- 6/25/2025
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00:00It is important to not sulk.
00:02Now you could call me a monk who did not sell her Ferrari.
00:05Even when you go in an airplane, when they're giving that, you know, emergency talk,
00:11they say when there will be an oxygen mask, you put on yourself first and on your child later.
00:17Just say, I get to do this, right? I get to go to work. I get to see my friends.
00:21How much is it changing your life?
00:23Yeah, how many zeros can you add if you're a millionaire or a billionaire?
00:27You should not judge a book by its cover, but the reality is that people do judge a book by its cover.
00:39Hello and welcome back to the podcast. If you're new here, my name is Sheen. I'm your host.
00:43And today we're joined by the wonderful Dr. Sana Sarjan.
00:47Sana is a doctor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, artist, and she's the director at the Danube Group.
00:53And she's here today to share with us everything that she has learned through her wonderful journey.
00:58Hello, Sana. Welcome.
00:59Thank you so much for having me here, Sheen.
01:01Thank you. How are you doing?
01:03I'm so excited to be here because, you know, it's just every day you don't meet somebody like you.
01:09You've got literally the Sheen in you. You've got the shine and sparkle.
01:12So I'm really happy to exchange this energy.
01:14That's so sweet. Honestly, when I was doing my homework for this podcast and I was watching all of your reels,
01:19I was like, your energy is contagious. It's very rare to come across people who are bubbly and happy all the time.
01:25And I'm really happy that you're actually like this in person as well.
01:28So very excited for this conversation. So tell us a little bit about your journey.
01:32Oh, well, where do we start?
01:34It started with medicine, right? Should we go there?
01:38So why did I want to be a doctor?
01:40Yeah.
01:41Somehow, because my family, we have a family of 36 doctors at the moment, you know, so.
01:46I like how you said at the moment, like there's more to go.
01:50Because this is ongoing, right?
01:51So when you have so many healers in your family and coming from the Indian diaspora,
01:58you choose things which put you at a certain level.
02:02And becoming a doctor is always something which is respected throughout, you know.
02:05And I believe that being a healer in any form, it's amazing.
02:08And I chose to be a doctor because I always looked up to my father, who's an amazing doctor.
02:12And he was always a fun person, very handsome.
02:16And still he was a doctor, not a boring person.
02:18So I thought, okay, I can be a doctor like him.
02:21And I chose to be a doctor.
02:24That's why I chose the profession.
02:26But then, you know, while I was becoming a doctor,
02:31I also experienced that there is so much need in the society of, you know,
02:36expensive treatments, which can be somehow delivered to the patients in some other way possible,
02:44you know, to make it available to them.
02:45So that pain was always there.
02:47I mean, it could be going back to my upbringing and also being a sensitive person.
02:52I always saw that pain in the society.
02:54Even while I was in my college, I used to use my scholarship to, you know,
02:57help some poor patients and just get their treatments done and pay for their labs and stuff.
03:02So it was always something which was there in my personality.
03:07And then I came back to Dubai with my family.
03:10And here it looked very glitzy and glam, which is usually the facade which people see,
03:16which is there, you know, Dubai is amazing.
03:19It's literally a realistic utopia.
03:22That's how I put to Dubai.
03:24But the thing is that when you look for,
03:26you will still find places where there are needs and you can fulfill them.
03:31So that's what I looked for.
03:33And I started working with the thalassemia patients in the thalassemia center here in the hospital,
03:38where I felt that it is not just that you need to help patients monetarily,
03:43you need to give them some time and maybe create some, you know, art events or do some classes with them.
03:50Or for that matter, just spread, you know, some information about the awareness of the situation,
03:57what people go through when they're in thalassemia.
03:59And so, but, and then through that journey, I got, you know,
04:03associated with the Genetic Disease Association here, which is led by Dr. Maria Matar.
04:09And she's been working very hard to, you know, clear out thalassemia, which is a genetic disease.
04:16And I, along with her, somehow kept working in creating the awareness.
04:21So that was one of the things that I was working on.
04:23While all of this was going on, I got married.
04:27And there is a very important division in Danube called Danube Welfare Center.
04:33So when our chairman, dad, he saw that I'm into helping people, he said,
04:39Sana, why don't you also join Danube Welfare Center?
04:43And that's where I was on the cruise and getting my makeup done.
04:47And back, I had already set up in Dubai, a team which were doing registrations for blue-collared workers for studies.
04:54And then that's how the journey with Welfare Center started, how we, because this was one of the dreams of our chairman, Rizwan Sarjan, to help blue-collared workers, you know.
05:05So, and that's the journey of them getting the education and helping them.
05:10And there are so many other things, you know, while, you know, there is no end to helping people,
05:15because it could be monetarily, it could be education, it could be just giving them a good vibe, you know.
05:21And that's how life is. And I've been through, you know, those stages.
05:25And I love to give that energy to people, the good energy. And that's my journey.
05:30Oh, wow. That's beautiful. And what I love is how many times you've pivoted a little bit.
