“I’m an optimistic person. I’ve always been that way.”

I am Director Africa & Middle East at DERTOUR. In the tourism industry – which, by the way, has a very high proportion of women — I joined right after I finished my studies. My journey, which took me from the Caribbean through Northern Europe to the Indian Ocean, was never planned down to the last detail, but shaped by curiosity, which led to a desire for challenges and two specific events.

First, there was my nearly two-year work assignment in South Africa. There, I learned that there isn’t just one right way to reach a goal — and that my very direct approach doesn’t always lead to success in every cultural context. That experience permanently broadened my perspective on people, collaboration, and leadership. On the other hand, a life-changing health diagnosis about four years ago turned my life completely upside down. This experience changed me both personally and as a leader. Today I know that not everything can be planned. Since then, I’ve focused with as much composure as possible on the things I can influence.

Of course, not every door opened for me on its own. Sometimes I just had to take the plunge, be brave, and seize the opportunities that came my way — even when I didn’t feel ready yet. At the same time, I was fortunate to meet people who believed in me. One supervisor in particular, whom I worked with for many years, recognized my potential, supported me, and challenged me.

To me, inclusion means accepting people just as they are. My own personal journey has taught me that everyone faces their own challenges — even if they aren’t always visible. Today, I listen more carefully, take people’s needs more seriously, and am less quick to judge.

As a leader, I want to create an environment where people can be themselves, support one another, and contribute their diverse strengths. Because I’m convinced that when people feel seen and valued, trust is built — and that leads to motivated and strong teams.

My leadership style can best be described with one phrase: a positive mindset. I’m an optimistic person — I always have been. I try to convey this confidence to my team as well — especially when things get tough. The most recent major challenge was the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, when we organized repatriation flights for several thousand guests from various destinations in March within a very short time.

Of course, situations like these create enormous pressure. But it helps that I remain composed under that pressure. And I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not. Transparency is important to me. That’s why I openly share information with my team — even in crisis situations. And I talk about the mistakes I make. As a leader, you can’t simply demand a healthy culture of error — the kind we’re trying to establish in the company. You have to lead by example.

I saw firsthand that my leadership approach works when I was only able to work on a very limited basis for several months due to an illness. My team, together with my boss, took over responsibility and continued the work exceptionally well. For me, that was one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received. It showed me that the time and energy I had previously invested in leadership and teamwork had paid off.

Don’t wait until you feel 100 percent ready — that moment usually never comes. Trust in your strengths, take the next step, and grow through your challenges. Develop your own style and inspire other women. Especially in the tourism industry is an industry that has been affected by changes and encounters with different cultures. Be curious, open-minded, and discover new things as an opportunity.