Behind the Bob - the one with Shameema Ali

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:03

Welcome to Behind the Bob Diary, of a Comms

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:06

Director with me, Carrie-Ann Wade.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:08

This podcast is all about developing communications leaders of the

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:11

future and supporting you to grow and thrive in your comms career.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:15

You'll hear from me about my experiences and insights, and there might even

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:19

be a special guest or two popping up.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:21

So I hope you enjoy.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:25

Hello everybody and welcome to this episode of Behind the Bob.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:30

I'm sure you will be as pleased as me to hear that it's one of those

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:33

episodes where we have a special guest.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:34

They're definitely my favorite when I get to have a conversation with

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:38

some amazing communicators and In this episode, I'm speaking to the

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:42

fabulous Shameema who I met maybe a year or so ago, perhaps a bit longer.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:48

Shameema's nodding her head, so that sounds about right.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:51

Through the Thrive Programme and I've been so impressed by your work,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:55

Shameema, in the comm space that I wanted to invite you onto the podcast.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:00:59

So thank you so much for joining.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:00

Did you want to say hello and introduce yourself, Shameema

Shameema Ali: 00:01:04

thank you so much for having me and for the kind words.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:07

Hello everybody.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:07

My name is Shameema.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:08

I'm a senior comms and engagement manager at Chelsea

Shameema Ali: 00:01:12

Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:14

Like Carrie-Ann said, I met her about a year ago and she's

Shameema Ali: 00:01:17

changed my life for the better.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:18

So that was just a nice, polite nod to Carrie-Ann

Shameema Ali: 00:01:23

so yeah, so I've been working at Chelsea for the last year

Shameema Ali: 00:01:25

and a half, almost two years.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:27

And before that, I worked at a mental health trust as a communications officer.

Shameema Ali: 00:01:31

And prior to working in the NHS, I did a little bit of work in

Shameema Ali: 00:01:34

the private sector, in both legal editorial and B2B publishing.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:39

Firstly, thank you so much for the kind words.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:42

I feel like I might cry a little bit.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:43

Thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:44

That's very kind.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:45

And thank you for sharing a little bit about your background and

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:48

what you're doing at the moment.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:49

As you will know, if you've listened to any of These other episodes of the

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:53

podcast, we like to find out a little bit about people's careers and you've

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:01:57

given us a taster about what you've what you've done in your career so far.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:01

But would you like to tell us a little bit more about your career as

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:04

a communications professional to date?

Shameema Ali: 00:02:08

So I actually, I came into communications in around

Shameema Ali: 00:02:12

2019, and it was baptism by fire.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:16

I joined, I think, about two months before COVID hit.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:19

So I was working in NHS comms.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:22

It was all very lovely, sunshine and rainbows before COVID.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:25

And then COVID hit, and I was thrown into the deep end.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:28

And honestly, I've not looked back.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:30

I worked in mental health for two years, helping support

Shameema Ali: 00:02:33

with the COVID vaccine rollout.

Shameema Ali: 00:02:35

Then I moved over to Chelsea and I've been helping support on various

Shameema Ali: 00:02:39

comms, both internal and external, and I've loved every single second of it.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:44

Aw, it's so good to know that you've loved it so far,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:48

despite it being at probably one of the most challenging times the

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:50

NHS has faced ever in its history.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:53

So that absolutely was a baptism of fire for you, I'm sure.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:02:57

I'm intrigued to know, because you mentioned other areas that you've worked

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:03:00

in prior to the NHS, and you've talked a little bit about the various things that

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:03:05

you've done to date in your NHS comms career, but what was it that attracted you

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:03:11

to work in public sector communications?