05:35You know, you're keeping to what you're doing, but you're also, like, venturing into new aspects of work.
05:41And how do you approach this, you know, because you went from, obviously, medical field to business field.
05:47And obviously now with Danube, you do a lot of real estate as well.
05:50So how do you approach any big pivots in your career?
05:54Okay. So let me start like this, that we as women, we are a form of God's light on earth.
06:03And this was one of my recent posts on Instagram as well, that, you know, as women, when we are born,
06:08we are born as Lakshmi into the family. We bring that good energy into the family, you know.
06:12And then we give all that amazing vibrancy into our family.
06:16You know, you will see any house who's got a daughter, they have that, you know, beautiful colors in their home.
06:23And any father would vouch for what I'm saying over here.
06:27And coming from the Indian diaspora, you know, in India, there are something called a Devi.
06:33And for the certain audience who don't know what it is, a Devi is the idol of a goddess, which has 10 hands.
06:39And each hand holds a different tool in her hand.
06:43You know, one could be, it could be, for me, for example, it could be a pen, it could be a book, it could be a music instrument,
06:49it could be a healing instrument like a stethoscope, or it could be, you know, love and kisses for my family.
06:55So we as women are born as goddesses.
06:58And each woman is a goddess, and we are all capable of doing a lot of things.
07:03So how I would say that I have always wanted to do a lot of things in life.
07:08And that thought of being larger than life, I have always kept it alive.
07:14What is larger than life?
07:15You know, our limitations, our thoughts are what limit us, right?
07:19So when you open that cage, you become larger than life.
07:23So if I want to do something, I always keep that bucket list.
07:27And I repeat it wherever I go, that I encourage people to keep that bucket list.
07:31If you don't want to put a timeline to it, don't put a timeline to it, but keep it.
07:36There will come a day where you will accomplish it.
07:39And that's what I've done after becoming, finishing my med school, you know,
07:43I also did an MBA in healthcare services, where we also studied business.
07:47So that's why the healthcare division in Danube was started.
07:50And, you know, American aesthetics is that, where I'm managing right now,
07:55which is, you know, under the umbrella of plastic surgery,
07:58everything comes as, you know, a static transformation over there.
08:02I call it also as a happiness center, because, you know,
08:04you come in and get yourself fixed, and you look, you feel good, you look good, you know.
08:09So that's what I have been.
08:12Why should we put a limitation of our career brand onto our expertise,
08:18or to anything that we choose to in life?
08:22I say we are limitless.
08:24I agree.
08:24I agree.
08:25But I love that.
08:26So you see, the way you talk about this, it makes me feel so empowered.
08:29But it's just how I get it, right?
08:32It's realistically, we all know what we want to do.
08:35And at some point, you, and I don't remember who said it, I think it's Mark Twain, right,
08:39who said it, there are two most important days of your life.
08:41The first one is when you're born, and the second one is when you figure out why you were born.
08:46And clearly, you figured out what your mission is on this planet, right?
08:50But then, now walk us through what a day-to-day with Sana looks like.
08:54I'm sure no two days are the same, right?
08:56But what does a traditional day look like?
08:59So I want to add to something that you said about Mark Twain.
09:03There is also something that I came across, and it has repeatedly been coming across in front of me,
09:07that we all live two lives.
09:10One is the life that was given to us.
09:12The second life, that when we realize that that is the only life that we have,
09:17and we live it to the fullest.
09:19Wow.
09:19So, yeah, you got to keep your ambitions.
09:23And that's what drives me.
09:24My brother was asking me the other day that, you know, Sana, why do you need to do so many things?
09:32What is it that comes in your heart when you wake up in the morning?
09:35So I will tell you, so when I sleep in the night, I look at my calendar the next day.
09:41This helps me design my day for the next day, because I cannot just wake up and not have anything to do.
09:47This doesn't mean that I have a lot of clutter in my head.
09:51No.
09:51Organization is definitely something that helps you optimize your time and resources.
09:57So for me, time management is definitely something which I would put as my first and foremost, you know, strength.
10:05And that also helps in not only multitasking, but also getting the best out of your people.
10:12And that's where I come to my second strength, which is my team and my people.
10:16Right.
10:17So when you have the right team, which doesn't just dawn upon, you know, you have to create that team.
10:22It takes time to have that team with you where you have a sink, where you have similar thoughts, and also you empower them.
10:29You know, so be it my from my home, if it is my staff or my nannies, you know, or my driver or my house manager.
10:36You know, you it is it is very important to have that sink of thoughts, communication and understanding between the team and also to share a good energy.
10:46Yeah.
10:46So you give some, you get some, you know.
10:48So that's one thing from the home and coming to work.
10:52Again, it's the same story that the team needs to feel that ownership, you know.
10:57So and how does that come?
10:58It comes from top to bottom and then from bottom to up.
11:01So that's what it goes when time management and team is important for me.
11:06And that's what helps me.
11:07So if I slept yesterday, I saw my calendar for today, what I need to do.
