Meet Dubai member Miret Padovani

What’s your golden rule?

What one does today will determine how tomorrow will be. To be successful in life, one needs to make today count - and that, every single day.

Who has been your biggest influence?

My PhD advisor back in Switzerland. He taught me - at the very start of my career - to be myself and focus on my strengths, rather than try and imitate others because of their fancy job titles.  

What is your most hated business expression? 

To "think outside the box." My instinctive reaction when I hear this expression is: let's forget the box for a moment and just think.

How can marketers be braver?

By genuinely believing in their and their teams' capabilities more. I believe the reason why many people - not only marketers - don't take risks at work is they underestimate what they're capable of and how powerful their ideas can be.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

In January 2015, I moved from Switzerland to Tajikistan and from science communications into hotel marketing. I knew it was a dual risk: I was moving into an industry in which I had very few connections and to a country where I knew absolutely no one. Yet, I felt it was a unique opportunity for me to grow both personally and professionally... I was stepping out of my comfort zone and was tremendously excited about the new challenge. Turned out to be a year with some of my best memories so far!

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Steve Jobs. He literally revolutionized the way we live with some of history's most genius inventions. And by doing what he loved, he led his organization to become among the most powerful ever. My iPhone screen saver reads my favorite Steve Jobs quote: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today?'

What’s your favourite word?

Serendipity. It makes me smile every time I read or hear it. Don't we all just love it when good things happen when we least expect them to?

Tell us a secret?

I hate cooking. Last time I got anywhere near an oven was probably 15 years ago.

Connect with Miret on Linked In