Featured Interviews - Miles to go before I Sleep
Mr. Irfan Mustafa reveals his secret ingredient to success
Interviewed by Sibtain Naqvi, Alumnus 2005 & Transcribed by S. Komal Jafri, Alumna 2013
Among many notable achievements, Mustafa's charitable
and philanthropic efforts were particularly heralded.
For several years he has been actively involved in
social and community-based projects that focus on the
development of youth, education and poverty alleviation.
Mustafa is especially passionate about reaching the
Muslim youth in Pakistan, the Middle East and the United
States to steer them away from violence and to "use
their minds" to compete in the world, to co-exist with
those who have opposing values and views, and to elevate
their stature as global citizens.
Here's how he shares his journey of brilliance spanning
almost 4 decades:
Q: What led you to seek
admission in IBA?
A: I wanted to go to United States for my higher
education but my parents had other plans. My mother
wanted me to stay back so she could spend time with me.
She convinced my father who incidentally was a pioneer
of management education in Pakistan and on the board of
IBA. He asked me to meet the then heavyweights of IBA,
Dr. I. A. Mukhtar Dr. Abdul Wahab and Dr. Matin A. Khan.
Well as they say, the rest is history and I ended up
spending some memorable years in IBA.
Q: How was the IBA experience for you as a student?
A: In short, before coming to IBA, I was a brute young
man with not much goals in mind. But all that changed
during my stay at IBA. Bludgeoned with constant quizzes
and assignments coupled with competitive atmosphere and
strict timelines put me on a track to success. I can
never forget IBA. It has to go with me in my grave.
Q: Tell us a memorable anecdote from your days at IBA.
A: I can never forget the classroom sessions by Mr.
Danishmand. Unlike other faculty members, he used to
engage students in and beyond classroom. No faith in
lectures or books. We used to sit in groups and have
open discussion on topic. Now this was a hardcore
experiential learning in very informal setup where you
were forced to contribute and engage and learn
communication. Even beyond classrooms we had a healthy
relationship with Mr. Danishmand.
Q: What in your opinion makes an IBA student stand out
from the rest?
A: I was on board of LUMS for few years and whenever I
lectured there, students would ask me to draw comparison
between the two institutions. So I used to tell them
that if IBA were a brand and a human being; he would be
Charles Bronson (tactical, street smart, decisive,
roll-up-the-sleeps, doers) and LUMS would Robert Redford
(broad, hero, aura, drama, charisma, slightly hollow).
Probably, this differentiation could be attributed to
the impact of Karachi. Karachi's ethos or culture is
also the same (street smart, down-to-earth) playing out
there. You could rely on IBA's students. This is IBA's
strength.
Q: Do you think that IBA degree is marketable globally?
A: My point of view is that why do IBA graduates want to
move out of country. Pakistan needs talent and
leadership so IBA should focus on marketing their
students in Pakistan. IBA should be developed into a
brand serving to the local market.
Q: How did you start your career? Was it an eventful
journey to where you are now?
A: After my MBA from IBA, I went to IMD University,
Switzerland for my second MBA in 1975. Upon returning, I
joined Unilever as Management Trainee. During training,
I was asked to spend around 3 months with Sales
Department. The company sent me to Hyderabad for a month
to spend time with sales team/sales rep. In scorching
heat, we would walk on foot through the cities selling
soaps and stuff. I ended up getting a heat stroke. I was
admitted into hospital where I was made to lie on an ice
slab. My father came to fetch me and took me back to
head office in Karachi only to see me land in Hyderabad
after sometime. In retrospect, this exhaustive training
taught me the worth of hard work and the art of bread
winning.
Q: If you had the chance to start your career over
again, what would you do differently?
A: In my 14 year career with Unilever I never did field
assignments. Had I acquired on-the-field sales
experience I would have been in completely different
league. I'm not complaining as I have done quite well
but sales experience would have helped me. Moreover, if
given a chance I would work on the social aspect of my
professional career. At the end, it is all about
relationships. Understanding informal dynamics is
absolutely critical. Getting along with people and keep
your eyes and ears open.
Q: What do you think is the most important factor for
being a success in today's world? What do you attribute
your success to?
A: What matters most is EQ and not IQ. Soft skills are
most important. There is a huge gap in this area because
no institution is working on it. You must be able to
embrace diversity and multicultural environment and
coexist; from native citizen to a global citizen. This
transaction is most important and nobody is teaching us
that. Intelligent graduates from great universities lag
behind in lives because of lower EQ. Your level of
confidence, self-esteem, belief in yourself, and your
inside-out approach helps you race ahead.
In my case, I will attribute my success to God. There
had been too many invisible hands I owe my success to;
mother's prayers and my partner has helped me through so
many problems. Hard work, focus, clarity, ambition,
passion is a must but without God's help you can achieve
nothing.
Q: Define happiness as you understand it in today's fast
paced world?
A: Grass is always greener on the other side. There is
no one in the world who isn't troubled. It is important
to understand and accept. Happiness is not linked with
material. I have learnt this with bitter experiences.
How you positively impacted and changed other people's
lives; now that's your legacy. Nobody will remember your
bank balance, your cars, or any material possessions. If
you keep this in mind there will not be greed or envy.
Instead of looking at others, go for your personal best
and this will give you happiness.
Q: Tell us something about your family and your
interests other than work. How do maintain your
work-life balance?
A: Generally speaking, I am a serious art/antique
collector, mostly, Middle East and the Indian
sub-continent. This includes paintings, furniture,
carpets and pieces of decoration.
I am also actively involved with the youth on leadership
development in the capacity of a teacher, mentor and
coach. I also actively and unashamedly promote Pakistan
and showcase its positive side.
On the family front I have a partner/spouse (Yasmin)
whom I met at IBA in 1972 and fell in love with. She is
my backbone and my right hand. I am also blessed with 3
great kids (Ayesha, Harris and Gibran) each one of whom
are making a mark in their own right, especially Ayesha
who is highly celebrated and accomplished entrepreneur
in the field of Ethical Fashion based out of London. She
runs her own online boutique under the brand name
Fashion Compassion. Both Harris and Gibran are involved
in the food business and developing into success
entrepreneurs.
Q: Over the years, what noticeable changes have you
observed in IBA Graduates?
A: I have observed positive changes in IBA graduates.
From tactical, they are becoming more strategic. Their
view is getting broader. IBA was seen as a solid product
but not brand. Now they are beginning to become brands.
They are much more confident now.
Q: What role can alumni play in the success and
development of IBA?
A: We owe it to IBA. I especially owe it all to IBA.
Alumni must recognize the institutions. Look at what
others have done for their alma maters. The will to do
comes from inside. Everybody is self-centered. It's the
problem with country, and institution is suffering from
the same. Only with individual effort, people are doing
a lot!
Q: What message would you like to give to the present
IBA students as well as the alumni?
A: First of all, current students, as soon as you get
opportunity choose your life partner at IBA. I have had
an extra ordinary journey. Secondly, you need to
self-reflect and listen to your inner voice. Your inner
self never lies. You have to make your own narrative and
your country's narrative. Seek help and take mentorships
that will help you change your narrative.
Q: What would you consider to have been your greatest
achievement?
A: My greatest achievement has been as a pioneer of so
many initiatives and as a change agent. I hate status
quo. 'Don't fix it if it isn't broken' is most
ridiculous statement. Because if you fix it you get
performance. I have taught at some of the prestigious
universities on the globe including Stanford, Berkeley,
and Columbia. During these almost 40 years of my career,
I have unashamedly been optimistic about Pakistan and
promoted it at every forum I could lay my hands on.
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