11:11And then I wake up early morning, I go to my sons, because they sleep in the other room, the boys.
11:18I wake them up, they go to their shower to get ready for the school.
11:22Then I go to my daughter, I wake her up, get her to get into the shower and then come back.
11:28Meanwhile, I'm coming back, Adil is up.
11:31Yeah, so all of them are up.
11:32And I see that daddy's already in the swimming pool, mom's almost going to wake up.
11:37So all our family lives together, right?
11:39So and then we all have breakfast together and everyone runs away to their work, you know.
11:45So Adil has to go to early morning gym and then he has his own hectic day.
11:49We say hello, hi, goodbye and then happy good day.
11:52And then I rush to my gym.
11:54Then from gym, I run to my work.
11:56And then by the time it's 530 is when my clock in my head starts ticking that,
12:01OK, now is the time when my children need me because I need to put them to bed early too.
12:06So I rush home and then, you know, spend some quality time with them swimming or playing or just, you know, enjoying.
12:14And by the time it's eight o'clock, they're tucked in bed.
12:17And that's the time when we party.
12:20If there are any occasions, you know, usually the formal events and just friend visits, etc.
12:26That's also post eight.
12:27So, you know, it's just like managing the time and people.
12:30And you get seven days a week and 24 hours a day.
12:34So how the best you can get out of it, you know, that's what it is.
12:39Wow. I love that.
12:40And I think you were telling me this earlier as well, that as a woman, you wear many hats.
12:45But when you're wearing one hat, you're fully focused in that hat.
12:48Right. And I think I love how your days basically split in you being kind of like the daughter-in-law
12:53and then the woman at work and then the mom.
12:56And then you're being the fun sonner in the evening.
12:59Yeah. And then you got to, you know, I believe that it is important to not sulk.
13:04Of course.
13:05You know, a lot of times I come across people who are like, oh, my God, another party.
13:09Yeah.
13:10No, it's a blessing to have a party.
13:12You're blessed to have friends who are wanting you to join them and have fun with you, you know.
13:16Or for that matter, oh, my God, I have to go to work again.
13:19No, it's a blessing to be busy.
13:21You know, we're we're so blessed that we have work, we have people to meet, we have positive energy, you know,
13:27everything is flowing in the right direction.
13:29So it's very important to get the right energy out of your schedule, you know.
13:33And that also cascades down into all your teammates as well.
13:37So, yeah.
13:38I agree.
13:38And we wear different hats.
13:39I think a lot of times I laugh at Adil that which one are you going to meet today?
13:46Which son is coming today?
13:47Which son is meeting you today?
13:48So, yeah, you wear different hats.
13:51And when you are living in the moment, you know, life is also about that balance.
13:55So I have to also struggle sometimes in the sense that I am living in the moment.
14:01But at the same time, my next schedule is also there.
14:04So we are capable of doing a lot of things.
14:06And that's where we shuffle between the hats.
14:08And I forget who person, which person I am after this because I have to switch my roles.
14:13Yes.
14:13So if I'm painting, I'm an artist and I'm in that zone.
14:17It's a trance.
14:17And that's how I will be able to deliver fully in that role, you know.
14:22So, yeah.
14:22And then you switch.
14:23The painting's done.
14:24Okay.
14:25Now the next step.
14:26What are you going to do?
14:27Okay.
14:27Food time.
14:28You're hungry.
14:29The more I say that if you're eating well, you're drinking your water well, you're taking
14:34the right nutrition.
14:35And if you're working out, that also takes away 80% of your issues in life.
14:40Yes.
14:41You know, so I propagate, I say it out loud and I repeat it that it is very important for
14:47everybody and especially for women to take care of themselves because you are the backbone
14:52of the family.
14:53Exactly.
14:54I agree.
14:55And I love what you talked about, the mindset being so important into everything because
14:59that's how you start your day and it impacts the rest of your day, however you approach
15:05everything.
15:06And I love, I heard this somewhere where it says, instead of saying, oh my God, I have
15:09to go to work.
15:10I have to do this.
15:12Just say, I get to do this.
15:13Yeah.
15:13I get to go to work.
15:15I get to see my friends.
15:16I love it.
15:16Yeah.
15:17And it's a change of-
15:18Or I love it.
15:19Just reframing of how you approach everything instead of seeing it as I'm forced to do this.
15:23It's more that, oh, it's a new opportunity for me.
15:26You know, like gym, some people, including a lot of my family members, you know, they're
15:33like, oh, this is such a punishment.
15:36Yes.
15:36No, why?
15:37You're blessed.
15:38You're able to take some time out and come to the gym and you have a trainer and you're
15:42able to work out.
15:42You're able-bodied to do this.
15:44It's amazing.
15:45You know, you should be thankful to God.
15:47And once you change that perspective, when you start loving going to the gym, that's
15:51when a lot of things change.
15:53Because it's a chain of thoughts, right?
15:54It's not just easier.
15:56You yield better.
15:57Because everything is in the mind and we are very capable of taking control of mind, you
16:02know, and the sooner you do that, the better it is.
