We all have our passions. They
define us. We live with them so closely that despite those mundane choices life
throws at us, they determine what we do and what we commit ourselves to. True,
along the way we have to make decisions which don’t always conform to what we
like, but those passions of ours survive even through them. Mahika Chandrasena,
Director of Marketing Communications at Galle Face Hotel, clearly has
understood the importance of all this. She talked to ESTEEM. She reflected. We
listened.
To start things off, how would
you describe a typical day at work?
Sure.
First of all, I follow a critical path embracing and integrating a wide range
of activities. I plan, schedule, and document. Given the nature of this
industry we are in, however, there can be one-off ad hoc requests which crop
up. We have to deal with them as and when we encounter them. So yes, all in all
a typical day is routine for me. It’s also fun.
What do you think is the biggest challenge
for someone in your line of work?
To be
honest, there are five big challenges and it’s hard to list them in any order.
They are
- The global financial crisis, which basically hits our customers in a way that makes over the top expenditure a waste sometimes,
- Competition, which compels us to slash our rates to attract customers sustaining a minimum base,
- Differentiating this hotel from the rest by creating new product offerings,
- Widening the range of activities our customers can look out for, and
- Keeping a tab on social media to ensure that our image isn’t affected and to update ourselves on the latest trends in the industry.
How do you engage with all these?
By being
resilient. By facing the drastic changes this world is facing. By focusing on
technology and innovation. And by finding the right talent to fit the right
role.
In this industry you have to meet
a lot of people and meet a lot of deadlines. How do you manage all that?
Simple.
I consider everything I’ve encountered in my career so far as a choice, a
decision, or an opportunity. On the other hand I always choose in favour of my
passions. How does that work out? Well, when I do that, my interests become an
integral part of the choices and decisions I make and the opportunities I see
in everything. Not that I have the same interests all the time, but while interests
may change passions don’t. That is how I look at life and how I look at others,
so much so that I delegate work to my team members knowing what each of their
passions are.
How did you get into this
industry?
I chose
travel and tourism because I felt that it ran in my veins. So from the
beginning, I placed value on my education and learnt about hospitality, travel,
and tourism as much as I could. In fact both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees are
from these areas. I came into the hospitality sector later, after much
soul-seeking.
That’s
tough. I admit I haven’t been able to strike out a perfect balance. I think we
focus our energy on balance too much, besides. We should be more concerned
about prioritising, on inculcating patience, on being perseverant, and on
inculcating faith in what we do. It’s then that we realise that life is more
than just being a workaholic. It’s about being passionate, about discovering
self and exploring the many facets life opens to you. I sport a motto wherever
I am: Love what you do and do what you love. I follow it to the best of my
abilities. I haven’t failed.
Time for some out of the blue questions. Who are your top three role models?
Firstly,
Erin Brockovich. I consider her to be a modern-day David who loves a good fight and has a good fight with today’s Goliaths. She thrives on being a voice for those who can’t yell.
She is a rebel. A fighter. A mother. A woman. In short, me.
Secondly,
Leigh Anne Tuohoy. She reminds me of my mother: she inspires you but then she
can be a firecracker too. She had a career but focused her energies on finding
Michael Oher a home. Strong-willed she was, wore different hats, and didn’t
limit herself to being only a mother and nurturer but also a wife and
housekeeper who went out there and worked. Her words of wisdom are: I’m not a
big women’s liberation person, but I do think that women have to contribute to
all aspects in society.
Thirdly,
Chris Gardner, the Founder and CEO of Gardner Rich and Co. He represents to me
a true rags-to-riches saga. A person who journeyed through sadness, tragedy,
grief, and happiness, who obtained strength to continue what he did and went on
to be the success he is today.
If you could go back in time,
what period would you go to?
Not that
far. I’d say 2013 and 2014, because I wish I were more spiritual and wiser then.
You have three wishes. What are
they?
Firstly,
that I had another child in 2005, since that would have changed my life today.
Secondly, that I see my son through College so that he has a career he can be
passionate about to look forward to and so that he can be a happy and spiritual
father. And thirdly, that I become more spiritual and that I inculcate more
patience.
What are your current plans and
what are your (not so distant) future plans?
I plan
to enjoy life to the fullest and do good deeds unto God and then see my son
derive happiness from whatever he does.
Any words of wisdom or points to
ponder, looking back?
Yes.
Respect yourself enough to walk away from ANYTHING that no longer makes you
joyful. Happiness isn’t a destination you reach at the end, but a way of life
that colours the moment. Remember that.
Written for: ESTEEM Magazine, August issue
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