Shameema Ali: 00:03:14

Yeah, so as cliche as it sounds before I worked in the NHS

Shameema Ali: 00:03:18

I did have really interesting jobs.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:19

They were, they were good jobs.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:21

I was good at it.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:22

I was earning a decent salary, but I never felt like I was gaining

Shameema Ali: 00:03:26

any sort of fulfillment from it.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:27

And for me, fulfillment leads to joy.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:30

I've always wanted to do something that has bigger ramifications,

Shameema Ali: 00:03:33

something that has lasting impact.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:35

I'm very much a people person and I find real joy in working with

Shameema Ali: 00:03:39

people from all walks of life.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:41

The public sector offered me just that.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:43

I'm fortunate enough to work with colleagues from all over the world and

Shameema Ali: 00:03:46

I get to support them and the public in a role that I'm truly passionate about.

Shameema Ali: 00:03:50

So that's probably what's drawn me into this sort of.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:03:54

I love that, and it seems evident from both what I know of

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:03:57

you prior to you coming on this podcast, but also from the conversations I've

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:01

had with other communicators that desire to have an impact and do good and make

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:06

positives, help people to make positive change feels like something that is a big

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:10

attraction to people working in the NHS.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:13

So it's interesting that you say that in terms of your innate.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:16

NHS role.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:17

I'm intrigued to know whether for you, you feel like there's been

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:20

anything that's been a barrier to your career to date in communications or

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:04:25

more broadly in the public sector?

Shameema Ali: 00:04:26

So before I joined public sector comms, I had very little knowledge

Shameema Ali: 00:04:30

about it and the lack of diversity and lack of diversity within it.

Shameema Ali: 00:04:36

So I think that was a bit of a blessing in disguise for me.

Shameema Ali: 00:04:39

Personally, I have a bit of a tendency to get into my own head with things,

Shameema Ali: 00:04:43

and I can often be quite negative about my own skills and my own abilities.

Shameema Ali: 00:04:47

And I think if I knew how little diversity was in public sector comms

Shameema Ali: 00:04:51

before I joined, it would really made me question if I belong or if this

Shameema Ali: 00:04:56

was a suitable career path for me.

Shameema Ali: 00:04:58

I've been really fortunate enough to be surrounded by really great

Shameema Ali: 00:05:01

encouraging comms leaders throughout my career who really guided me and

Shameema Ali: 00:05:05

have sourced To get the best out of me.

Shameema Ali: 00:05:07

So I'm sure this isn't the answer that you were hoping for, but apart from

Shameema Ali: 00:05:10

my own self doubt, I think I've been really fortunate enough to not come

Shameema Ali: 00:05:13

across many barriers in my career so

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:17

no, do you know what?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:18

It's funny, isn't it?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:19

That we assume that there might be certain ways that people

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:22

will answer that question.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:23

But it's absolutely lovely to hear that you've had supportive leadership

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:27

and you've been nurtured and supported to develop in your role.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:30

And I think that's a real positive to take away from that conversation.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:34

But it's also interesting to me that you mentioned self doubt because it's

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:37

something, again, that many of the communicators, either that I work

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:41

with or that have been on the podcast so far, have all said in written.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:45

Sponsoring one way or another to that question, I think a couple of people

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:48

I've interviewed have said, labeled it imposter syndrome, and I know people

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:52

have views about what imposter syndrome is, but it feels like that's to do with

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:56

that kind of confidence and self-belief.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:05:58

So it, it's interesting that for you, that feels like something that,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:01

that could be a potential barrier, but that you haven't let be one yet.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:05

Yeah that's quite intriguing to hear and I wonder if it's Related to, to the type

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:10

of people we attract in our profession that we perhaps seem to doubt our own

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:14

selves sometimes and get in our own way.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:16

Have you got any, have you got any thoughts about how you've managed

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:19

to get out of your own head?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:20

I know you've said that not, maybe not being as versed in some of the

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:24

issues around the comms profession in public sector and diversity

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:27

probably was helpful for you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:29

But do you have any tips you can share with others about how you can manage some

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:06:33

of that self doubt when it creeps in?

Shameema Ali: 00:06:35

Yeah, so imposter syndrome is definitely how I would describe myself.

