Nousha Etemad, securing job satisfaction through values
Nousha Etemad is a manager with the Technology Integration Consulting practice of Deloitte in Toronto, Canada. She provides project management and consulting services to client organizations, a role which often involves building, directing, motivating and empowering diverse teams.
"I chose consulting as my latest career path because, generally speaking, this field accommodates my values and passions, providing me the inner satisfaction and motivation that makes me happy with my job.”
She is a member of Project Management Institute (PMI), and a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with focus on evaluation of Information Technology (IT) processes, systems and methods and determination of their alignment with business strategy; IT governance, IT strategy, and IT transformation.
“Like many of those in my generation, I am already on my third career path since graduating university 8 years ago! One of the earliest lessons I learned was that I needed to know myself, and live my values. Because no matter how beneficial some aspects of a potential career may be, I knew that I would not be happy if it went against what I believe to be my intrinsic values.”
Her successful career began as a Mechanical Engineer in the automotive industry and expanded into the field of e-learning and delivery of complex technology and enterprise systems integration projects.
Nousha has developed training materials and facilitated different workshops on topics such as "Beyond Servant Leadership: Applying Spiritual Values in the Workplace", "Improving Employee-Employer Relationships: Motivation, Compensation & Benefits" and "Redefining Success"
EBBF asks: So how do we begin to understand our own values and apply them in our career choices?
Nousha replies: Make a list of the five values you feel are most important to you. If you're looking for job satisfaction, you're not going to find it until you discover a career path that integrates with what's inherently important to you. And… be honest with yourself, don’t just write down what you think ‘should’ be your values, but what they ‘truly’ are!
EBBF asks: How have you been able to apply your values to your life and career choices?
Nousha replies: I believe that everyone should strive to be a leader in their own sphere of influence. In this context ‘leadership’ does not imply being in a management position, but rather it means fostering an environment where everyone can fulfill their full potential. Therefore community, contribution, and cooperation become very important. I always try and place myself in situations where I can be authentic, inspire others in a shared vision, empower other leaders to emerge, and aid in releasing latent human potential. I read a very interesting passage recently which relates to this:
“By linking material progress with fundamental spiritual aspirations, by appealing to those universal values which enable the individual to transcend narrow self-interest, the peoples of the world can be empowered to translate high-minded ideals and principles into constructive, sustained actions for their own well-being and the betterment of their communities.” (Bahá'í International Community, 1994 Aug 22, Toward a Development Paradigm for 21st Century)
EBBF asks: Which of the EBBF Core Values resonates most with you? Why?
Nousha replies: Values Based Leadership, because by putting this Core Value into practice I can constantly strive to help others, I can have an impact on the world (however small it might be), and I can surround myself with like-minded coworkers.