16:05Because that's when you can really become larger than life.
16:08I love that.
16:10But now I want to go back to what you were talking about, how your team is one of your
16:14strengths, right?
16:15And I think this is one thing, especially as a woman leader, it becomes very important
16:19how you portray yourself as a leader, because there is this very fine balance between being
16:25too empathetic as a woman to your team and also coming across as being too harsh because
16:30you don't want to come across as a woman.
16:32So how do you strike this balance?
16:35So this is a fun thing.
16:37I am also learning from the sharks I live with, which is Rizwan Sajjan and Adal Sajjan.
16:42And they are amazing leaders.
16:43They have a lot of things which are similar in them.
16:46And they have a lot of things which as leaders, they are very different leaders as well at
16:49the same time.
16:50So some things overlap and some things they bring very unique.
16:52So, and for me, I bring my own, of course, essence as a person who is, you know, as a
17:00team leader, but also I learn from them because they're definitely amazing and they've proven
17:05or, you know, over time with their track records.
17:08So it's a little bit of a tug of war.
17:12You know, you do a stick and carrot, different leaders, different styles.
17:20My leadership style is more empathetic, as you say, but sometimes it gets like, okay,
17:25now the delivery, you have to really, you know, put things into point.
17:28So as you, with time and experience, it gets a little bit more easier to deliver what you
17:33want.
17:34So with our team, we have regular team meetings.
17:37In that, it is important to know what are the challenges.
17:41First, we say that these are our targets.
17:45Okay.
17:45Yes.
17:46And we put realistic targets, which are time bound.
17:48Of course, in sales, you got to put time bound targets.
17:51And then you discuss with the team, do you think it's achievable?
17:53You discuss with them and then say, what is it that you need as a tool to achieve those?
17:59Okay.
17:59While you take up the tools, ask them what will be the challenges you might face?
18:03And then we find out solutions, you know, sometimes on the spot or sometimes on the go.
18:08Because some things can be a strategy, but to achieve that point A to point B, you need
18:14certain tactics and tactics can change, you know.
18:17So a lot of times we keep certain strategies, the main thing.
18:21But of course, some things, if you need to modulate, we change.
18:24And if somebody is slacking, you need to see if it is a personal problem or if it is a consistent
18:30issue and they're not delivering out of being lazy.
18:33And sometimes what happens, a chain is as strong as the weakest link.
18:37Of course.
18:37Okay.
18:37So you need to really constantly diagnose what is the issue happening.
18:41And if it is going to be a chronic issue, then you really need to strike it, you know.
18:46And you can give a few chances.
18:48Normally, my number is three for the chances.
18:50And you give a few chances, you help the person to work it out.
18:54But if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work.
18:56Okay.
18:56So you have to keep shuffling between, I don't like to do the higher and higher.
19:01So I give a lot of chances.
19:03But the recent practice in business, they keep saying that the sooner you fire, the better it is.
19:09So a lot of business practices and leaders are doing that as well because there is no time to lose.
19:15For me, I am a little bit more warm and I happen to give more chances to people
19:20because I am always, you know, considerate about what's going on behind this issue, you know.
19:26So that's what my approach is.
19:27And after all of this, besides the sales, it is very important, you know, in all of Danube
19:34and including my verticals as well, that we make sure that customer service is a full package,
19:39you know, because one customer, a happy customer will bring in two or three more happy customers
19:46or probably even if it doesn't, at least he will come back, you know.
19:50So while a sad or unhappy customer can damage that same image, you know,
19:56and a brand is built with a lot of work over a period of time, you know.
20:00If your number of negative comments out of 1,000, the percentage is smaller, let's say 15.
20:06You need to address those, but at least that number should not go higher than like, you know, a certain percentage.
20:12So you need to address the issues regularly.
20:15It is very important to be there hands on.
20:17At the same time, you know, it's just a really good mix of things that you have to be, you know, actively doing.
20:26Yeah.
20:26Wow.
20:27I love that.
20:28Thank you for taking us on that little tour of your leadership and how you work with the team.
20:33And now, of course, you're a mom as well.
20:35Do you think that plays a role in how you approach business and approach your team now?
20:40For sure.
20:41One of the things that I say that the, you know, men and a lot of women who have not yet come to that stage, you know,
20:49it's important for me to share it with them that becoming a mother really opens up your heart to understanding people more.
20:58And especially now that I have more than one child, it's a community that I have in the house, you know,
21:03and each one of them is different.
21:05They have their own personalities.
21:06They have their own choices and they have their own ways and approach to different things.
21:11So I knew it theoretically.
21:13I was trying to practice it in my life earlier as well.
21:17But now that it is there in my house, it just comes more naturally to me to understand people more.
21:23And, you know, how, what kind of approach should be cut out to get the best out of this person.
21:28Because in a team, a team is as good as a captain, right?
21:33So if the captain is able to nurture the talent in the team and get the best out of that person, you all perform well.
21:39So, yes, it has definitely helped me.
