Hailing from the Pakistan, Hira Ali is an executive coach residing in London who embraces her background and identity.
Throughout her career, she’s taken conscious steps to further her education and become a better coach. With a newly discovered love for writing she’s now also a published author.
Read the conversation between The Diverse Executive Coaching Directory (DECD) and Hira Ali to explore her full life journey into coaching.
DECD: What was your very first job?
Hira: My first job was as a Junior Manager of Human Resources at Muller & Phipps, a multinational distribution company in Karachi, Pakistan. I secured this role while pursuing my Master’s degree in Human Resources.
DECD: What inspired you to become a coach?
Hira: I have been coaching team members and colleagues for as long as I can remember. But while working in Dubai, I realised a professional qualification might help me hone my skills. And then, in 2014, my father suddenly passed away; it was a difficult time for me as I managed to cope with the emotions of loss and anger. During that time, I came across Mind Bridge, a company based in the US that offers a dual certification for NLP and coaching, and I decided it would be an excellent time to go for it. After the qualification, I moved to London, where I continued to build on my coaching hours and became accredited as an ACC in 2018 and PCC in 2022.
DECD: As a coach what led you to specialise in the particular area that you concentrate on (eg. leadership, personal development etc)
Hira: Since the start of my career, leadership development and career coaching has been an area of keen interest. Not only was I passionate about it, but from various reviews from the people I coached and trained, I gauged I was also good at it. Since then, a significant portion of my career has been dedicated to helping develop leadership potential so my clients can become the best version of themselves.
DECD: What is the most interesting part of your work?
Hira: I enjoy the opportunity to adapt and relate to individuals from diverse backgrounds, intellectually and emotionally. I get to be empathetic, but I also do not shy away from difficult and crucial conversations that challenge perceptions and question the status quo. As a Muslim, immigrant woman of colour, I understand the lived experiences of fellow group members. And yet, as an ex-pat who hasn’t always resided in the UK, I also have a unique “outsider’s” lens that enables me to consider challenges from a fresh, more impartial point of view. My experience in the women’s and ethnic leadership space across various countries also gives me a more diverse and holistic perspective that can lend gender and intersectional insights into my work and make it even more enjoyable. I find sharing these experiences through writing and speaking the most exciting part of my work.
DECD: What is the one project/case that you’re most proud of in your career and why?
Hira: have a lot to be grateful for, but if I had to choose one, it would be becoming a published author with a global outreach.
DECD: What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in today’s society?
Hira: In my career, which spans over 17 years, I have seen a dramatic shift in this space. People are learning to embrace difficult conversations and broach topics ordinarily considered uncomfortable. Several movements like #metoo and #blm have changed the face of the conversation and accelerated the pace. However, we still have a long way to go. Non-performative allyship, belongingness and psychological safety are still largely missing in many organisations. Though the needle has certainly moved, we must collectively push forward for more visible, meaningful, and sustainable change.
DECD: What about your heritage makes you feel proud?
Hira: My language, Urdu, has been called one of the most beautiful and sophisticated languages spoken worldwide. Also, our food, clothes, family values, festivals and the warmth and hospitality of the people from my heritage.
DECD: What do you do outside of work?
Hira: I enjoy cooking, listening to music, swimming, event planning, hosting, listening to music and interior decorating.
DECD: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read this week?
Hira: I have started reading Michelle Obama’s book- The light we carry- and I am finding it enjoyable.
DECD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Hira: To start writing, and more specifically, to write a book! Writing has been a transformational and rewarding experience for me.
DECD: What is your favourite movie, book, song, album or quote?
Hira: Movie: Quite a few so difficult to name anyone, but one series I enjoyed watching the most recently is Ms Marvel.
Book: The Alchemist
Song: Try everything by Shakira in Zootopia, I am Alive by Celine Dion
Album: A Different Beat 1996
Quote: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.”
― Henry Ford
Interested in working with Hira? Find out more about Hira’s professional coaching career here