Shameema Ali: 00:06:39

I've got really bad imposter syndrome, and I'm really lucky that not only do I have a

Shameema Ali: 00:06:43

really good, supportive network of peers, but I've also got a really supportive

Shameema Ali: 00:06:48

family who often tell me, Snap out of it.

Shameema Ali: 00:06:52

You're great at what you do.

Shameema Ali: 00:06:53

And often I find if I'm in a, at a point in my, work working day where I'm

Shameema Ali: 00:06:59

feeling like, I'm rubbish at what I'm doing or I'm not having a good day, or

Shameema Ali: 00:07:02

I just feel like I'm useless, I find it really cathartic to write down all of the

Shameema Ali: 00:07:07

things that I've achieved big and more.

Shameema Ali: 00:07:09

So if I've organized a big event or if I've managed to, do a nice

Shameema Ali: 00:07:13

story with the media or anything like that, writing it down.

Shameema Ali: 00:07:17

Keeping that list because often you forget about all the work that you

Shameema Ali: 00:07:19

do, and then having that as a list that you can refer back to when you're

Shameema Ali: 00:07:23

feeling like I'm rubbish at my job or I don't do enough, whatever it is.

Shameema Ali: 00:07:28

And it's a really nice way to keep track of all the things you do, but also to

Shameema Ali: 00:07:33

just remember that you do a lot, and stop being so hard on yourself because

Shameema Ali: 00:07:37

I have to find that I'm probably my biggest problem myself, and I think that's

Shameema Ali: 00:07:42

really helpful to have that written down.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:44

Yeah, we're all our own worst critics, aren't we?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:48

I think that we get in our own way.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:50

And I love that you have some practical things that you do to help you with that

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:54

and celebrating those achievements and successes, no matter how big or small

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:57

is a really important part of that.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:07:59

And I'm sure that will be a useful tip, definitely for people who are

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:03

listening to this episode of the podcast.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:06

You mentioned leadership in terms and support, not only from them,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:09

Obviously, you've mentioned your family but in that work setting as well.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:12

So you've shared with us a tip for managing imposter syndrome yourself,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:17

but is there anything you think other people could do or how can we manage

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:22

some of those barriers that you've described facing in your career?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:08:25

Is there anything you think we could do differently.

Shameema Ali: 00:08:29

So I think, like you, you said, leadership, people in leadership

Shameema Ali: 00:08:32

have a really important role to play in terms of who joins comms and,

Shameema Ali: 00:08:36

who can develop and succeed in it.

Shameema Ali: 00:08:38

And I think they have a really, they can make a really big difference in the outlet

Shameema Ali: 00:08:41

that they play for someone looking to enter a career in public sector comms.

Shameema Ali: 00:08:46

So I think.

Shameema Ali: 00:08:47

Genuinely, to be kind and encouraging, you never know, you might be working

Shameema Ali: 00:08:51

with a future leader and you just don't know, and if, kindness is the

Shameema Ali: 00:08:54

best way forward, I say, and nurturing people and trying to get the best out

Shameema Ali: 00:08:58

of them it's always worked for me.

Shameema Ali: 00:09:00

I've only ever done well in my career when I've been surrounded by

Shameema Ali: 00:09:03

people who are kind and nurturing build people up and support them.

Shameema Ali: 00:09:07

Our differences make us who we are and it's our duty to reflect that in

Shameema Ali: 00:09:12

our workforce, so that was probably be my words of wisdom to anyone

Shameema Ali: 00:09:16

thinking about how they can help.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:18

Brilliant.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:18

Thank you so much.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:19

And I hope it's not going to make you feel awkward if I say that you role model

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:23

all of those things yourself, I know.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:26

In the way that you operate with the people that you work with and

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:29

the people that you manage, so it's lovely that you live the things

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:32

that you feel are important in terms of helping to nurture and develop.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:35

people.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:36

I think leaders also need to remember that we role model into our

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:40

teams and organizations, don't we?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:41