21:42And it also helps me understand the women who are having a family who are a part of my team.
21:50Yes.
21:51You know, so we give them a little bit of leverage on that and we understand them better and we help them more.
21:56You know, so even though we always have those rules to help women who are pregnant or who are nursing or who have kids.
22:04So, but becoming a mother, it always helps.
22:06You know, I mean, it has helped me definitely.
22:08Amazing.
22:09So now I want to switch gear a little bit because you are a little bit unique as a guest here.
22:13And I think most people who are watching or listening will think of you as someone who has made it, you know, who is doing well in life.
22:21So if we were to look at life through your lenses as someone who's on the other side, you know, what is your relationship with money?
22:30Okay.
22:31So as a person, I'm very Sufi.
22:34Okay.
22:35And let me explain what a Sufi is.
22:37I would be a hermit otherwise if I was not here.
22:40And there was a time when I really chose to really almost at the verge of shaving my head and becoming a monk.
22:46Oh, wow.
22:47So now you could call me a monk who did not sell her Ferrari.
22:53I love that.
22:55So, yeah.
22:55And it's funny that just yesterday I was having this conversation with my husband that he asked me that, Sana, would you become a priest or a monk?
23:04And I'm like, when I met you, I was almost at the verge of shaving my head and going to the Himalayas, you know, so right there.
23:10But it is a bigger challenge to stay in this world and strike a balance in these worldly opportunities and excel over here while creating that peace in your heart.
23:22You know, and that is a bigger achievement.
23:24And I would say that you can't achieve excellence in anything because the end goal is God and excellence is only God.
23:32But yes, for sure, I am always actively working on that peace, you know, which is most important and take on money.
23:42In today's day and age, people salute money.
23:45They respect money.
23:45They would put a red carpet for money.
23:47And we've seen it.
23:48You know, it happens that there is a fun story about one saint in olden days in Persia that when he was really respected by the king at that time.
23:59And the king sent some robes and said that I would like to invite you and I would like to host a big feast in your honor.
24:07Okay.
24:08And he said he sent his acceptance and he said he will be there.
24:11Then he was a big saint.
24:13Right.
24:13So he was just in his stattered clothes and he went.
24:15And when he was at the doors of the of the big palace, the people at the soldiers there, they asked him to stop.
24:22And he said, this is a big feast for a very big guest of the king.
24:25What are you doing here?
24:26He said, this is for me.
24:27The soldier laughed at him.
24:28And then the saint went back and he wore his golden robes.
24:32And then he came and he was really welcomed.
24:35And then when he was sitting with the king on the on the feast table, he started putting food into his robes and the pockets and the curry into his pocket.
24:43And the king and everybody, the big people, they were really like, what are you doing?
24:47We would really like to know what you're doing with all the respect to him.
24:51He said, you know, it was not me who was invited.
24:54It was my robes.
24:56Oh, wow.
24:57Oh, yeah.
24:58He's feeding the coat.
24:59So and that was a big message.
25:01And it was taken to the people that, you know, you should not judge a book by its cover.
25:06But the reality is that people do judge a book by its cover.
25:09So, yes, money now that I am, I would say a little wiser that it is important, but it should not be something that you put forward as a priority at the expense of your health and your family's health.
25:22It could be mental health.
25:24It could be physical health.
25:25But it is very important to earn money the right way, to be ambitious and money, not only money.
25:33There are a lot of things that you can earn.
25:35You can earn respect.
25:36You can earn your career.
25:37You can earn, you know, there are so many things that you earn with time.
25:40But money, money, I say that it is not something that you should kill for.
25:46Yes, you should have the fire in you.
25:48You should have the ambition in you and keep dreaming, keep working towards it.
25:52But it should not be at the expense of your mental health.
25:55Yeah, and with money as well, you always reach a point where now it's just extra money, right?
26:00How much is it changing your life?
26:02Yeah, how many zeros can you add?
26:04Let's say if you're a millionaire or a billionaire, there comes a point where you need to have certain points in life where you want to help people.
26:15You want to help your family.
26:16You want to work on mental health of yourself, your family, your friends, and then your community gets bigger, you know?
26:23So if you see anybody who has made it in life, I always look up to my, you know, father-in-law and my husband, you know?
26:31But when I look at them, I know I see them so closely.
26:35They did not just land on top of the mountain.
26:37They have worked their way up.
26:39And that work is not just hard work in terms of going to the office and getting the work done.
26:44There is a lot that comes, you know, like taking care of your friends, you know?
26:49As a leader, I say this story a lot of times that Rizwan Sarjan, we live together, okay?
26:54When he wakes up in the morning, he goes to his swimming, he does his yoga, he meets his family, which is us and his mother, who we live together.
27:02Then he goes for his work.
27:04He comes late at night, comes back, has the dinner, or sometimes skips the dinner and goes to meet his friends who are hosting a birthday or a wedding or anything.
27:12So he makes sure that his friends also get their due respect and time.
27:16And then he comes back late in the night and then wakes up early in the morning and then the grind is there.
