EMBA Brochure 2019/20 Hult_EMBA_Brochure_2019/20joomag | Page 57

CAREER IMPACT
A 2015 Hult graduate , Omar comes from a bloodline of entrepreneurs . Recognized as one of the top 100 Arab CEOs in April 2018 , we hear from Omar on why an Executive MBA was the right step to becoming a better leader .
Omar Hosari Syrian Co-founder & CEO UAS International Trip Support Class of 2015
Given the success of your business , why did you decide to do an EMBA ?
I come from an extremely industrious family — entrepreneurship is in my blood . I ’ ve been lucky enough to enjoy success at a young age , however , I ’ m never complacent and I believe that there is always room for improvement .
My inspiration is always to better myself further and to keep my senses and business acumen as sharp as possible . The EMBA was part of this process of constant selfdevelopment and improvement .
How were you able to balance a successful global business with your studies at Hult ?
It was a personal goal of mine to achieve an EMBA . Like all goals , once we have committed to them , we find a way to make them a reality .
As CEO of a global organization , travel is a large part of my role . It was vital for me to find a balance between my professional leadership obligations and having time to study . In this sense , having the ability to attend multiple campuses was a great advantage .
From the academic side , my daily use of analytical thinking , strategic planning , and negotiation skills meant that while I was studying the theory , I was simultaneously practicing .
I think the most valuable lesson I learned is that we can always push ourselves more . The only limitations on our capabilities are the ones we choose to impose on ourselves .
What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur ?
My advice is to roll with the punches and follow your instincts . You will encounter a lot of challenges , but you need to embrace them . And embrace failure for its potential to teach you the valuable lessons that lead to success . Stay out of your comfort zone — success doesn ’ t happen if we are not pushed to our limits .
Being an entrepreneur is about being resourceful and innovative and finding better ways of doing things . However , be prepared that sometimes things won ’ t work out as you planned or hoped . Use these disappointments as motivation , and make persistence your constant companion . If you give up , you will never succeed .
Finally , be proud of your achievements but don ’ t let them define you — it ’ s where you ’ re going that matters , not where you ’ ve been .
What ‘ s next ?
I ’ ve always wanted to conquer Mount Everest — it ’ s been a dream of mine since childhood . I believe leadership begins at the front , so my inspiration in attempting this is to motivate others .
In preparation for eventually taking on Everest , I ‘ ve recently traveled to the Nepalese Himalayas to climb Island Peak .
Left : In April 2018 , Omar was honored with an Arab Best Award for Leadership and named one of the top 100 Arab CEOs .
Right : Preparing for Mount Everest , Omar traveled to the Nepalese Himalayas to climb Island Peak .
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