Level up with Hakim

SummaryIn this episode of "Level Up" Hakim interviews John McDonald, a remarkable figure whose journey spans engineering, leadership, and personal transformation. John reflects on his early fascination with electricity, which began in sixth grade when he taught himself to solder and fix electronics. His passion for engineering led him to Purdue University, where a pivotal meeting with Professor Ahmed El Abiad set the course for his career in power engineering. John shares how this mentorship shaped his path and instilled in him the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent in others, a theme that resonates throughout his professional life. John discusses his commitment to lifelong learning and personal health. At the age of 59, he embarked on a journey to improve his fitness, inspired by his children. This transformation not only led him to win 5K races but also reinforced his belief that it’s never too late to make significant changes in life. Chapters00:00 Introduction to John McDonald02:22 Early Fascination with Electricity07:59 A Defining Moment at Purdue12:04 The Importance of Mentorship19:37 Understanding the Business Side of Engineering26:20 Leadership in IEEE and Giving Back33:37 Transforming Health at 5941:31 Winning 5K Races and Personal Growth45:41 What Does Level Up Mean?47:44 Untitled design.mp4About the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Connect with John   https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndougmcdonald/ LinkedinListen to Level up with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/5u2m...

SummaryIn this conversation, Hakim and Pedro Joaquin Arceyut Araya delve into the complexities of luxury hospitality, exploring themes such as the pressure of managing multiple outlets, the importance of guest experience, and the role of leadership in fostering high-performance teams. Pedro shares his journey from engineering to hospitality, emphasizing the significance of emotional connections and the evolving definition of luxury. The discussion also highlights the impact of technology on enhancing guest experiences and the necessity of maintaining quality standards across diverse venues.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Luxury Hospitality Challenges02:08 The Journey to Hospitality: From Engineering to Culinary Arts04:31 Overcoming Early Struggles in a New Environment06:35 Learning Through Experience: The Importance of Self-Management09:36 Crisis Management: Turning Challenges into Opportunities15:46 Managing Multiple Outlets: The Art of Delegation and Standards19:50 Pressure and Expectations in Luxury Hospitality23:11 Building Successful Outlets: The Foundation of Hospitality Management23:46 Creating a Culinary Ecosystem27:37 Building Multi-Venue Strategies31:01 Hiring for High Performance in F&B36:46 The Evolution of Leadership in Hospitality38:09 Defining Honest Luxury41:44 The Role of Technology in Hospitality43:49 Personal Evolution and Leveling Up46:13 Untitled design.mp4About the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Connect with Pedrohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pedroarceyut007/ Linkedin Listen to Level up with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/5u2m2nTiqAjepUpRTo6wKL?si=7mP9nHGVQKiRSJvtIqWnqAApple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

Summary Most healthcare leaders overlook the real power of strategic trust and adaptability—until it’s too late. Brian Rijet, a seasoned healthcare IT executive, reveals how honesty, cultural agility, and relentless learning are the secrets to building fast, lasting relationships in high-stakes environments. If you're stepping into leadership or navigating complex partnerships, this episode is your blueprint to transforming challenges into growth opportunities.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Brian Rijet's Journey02:39 Early Career and Transition to Healthcare Technology05:13 The Shift to Client-Facing Roles and Building Trust07:34 Leadership Influences and Personal Growth12:27 Aligning Clinical Outcomes with IT and Commercial Goals14:56 The Future of Healthcare Technology17:11 AI's Impact on Jobs in Healthcare19:29 Advice for the Next Generation in Healthcare22:16 Balancing Work and Family Life About the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Brian Raggett Linkedin   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianraggett/Listen to Level up with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vaq...

What does true leadership and resilience look like in a world driven by high stakes, relentless pressure, and constant change? Fadi unlocks the secrets to forging an unstoppable mindset, built on discipline, authenticity, and a fearless embrace of risk. From humble beginnings working at age 14 to leading diverse teams across continents, he reveals how resilience, balance, and self-made effort shape success.Chapters00:00 - Introducing Fadi: Resilience, Leadership, and Mindset01:14 - The Impact of Early Struggles on Personal Growth03:35 - Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Success05:05 - Overcoming the Timeline to Graduation and Persistence08:43 - Cultivating a Resilient Mindset During Tough Days11:43 - Taking Calculated Risks for Happiness and Success13:32 - Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone14:25 - Leadership Rooted in Consistency, Trust, and Action17:11 - Leading by Example and Integrity19:51 - When to Push Versus Support Team Members22:53 - Qualities Essential for Future Leaders: Empathy and Excellence27:00 - Physical Activities That Release Stress and Boost Focus29:02 - Decision-Making Under Pressure: Staying Calm and Focused31:08 - How Pressure Reveals True Character35:36 - Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Passions39:23 - Advice for Young Professionals to Excel44:09 - What Living Up Means to Fadi: Leveling Up Through Experience46:17 - Final Thoughts: Stay Ambitious, Authentic, and Always Keep LearningAbout the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Fadi Cherfane Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/fadi-cherfane-44b85916/Listen to Level up with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vaq...Apple Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-hakim/id1872491718Amazon musichttps://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/8864be9e-558a-4632-94b2-6b121a5d7ebf/level-up-with-hakim