27:21So it's like the sun, you know?
27:23So the sun is constantly working.
27:24If we can't see also, that sun is working.
27:27So for as an individual as well, I always say that even if you're sleeping, you're sleeping for something good the next day.
27:35You're sleeping to revive yourself, you know?
27:37So if you put that energy in you that you want to be productive in your sleep, you want your body to recover, you want your energy to recover, the next day you will be better and you will perform better, you know?
27:48And that's the example of Rizwan Sarjan that he, and I'm following those footsteps as well, and I have that energy too, that if I'm sleeping, I know that I want to rest now so that my cells recover, my energy recovers.
28:01And tomorrow is a productive day again, and I want to be the best of myself, you know?
28:05So, and that's these energies together, you know, creating your team, caring for your team, caring for your family, your friends, all together, this all counts as your riches.
28:17Oh, yeah.
28:17Oh, wow.
28:17That's incredible.
28:18You mentioned your family quite a lot, which I love, by the way.
28:22But what would you say is the main learning for you?
28:25Let's say, obviously, personally, I'm sure there are many, many, many, but professionally, when you joined this big family business, what was the main learning for you?
28:35Main learning, there are two things really, really important for life, for your, you wouldn't call it success or what, I'd say your relationships and your communication.
28:47In my, the family that I live in, in the leadership that I see and what I follow, not only in my family, but as, you know, leaders of Dubai, you know, it is so important to have the right way of communication and the right time of communication as well.
29:04You know, it is important to act in the right time.
29:06If it is urgent, you do it now.
29:08There are, there are, if you want to make a phone call, if you want to reply to a WhatsApp or an email, you know, you need to give the right time.
29:14If it is emergency, you need to call, you know, so to communicate, it is the strength of a person and to communicate the right way to the right person in the right time.
29:24And of course, this is also related to relationships and maintaining your relationships, that every relationship, you need to give its respect and time to it.
29:37Yeah, wow.
29:38It could be a relationship with your client, it could be with your family, it could be with your friends, it could be with, you know, your team, anybody.
29:45And at any level of the hierarchy, relationship and communication, that's the key.
29:51I love that.
29:51Well, now that we're talking about relationship, this just popped up into my mind, we're going to talk about relationship with yourself now for a minute.
29:58If I were to ask you on a happiness scale from zero to 10, where's Sana today?
30:04Oh, I'm always 10 and above.
30:05Oh, love that.
30:06How?
30:07No, but I have to say this, there are days.
30:09Yes.
30:10It could be related to my hormones, or it could be related to certain challenges in life.
30:15I try to be 10 and above, but it should not go to toxic positivity.
30:20Of course not.
30:20You know, and a lot of times when we post, oh, this and that on positive stuff on Instagram, people don't see that there are challenges that we meet as well.
30:29And every day, every day, we find something or the other as a small or big challenge, you know, it could be just an order waiting to be received.
30:39Yes.
30:39And you get impatient.
30:40Yes.
30:41You know, so self-focus is, as a girl, I say it is really, really important because instinctively, we are givers.
30:50And we find more happiness in giving.
30:53And one of my TED Talks, I also said that charity and loving someone, these are the two most selfish things that we do.
31:00Ooh, let's talk about that.
31:02Yeah, we will come to that.
31:03But happiness and self-focus is so important because as women, we are the backbones of our family, you know.
31:09And if we don't take care of ourselves, who will take care of the others?
31:13Even when you go in an airplane, when they're giving that, you know, emergency talk, they say when there will be an oxygen mask, you put on yourself first and on your child later.
31:24Even in the video, they show that the child also should come later because if you don't have the oxygen, you will not be able to help the other one also.
31:31So there are two people being damaged there.
31:33So if as a woman of the house, as a girl, you know, you need to really, really take care of yourself.
31:38And taking care is, I start with food, food, water and sleep.
31:46I'm not saying you need to sleep 10 hours a day.
31:48I'm not even saying if you don't, if you are not able to sleep eight hours a day, do six hours, but sleep at the right time at the same time every day so that your circadian rhythm comes into place and wake up at the same time.
31:59And that's what is going to set your hormones in place because we are evolved beings, you know, and it's not even a joke when we are a 2.0 version.
32:07Yeah.
32:07Yeah.
32:08And we are not taking care of ourselves.
32:10We are such blessed beings.
32:11We need to take care of ourselves.
32:12And once this is in place, you need to then start working on, let's say, yoga or Pilate or gym.
32:19I say even half an hour of any workout, even if it is brisk walking, you know, if you do that, that another, you know, you've done another box of your thing.
32:28When you're healthy, you perform better at work.
32:32When you perform better at work, you get better money, you get better confidence, you get, you know, everything just starts coming full circle and you come back home happier, you know, so everything starts with your health.
32:46Sometimes people just start buying makeup and just covering things up.
32:51I like a little bit of makeup.
32:53It's nice, you know, but it should not be something as a cover up.
32:56Yes.