So actually being really aware of how we're operating, I think in

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:44

that leadership space is important.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:46

So we've talked a little bit about.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:49

Barriers, and we are going to come onto a bit more conversation, I think

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:53

probably about diversity, but I'm keen particularly, as you said, you joined

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:09:57

the n h s just in time for COVID to hit.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:10:01

And it feel like a very different sort of, of N H s, but what have

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:10:05

been some of the highlights of your public sector comms career so far?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:10:08

Because we've talked about celebrating successes, so I'd love to know what

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:10:13

some of your highlights have been.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:15

So I think the progression that I've made in comms

Shameema Ali: 00:10:18

has probably been my career highlight.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:20

In general I'm really lucky to have moved quite quickly within public sector comms.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:24

I'm the communications lead for a hospital.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:26

And if someone told me five years ago that's the position I would

Shameema Ali: 00:10:29

be, I'd probably laugh at them.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:31

Actually, I probably wouldn't laugh at them because that's quite mean, but

Shameema Ali: 00:10:34

I would have thought it was a joke.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:36

I wouldn't have thought in a million years I would be.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:38

able or capable enough to take on such a big role, but also at the same time

Shameema Ali: 00:10:43

thoroughly enjoy what I do every day.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:45

And I think that's a real blessing.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:47

A lot of people go into work and they just do it because they have to.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:50

But I've really found true joy in what I do, but also doing

Shameema Ali: 00:10:54

something that I'm passionate about.

Shameema Ali: 00:10:56

So I think The position I'm in now is probably my career highlight and

Shameema Ali: 00:11:00

being where I am now probably is and during this entire time that I've

Shameema Ali: 00:11:04

been in public sector comms, I've been able to showcase and champion

Shameema Ali: 00:11:07

all the incredible work that staff do.

Shameema Ali: 00:11:09

And that's what I love the most being able to, showcase all of the

Shameema Ali: 00:11:13

incredible work they do, because honestly sometimes it gets overlooked

Shameema Ali: 00:11:17

and being that person that can sprinkle a bit of fairy dust on top of it.

Shameema Ali: 00:11:22

I think it's really lovely.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:24

And I don't think we should ever underestimate the role

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:26

that communicators play in educating, informing, advising and sharing, not

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:31

only the challenging things that have come through things like the pandemic,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:35

but also that really good stuff about.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:37

building that trust and getting people to understand what it is that our

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:40

colleagues in the NHS do every day that wouldn't happen without roles like ours.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:44

So I think it's really great that you recognize that, but not only recognize it,

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:47

but it makes you happy and it's something that brings you joy in your role.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:51

Why would you, because you've talked about joy and you've talked about some

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:11:55

of the challenges in your career, but why would you encourage communications

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:00

professionals to consider a career in the public sector over maybe any

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:05

other sector that they could choose?

Shameema Ali: 00:12:07

Yeah.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:08

I think comms in general, but specifically to public sector, if

Shameema Ali: 00:12:12

you're a people person who enjoys variety in their work, someone who

Shameema Ali: 00:12:16

loves to build people up, someone who enjoys telling an engaging story,

Shameema Ali: 00:12:20

then public sector comms is for you.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:22

It's really varied.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:23

It's a rewarding career and it offers you the opportunity to support and

Shameema Ali: 00:12:26

make a difference for the public.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:29

both big and small, you can really make a difference in a person's life.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:33

And I find that really incredibly rewarding.

Shameema Ali: 00:12:36

And if you're the type of person that wants to do something that is rewarding,

Shameema Ali: 00:12:39

then you should definitely go for it.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:41

I love that.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:42

Thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:43

And you mentioned a bit before about kind of leadership development and

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:47

support and I think there's sometimes a misconception that working in the public

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:51

sector you maybe don't get some of the career opportunities that you might get

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:55

in the private sector or you might not progress as quickly or get that kind

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:12:59

of level of development and support.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:13:01

So what's your experience of that been like in terms of public sector comms?

