where necessary. Since completing my MBA, I’ve developed sharper people skills – including leadership and negotiating skills – and have gained a more holistic picture of the business side of the industry.” One thing Jakoet quickly had to learn to deal with is other people’s opinions about a Muslim woman working in two industries that are still seen as the domain of males. “Sometimes I wonder how I would cope in a female dominated environment, after all these years in male dominated environments!” she says. “The way I deal with prejudgements of me

as a Muslim woman has become so automatic that I don’t even think about it anymore. It’s about attitude and how you see yourself: if you’re not confident, people will step all over you, whether you’re a man or a woman. Pilots have a saying: ‘Your attitude determines your altitude.’ Whatever your attitude, that’s where you’ll find yourself.” Her mantra when she encounters prejudice

is: “Accept that you cannot control or change someone’s opinions; you can merely influence them.” True to her knowledge thirsty spirit, Jakoet already has her eye on her next goal. “I’m four months into a year long NLP (neuro- linguistic programming) course, and hope to use the knowledge I’m acquiring to help me start an initiative aimed at mentoring young South Africans interested in careers in aviation.” For now, it’s time to go: she’s flying CPT-JNB- DBN- JNB-CPT tomorrow and has to get some good rest in. You won’t hear any complaints from Jakoet, though. “I dreamed about doing this and sometimes still can’t believe I get to fly a Boeing. I’m doing what I love and I love what I’m doing!” Things I’ve learned ... Fatima Jakoet shares tips from her experience as a crime scene investigator, a pilot and an MBA student ... from crime scene investigations: “Something that might seem quite ordinary can be a breakthrough and essential in solving a crime (or a business problem). “When you start out in a career, pace

Fatima Jakoet, a pilot on South African Airways, behind the controls of an SAA Boeing.

yourself. This is the time to acquire the essential skills you’ll need to get where you want to be ... from piloting aeroplanes: “Eat your elephant bit by bit. When you are unsure about the direction in which you’re headed or when that mountain seems too big, proceed slowly by taking small steps. “Remain flexible and be willing to make some compromises along the way. Life’s too short not to have fun. Have fun while making your dream a reality. “...

August 2011 | Management Today 61