32:56You know, you need to be glowing from inside, from your soul.
33:00Okay.
33:00When you're healthy mentally and physically, the glow comes out, the confidence comes out and you're able to help other people as well.
33:07So happiness and self-care is really, really important.
33:09I put it as now my top priority.
33:12I love that.
33:13But when you said sometimes it goes a little bit down, lower than 10, but what is your approach in general with challenges in life whenever there's a challenging part, whether it's personal or professional, how do you deal with it?
33:25So challenges come, different scales, small, big, large, extra large, or extra small.
33:36But you need to see what is the problem.
33:40So in medicine, they teach you a disease diagnosed well is half solved, you know, so your prognosis is half already fixed when you've diagnosed the disease properly.
33:53So if you know what the problem is, so when I face a problem, my first exercise mentally, and now it's a practice, so what is it that I see what is exactly the problem?
34:05And can I define it?
34:06Can I classify it?
34:08You know, and if I need to delegate it to someone, what is it that is needed to do right now?
34:13Sometimes people say, oh, it's easier said than done.
34:17So one of the things one time I faced was my dad, he had an issue, a health issue.
34:23In the night, 3 o'clock, my mom called me and she said, we've called an ambulance.
34:28I jumped.
34:29While I was on the phone, I changed my clothes.
34:31And in the night, 3 o'clock, what do you do?
34:34Adil was not at home, so I don't know what to do.
34:36Okay.
34:37While I was getting out of the car, I called one of my male servants, who I know is a responsible person.
34:42I said, I'm going to my mom's house.
34:44If there is anything, I will call you.
34:46So please keep your phone on.
34:48And one of the nannies, I told the same thing because I need, at least if one will fail, the second one.
34:53Then I called my secretary.
34:54I know she will respond.
34:55I said, this is the emergency.
34:57If needed, I'll call you.
34:58She said, okay.
35:00On the way, because there was no other male person, I called one of my relatives because I know he would respond.
35:05You know, you need to have your brains, your head on your shoulder even in emergencies.
35:09Yeah, you need to be able to think, right?
35:10Because I'm speeding.
35:11I need to keep my cameras also.
35:13And I should not be jumping a radar and, you know, stuff like that.
35:17In time, I was there.
35:19The ambulance had reached.
35:20I had reached.
35:21Luckily, nothing was such a big damage, but he was taken to the hospital and everything.
35:26But I was really proud of myself that I had my head on shoulders and I was not bawling on the way or something like that.
35:33You were cool, yeah.
35:33So that was the thing that proved to myself that my head will be on my shoulders in any emergency.
35:39So it is so important in any kind of issue that you face that you need to know what is the problem
35:45and what are the steps you need to do in that moment to solve it.
35:48And then you see later on what you can do and furthermore, you know, so that, okay, my dad needs to take care of himself
35:56and the diet and gym and this and that, what all.
35:59But you need to know in that moment what you need to do and what are the following steps.
36:04I try to do that.
36:07I like that.
36:07So just like keeping your emotions under control while you're dealing with the problem.
36:12Yes.
36:12And I think that's the challenge that most people struggle with, including me, right?
36:15And whenever something goes wrong, the emotions start to come out.
36:18It's a practice.
36:20Yeah.
36:20Everything in our body is a muscle, including our emotions.
36:24Yes.
36:25And as much as like, just like gym, you cannot go and lift 25 kgs of a dumbbell on the first day.
36:31At least not most of the people, right?
36:33So you build up your strength, you build up your activity and your body starts getting acquainted to it
36:39and start practicing and your muscles start getting that memory and you strengthen yourself.
36:43The same way your mind, you need to practice things in every smaller things.
36:47You know, it's like if you're in a traffic jam and somebody is cutting you,
36:52you should not be, you know, swearing at that person.
36:55It's okay.
36:56He's not going to really fly away.
36:58It's okay.
36:59Maybe he's facing some issues personally.
37:01Exactly.
37:02Let him take over.
37:03How much are you going to, you know, go across?
37:05How much delay are you getting?
37:05Yeah.
37:05Having said that, it is so important to draw a fine line that you are understanding,
37:13but you should not be treated as a doormat.
37:15Yes.
37:16Yeah.
37:16So when you people, there are a lot of times that people start treating you as a doormat,
37:20taking you as for granted.
37:22Because when we say these things that, oh, you should understand the other,
37:25women take it to another extreme.
37:27Yes.
37:27Coming back and striking a balance.
37:29No, you don't need to go into any extreme.
37:31Just stay in moderation.
37:33You need to respect other people while other people also respect you.
37:37Of course.
37:37Yeah.
37:37So it's all about practice.
37:39Okay.
37:40So there are two things that I want to talk to you about.
37:42But before I forget, you mentioned that your TED Talk addressed charity being one of the selfish
37:49things.
37:49Please tell us more about that.
37:51Oh, I love this.
37:55Okay.
37:55When you give, let's say, 10 dirhams to somebody that, okay, you go have tea.
38:01Yes.
38:02That person will smile at you.
