Olive Saidi: Executive assistant to the British High Commissioner

She has risen through the ranks from a mere cleaner to become executive assistant to the British High Commissioner and his deputy. Her is a tale of humble beginnings from a position many would not vie for. Olive Saidi has delivered, impressed and recognised. She tells EW her tale.
_________________________

Tell me about yourself
My name is Olive Saidi and I was born in 1981 in Lilongwe to Hamilton Simwaka and late Elizabeth Simwaka. I also grew up in Lilongwe. I am married to Sam Saidi, have three children Enesh (10), Tiffany (six) and Jeremy (three)

What is your education background?
I did my education at Chilinde Primary School in Lilongwe and St Joseph Primary School in Zomba. My secondary education was completed at Mulunguzi Secondary School in the same district.

What sort of upbringing did you have?
My parents divorced when I was very young and I grew up with my step mother. Unlike the horror stories you hear about step mothers, my step mother has been a pillar in my life and she has been very supportive in every area of my life and I owe a lot to her love and guidance. I was raised together with a brother and four sisters. Unfortunately, one my sisters passed on. It was a good family life and very supportive of each other.

When did you join the British High Commission?
I joined the British High Commission in September 2000, just soon after completing my secondary school. A friend of mine was already working at the commission and told me that there was a vacancy and I should apply for, which I did although, I must admit, didn’t expect to be picked.

How has working there been?
Working at the High Commission has been a journey of changes and discovery. It has been exciting and at the same time a journey of growth. I have been led by the Lord’s grace that has been abundant to me.

Please tell me how you rose through the ranks to where you are now?
The vacancy that I mentioned earlier was for a part time cleaner and so I started as a part-time cleaner and worked in that position for two years. Thereafter, I worked as a receptionist/personal assistant to the regional medical officer for some years and then moved to the main reception as a receptionist for the High Commission. From this position, I was promoted to the position of programmes officer. It is from this position that as of November this year I was appointed as executive assistant to the British High Commissioner Michael Nevin and Deputy High Commissioner Martin Scales.

How do you feel about your achievement?
It is humbling. From a part time cleaner to an executive assistant to the British High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner. I see the hand of God in this whole journey and I am humbled to have been so favoured. I am also abundantly thankful to the Biritsh High Commissioner Mr Nevin for his faith in me and for making me believe in myself that I have what it takes to deliver in my new position. It is a pleasure to work with and for him and Mr Scales.

What inspires you?
Women of my age who have done great things in their careers, despite the odds against them and despite where they are starting from. These are women who are making a difference to the society.
It is not every day that you come across such recognition. What is your secret to success?
A positive attitude towards every opportunity, willingness to learn and a thick skin to take positive criticism. I also believe that if life gives you lemons, make lemonade! And of course I believe that with God, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

What have been your challenges?
I have not really had major challenges. I am privileged to work in an environment where there is team work, support and my superiors motivate me.

What is your advice to other women?
Let’s work hard and make the world a better place for everyone especially those of us who are privileged to be in positions and have resources to do so.

Any last comments?
Identify your big wins for the day. Being busy doesn’t equal being productive. But unfortunately, so many people mistake having a full calendar with doing things that actually matter.   How many times have you laid down at night, exhausted from all the stuff you did, but still feel unfulfilled because none of the ‘stuff’ you did was important? You just woke up and started working without any real plan of what you should be working on.
When you wake up in the morning, before you do anything else, you need to figure out what it is you should be doing. What are the three to four things, that if you got done, would provide the most value in your life? What few things would move the needle the most? The trick is, you have to answer this question constistently.