Shameema Ali: 00:13:06

I actually think it's been the opposite.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:07

So because I've worked in the private sector and the public sector, I

Shameema Ali: 00:13:11

find that the opportunities to develop and educate myself have

Shameema Ali: 00:13:16

been immense since being in the NHS.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:20

I'm, I think maybe that's down to having really good leadership or having a team

Shameema Ali: 00:13:24

that's really supportive of professional growth, but nobody shies away from it.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:28

If you want to do something, you ask.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:30

There's no, oh, I don't know whether they'll laugh at me or whatever.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:33

Ask the question and if they can do it for you, I've found in my

Shameema Ali: 00:13:36

own experience that's worked.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:37

I find that in the private sector, I've never really had any opportunities

Shameema Ali: 00:13:41

to learn or train or develop.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:43

It's just the nine to five job.

Shameema Ali: 00:13:45

So yeah, I think it's actually probably been better in public than private.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:13:50

Interesting.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:13:51

And I was checking that out because having been in public sector comms myself for 18

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:13:55

years, I'm like, maybe I'm off the mark with my thinking that there's lots of

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:13:58

opportunities to develop, but it's nice to hear it from someone who is fresher into

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:02

their public sector comms career than me.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:05

Thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:05

Sorry, I know that was a slight digression from what we've probably planned to talk

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:08

about, but I know your thoughts on that.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:15

Are you a communications professional who would like to feel more

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:18

confident in your career choices?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:20

Perhaps you'd like to be more intentional in the way you approach your work life?

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:24

Our Cats Pajamas Thrive Programme is a 12 week structured online

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:28

programme that supports communications professionals to grow and thrive.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:32

It's a safe space for discussion, action and accountability, all with

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:36

the aim of helping you to thrive as a communicator and as a leader.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:40

The next Thrive Programme starts on the 1st of September, and if you'd like to

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:44

find out more, or reserve your place on the program, visit the website, catch up

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:49

with us on the socials or drop us a line.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:54

We talked a little bit earlier about diversity and you mentioned, belonging

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:14:59

and the fact that maybe you might have got inside your own head a bit

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:15:02

when you were applying for a job if you had realized perhaps that there

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:15:05

are issues with the kind of diversity and representation in our profession.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:15:10

So I was wondering if you had any thoughts Shameema about what you think

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:15:13

we could do to encourage more diversity within the communications profession.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:20

So the organization that I work in is extremely diverse in terms

Shameema Ali: 00:15:24

of the patients that we serve, but also the full workforce that we cover.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:28

And I think personally, this has been a huge advantage to me.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:31

As an ethnic minority, I can offer a new insight into how people think,

Shameema Ali: 00:15:35

what may be important to others, and also a person that patients and staff

Shameema Ali: 00:15:39

may be more comfortable speaking to.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:42

I think people from a diverse background need to maybe stop thinking about

Shameema Ali: 00:15:45

why being different is a hindrance to them and flip it on its head and think

Shameema Ali: 00:15:50

about why being different makes them special and use that to their advantage.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:54

Our differences make us who we are and we can't change that.

Shameema Ali: 00:15:56

So I think why dwell on the things that we can't change and create barriers for

Shameema Ali: 00:16:00

ourself, but be positive and be true to yourself and own it and use that

Shameema Ali: 00:16:05

to push you forward in your career.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:16:08

I love that.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:16:08

Thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:16:09

Shameema, if you knew somebody who was considering a career in public sector

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:16:14

communications and they were a bit on the fence, umming and ahhing whether to

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:16:18

go for it, what advice might you give them based on your experience to date?

Shameema Ali: 00:16:23

Yeah.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:24

So I would say be their true self.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:27

Don't hold back.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:28

Don't dwell on what other people can do.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:32

You can only show your true self.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:33

No one's gonna know who you are unless you showcase the best of yourself.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:38

So I think put your best foot forward.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:41

Think about what makes you great at what you do and just showcase that.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:44

I think if you dwell on what other...