38:04But honestly, search in your heart that when you're giving charity to somebody, okay,
38:10be it 10 dirhams or 20 dirhams or 20,000 dirhams, you are giving it because you feel nice.
38:15Of course.
38:16At the end of the day.
38:17Yeah.
38:17Okay.
38:17So I feel that I'm doing a very selfish deed, but it is for good.
38:22And I encourage people to selfish in that, be selfish in that way, because you are creating
38:29a happiness quotient there.
38:32You are making the other person happy.
38:34You're making yourself happy.
38:35And this is how you're going to multiply the happiness.
38:37And you raise the happiness quotient in your family, in your surroundings, in your community,
38:42in your city.
38:42And I say that in Dubai, it's similar that, you know, things start getting easier.
38:48If you see people, when they come to Dubai, they get the Dubai vibe and they start getting
38:51more chill, more happy, more helping, more respectful.
38:54So that's what, when you're doing something, you're not doing it for the other person.
38:58You're doing it for yourself.
39:00And I encourage people to be selfish like that.
39:02That's a beautiful way of being selfish.
39:05You know, I don't know, have you watched Friends?
39:06Yeah.
39:07Because Joey also says something similar where he's like, even when it's a birthday, when
39:11you're buying a present, you're celebrating someone else.
39:13You do it because you feel good, because you've done something for someone else.
39:16So true.
39:17But it is a beautiful thing at the end of the day.
39:19So it doesn't matter that it is selfish.
39:21But one thing, going back to the conversation we were having, I would love for you to share the
39:25bison story to my audience as well, please, if you can tell us that.
39:28Yeah, it is one of my favorite stories and a bison or a bull, that's what, how people
39:33understand it, right?
39:34So the story of a bison or a bull, when there is a snowstorm, a bison goes head up into those
39:40snowstorms.
39:41Why?
39:42Because they instinctively know that when they face the storm, they will get out of it faster.
39:48The more you run away from it, the more it will follow you.
39:51So I definitely believe in facing your challenges in life and getting done with them.
39:56Yeah, the shortest way is through, basically.
40:00I love that.
40:01Okay, final part of our chat today.
40:04So I would say that if we obviously are very happy to have you here, part of the podcast,
40:10but if you had to celebrate a woman in your life, who would it be?
40:14Oh, there are so many women I celebrate.
40:17I celebrate every woman in my life, you know, it is because everyone brings their own lesson
40:24to me and they teach me something or the other in their own way.
40:29But if I have to pick one right now, I would celebrate one of my nannies.
40:35She's really, really amazing.
40:36I love the way she takes care of my child as her own.
40:41And, you know, she just has said it so many times that I don't have one child.
40:45I have three kids.
40:47And, you know, she counts my kids as her own.
40:49But, you know, she doesn't say it to make me feel better.
40:52I have seen her as not just a staff member, but now as my family member.
40:57How she takes care of, she loves me, she loves my kids and how she's a team player
41:05and she's not even, you know, studied anything in management, but she's able to manage things.
41:11And she's living far away from her family and she's managing over there her family as well.
41:16You know, I really salute her and I really love her.
41:19So I would right now celebrate her.
41:21Oh, I hope this message gets to her because that's beautiful.
41:24And for you, we have a little bouquet to say a huge thank you.
41:30And there's a card in it from the previous guest that wrote you a little message.
41:33Oh, wow.
41:34And now you get to write the message for the next guest.
41:37Thank you so much.
41:38I love this.
41:38This is such a beautiful color.
41:40Oh, yeah, it is, isn't it?
41:42And these flowers are from Les Fleurs de Jojo.
41:45So thank you for sending that to us.
41:47Thank you so much.
41:48No, thank you.
41:48No, and now if you have any parting thoughts to share with us, anything you want to share,
41:54before we wrap up?
41:57There are a few things, a few points, I would say for everyone, be it a man or a woman.
42:03It is very important to keep dreaming.
42:07And it is very, very important to keep your bucket list.
42:10I say it on repeat.
42:12You do not have to keep it time bound, but keep your bucket list alive.
42:16So that's how you achieve more and you become larger than life.
42:19Oh, wow.
42:20And what's the next thing on your bucket list?
42:22Oh, you know, more than individual achievements now, I feel like empowering other people.
42:31And that's what's next on my bucket list that I want to encourage people to dream and help
42:37them achieve their dreams.
42:39And one of the things that I have been working on is getting a school to educate children
42:44who cannot afford it.
42:46And it's work in progress.
42:47It's been a while now.
42:49It's been a year that we're working on it.
42:50I hope that it comes to our reality.
42:52That's one of my dreams that I think that's top right now.
42:56Amazing.
42:56Well, based on everything we've heard, I know you're going to make it happen.
42:59I hope so.
43:00Fingers crossed.
43:00Of course.
43:01And we're excited to see what else you do, Sanam.
43:03But thank you so much for being here today.
43:05And it was a lovely conversation.
43:07Thank you so much.
43:07It was fantastic being here.
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