Meet Khadija Idrissi Janati. She’s a multi-careerist based in Morocco. We met at the Harvard Kennedy School as part of an executive education program offered by the World Economic Forum. She’s has a fascinating and eclectic story.

Khadija’s Careers

• Entrepreneur

• CEO

• Public Affairs Specialist

• Civil Society Activist

On her motivations for having many careers

The will to create impact and leave a legacy. The belief that a human life is worth living only if it brings daily new experiences. The continuous search for new connections and synergies. The magic feeling of seeing new things happen and be part of it.

On how long she’s had these careers

More than 10 years.

Advice to aspiring multi-careerists

Go ahead. Sky is the limit! Practice only what you are passionate about and what gives you a feeling of satisfaction.

On overcoming obstacles

Some feeling would appear from time to time like:

• Lack of time or / and energy

• Feeling to be overwhelmed by too many things happening at the same time and creating some kind of noise

• Impression of being lost, and losing the direction

I usually overcome this but stepping back and remembering my PURPOSE! my DRIVER!

On how multiple careers are beneficial

Learnings, synergies, network and connections, better understanding of many things.

On personal time

Presenting this as a asset rather than a liability. Explaining that I became the person they like / move thanks to these multiple careers.

Encouraging my entourage to try the same if possible to make them feel / share my feelings

On what she wishes she had learned earlier

No matter how different the careers can seem, each one would fit into the other through the learnings and lessons

On what to read

My favorite reading are about understanding one’s psychology and how to listen to their heart / intuition.

My last light yet interesting reading is INTUITIO by Laurent Gounelle.

I also love listening to unconventional TedX talks.

On the stigma of having many careers

Some think that I am lost. Others think that I am multiplying careers because I am not successful in what I do. Yet others would even state that they follow but can’t really understand what I do.

I overcome this by not taking it personally 🙂

If they are lost, that means that I am not making things clear.

So either I clarify, if I want? Or I just don’t.

On what to share with others

With experience, I’ve learnt that everyone is not supposed to know everything I do.

I would then only share what is needed or what is relevant to the person / the situation / the context.

On sublimating ego

So true. Performing basic tasks keeps me grounded!

Where to find Khadija

• LinkedIn

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Kabir Sehgal is a Multi Grammy & Latin Grammy Award winner, as well as New York Times bestselling author.
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