Shameema Ali: 00:16:46

other people are doing.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:47

That's your own hindrance.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:48

You've got nothing to lose with applying for a job.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:50

If you don't get a job, you don't get it, but I think go

Shameema Ali: 00:16:54

for it and see what happens.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:55

Because honestly, I went for a role in comms.

Shameema Ali: 00:16:57

I had no real comms experience and someone took a chance on

Shameema Ali: 00:17:00

me and I've not looked back.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:02

And I'm really, I'm forever grateful for it.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:05

Oh, I love that.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:06

Thank you so much, Shameema.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:08

And one of the questions I wanted to come back to and just talk a little

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:11

bit about was around those barriers.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:13

And I know you said barriers for you have been things that you've put put

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:17

there and you've stopped yourself potentially from progressing because

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:20

of your own internal barriers.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:22

But do you think there is anything that we could be doing that would help to

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:17:27

reduce barriers for others in terms of taking that step into our profession?

Shameema Ali: 00:17:32

So I think on a personal level, someone who's questioning it,

Shameema Ali: 00:17:35

I would say surround yourself with allies, people who want to support

Shameema Ali: 00:17:39

you, build you up and help you develop.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:41

I wouldn't want, I don't think you should dwell on others

Shameema Ali: 00:17:43

and their career trajectory.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:45

Everyone's different.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:47

Work on yourself and your goals.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:48

It's easy to get sucked into office politics and other things and

Shameema Ali: 00:17:53

how other people are progressing.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:55

And that can lead to a lot of negative self doubt, really negative mindset.

Shameema Ali: 00:17:59

So do what you can to support yourself and enjoy the work that you do.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:03

And that will help you shine.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:04

I find the work that I enjoy the most is the best type of work I do.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:08

And if there are areas of work that you don't enjoy, which everyone has

Shameema Ali: 00:18:12

consider why that is, is it because, you don't feel confident enough

Shameema Ali: 00:18:15

in it and address that head on.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:18

So look for additional training that can help you.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:22

But I think you need to be your own change.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:24

I don't, I think, it's great to surround yourself with good people, but you need

Shameema Ali: 00:18:26

to make that positive change yourself.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:29

Oh, Shameema, that's such good advice for people

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:32

who are listening, for sure.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:33

And there is something isn't there in there about, you have to really want it.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:37

And I think I think I'm always really impressed by how much you invest in it.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:41

in developing your own self and growing and developing as

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:45

a professional and as a leader.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:46

And it's been an absolute privilege to see some of your journey so far.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:51

And I know there'll be greater things to come in this space as well.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:54

So you'll definitely want to watch Shameema.

Shameema Ali: 00:18:56

Oh, thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:18:57

please do keep going with encouraging others to develop themselves

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:01

and challenge themselves as well, because I think that's really important

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:03

part of growing in the profession.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:06

I've really appreciated you giving us some of your insight

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:08

and sharing your journey today.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:10

Is there any Oh, thank you for coming.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:13

You're so welcome.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:14

And I'm sure we might be back interviewing you again in a few years time when you've

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:18

taken your next step in your career trajectory and we'll be asking, we'll be

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:22

asking for your advice for communicators who want to follow in your footsteps.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:26

Thank you so much for sharing today and spending the time being part of this.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:30

And good luck with whatever adventures lie ahead for you in your comms career

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:35

and thank you for all you do to support and encourage other communicators

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:38

to be their best selves because I think you do that really well.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:41

So thank you.

Shameema Ali: 00:19:42

Thank you so much.

Shameema Ali: 00:19:43

Thank you.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:47

Thank you for listening to this episode of Behind the Bob.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:50

I'd love for you to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:53

and leave a rating or a review.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:55

You can also engage with me over on the socials.

Carrie-Ann Wade: 00:19:58

You can find me on Instagram and on Twitter at @catspjs_uk.