perspective, and your drive. Companies can nurture their female talent and leaders by offering flexibility and performance-based assessments.
In the professional world, each stage of a career brings different challenges. What do women need in order to be more courageous throughout their careers?
One of the most important things is to set appropriate boundaries. It’s essential to understand what works for you. Find something that brings you peace and positivity, and look for the silver linings. I pray that those in that spot right now find the peace and the support that I did. Young people might not find their voice as easily. Take back your power when your values don’t align with the people you work with or when it’s very difficult to manage people. If you’re in an organization that is not aligned with your values or if your superiors have different values than you do, there won’t be any stability between you and the organization. Convince yourself that you have worth, and know that you will be more stable in a more conducive working environment.
As an inspiring and successful female business leader, what advice would you give young women to help them thrive and grow in their careers?
First, continuous learning is important. I believe each person should be a lifelong student; if we stop learning, we’re dead. My advice to young talent is to strive to understand your purpose in life, and know that your purpose can change. It’s not just about the end goal or the position you want to end up in. That comes with time, but ambition is only sustainable if you have a purpose. Find the right opportunity to lean into; it’s what will bring you farther in life. I would also push young talent to have courage and speak up for what they think is right. I have seen many women underestimate their abilities. When the opportunity arises, they step back to reassess and think they have over-presented themselves.
“We as women need to have more courage to ask for what we want and not moderate ourselves.”
It’s also important to be flexible and prioritize your work–life balance. When you feel the need to spend more time with your family or if you have some personal circumstances that your organization won’t cater to, don’t give up. It might not be the time to take yourself out of the job market, but it could be time to search for another company that can meet your needs.
Lastly, find your strengths. Everyone has a superpower, and you can always find it. It might require reflection, and it will definitely come with experience. For example, being calm during a crisis is a superpower.
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