SummaryIn this episode of Level Up, Hakim Omar interviews Jae Zayed, Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Southwest General Health Center. They discuss the intersection of technology and healthcare, exploring digital transformation, leadership, and innovation. Jae shares insights from his journey in healthcare IT, emphasizing the importance of human connection and technology's role in improving patient care.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:03:00 Jae Zayed's Journey into Healthcare IT00:09:00 Digital Transformation in Healthcare00:15:00 Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare00:21:00 Future of Healthcare and TechnologyAbout the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Listen to Levelup with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vaqhttps://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGctaFluS0dKSVpHT21zQ1VVUk42YUJTMGxKZ3xBQ3Jtc0trV0NJNkxWM2MtalZkT3hvWkNzN2ZwemxyTEhNaFdDaGxuLXBHOFlxMlZDTUY0Y182dVZWNXNSc2Ztd1MzVFkwRW9PSU9obVZtTWhrV3k0QVV5NUZBQThUX1BPZTFGVWZTY1BuSi1RM21QV1dTM29uRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F4vaqJLMbhmZKzeTCq44nPB%3Fsi%3DpT-E2mzxTn-0xWRLIT6NvA&v=NCRxqmYHi9s

SummaryIn this live episode from Sneakerness Amsterdam, hosts Sergio and Matthijs founders of Sneakerness to discuss the evolution of Sneakerness from a small gathering to a global sneaker culture movement. They share their personal journeys, the challenges faced in building a brand, and the impact of COVID-19 on the sneaker event industry.The conversation highlights the importance of community, passion, and adaptability in the face of setbacks, as well as their future plans for expansion and the ongoing evolution of sneaker culture.00:00 The Origins of Sneakerness03:06 Building a Brand from Passion05:58 The Growth of a Global Movement09:04 Challenges and Setbacks in Scaling12:08 Navigating the Post-COVID Landscape15:07 The Future of Sneaker Culture17:58 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneurstakeawaysSergio's passion for sneakers began at a young age.Matthijs was involved in street culture, including graffiti and DJing.Sneakerness started as a solution to the problem of fake sneakers.The brand grew organically without external investment.Community trust was built through real, offline events.The importance of visual identity in establishing brand trust.COVID-19 posed significant challenges for the event industry.The sneaker culture is evolving and maturing post-COVID.Future plans include expanding to South America.Passion and community are key to successful entrepreneurship.About the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond.💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar.Listen to Levelup with Hakim on spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4vaq...Sneakernesshttps://youtu.be/U7slF9Cc1xM?si=1hc9GNwaPRi5X48FMatthjishttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthijsvandermeulen/Sergiohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sergio-muster-a9139333/

In this episode, I interviewed Mike Pomerance, a seasoned leader in healthcare innovation. I discussed Mike's journey from his early career influences to his leadership style, emphasizing emotional intelligence and the importance of team dynamics. Mike shares insights on Six Sigma, the challenges of implementing technology in healthcare, and the cultural differences in leadership across regions. The conversation also touches on the significance of happiness in the workplace, the lessons learned from failures, and valuable advice for entrepreneurs.00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Healthcare Innovation01:37 Early Influences and Career Beginnings03:47 Leadership Philosophy and Emotional Intelligence06:31 Understanding Six Sigma and Problem Solving08:19 Lessons from Failure and Personal Growth11:35 Daily Life of a Leader and Availability14:49 Cultural Differences in Leadership16:37 Creating a Culture of Excellence20:52 The Future of Healthcare Technology24:37 Driving Innovation in Healthcare29:22 The Importance of Communication32:42 The Future of Healthcare Technology35:11 Lessons from Leadership Challenges39:44 Defining Success and Happiness43:33 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursAbout the Show* What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond. 💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar. Hakim Omar   / hakimomar   Listen to Levelup with Hakim at https://open.spotify.com/show/65D40dy...

summaryIn this engaging conversation, Hakim Omar interviews Mounir Biba, a world champion athlete and entrepreneur, exploring the intersection of sports, mindset, and resilience. Mounir shares his journey from a young dreamer to a successful competitor, emphasizing the importance of hard work, self-teaching, and the evolution of breaking as a sport. The discussion highlights the challenges athletes face, the duality of being an athlete and an entrepreneur, and the mindset required to succeed in both realms.takeawaysMounir Biba is a world champion athlete and entrepreneur.The journey of an athlete involves both physical and mental challenges.Mindset plays a crucial role in achieving success.Resilience is key to overcoming obstacles in sports.Self-teaching is essential for athletes in breaking.The influence of early experiences shapes an athlete's path.Hard work often outweighs natural talent in competition.The evolution of breaking has changed athletes' lifestyles.Athletes must adapt to new training methods to succeed.Winning titles requires a combination of talent and hard work. About the Show What does it really take to level up your career, business, and life today? I ask the people actually doing it. Level Up with Hakim dives into the real stories, strategies, and mindset shifts behind growth in business, hospitality, travel, and beyond. Each episode features candid conversations with commercial leaders, founders, creators, athletes, and industry experts who have built careers, brands, and teams in the real world—not just on paper. We unpack sales and business development, partnerships, leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal performance, but also the human side: resilience, self-belief, failure, starting over, and staying hungry. You’ll hear unfiltered insights, hard-earned lessons, and practical tactics you can apply the same day—whether you’re growing a team, a business, or yourself. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. 💬 If an episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. ⭐ Leave a review—your feedback helps us bring on more powerful voices and keep raising the bar. Connect with Mounir Biba https://www.linkedin.com/in/mounir-biba/ Connect with Hakim Omar https://www.linkedin.com/in/hakimomar/ Listen to Levelup with Hakim at https://open.spotify.com/show/65D40dyTOSM2nNaa9GfBUa?si=663504ce1a4c477a

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Neely Khan, founder of AWC, discusses the evolution of storytelling in business, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the integration of AI in the creative process.She shares insights on common mistakes brands make in storytelling, the balance between AI and human connection, and her personal journey as an entrepreneur. Neri also reflects on the significance of purpose and spirituality in her life, offering valuable advice for startups and the future of storytelling.TakeawaysNeely Khan is redefining storytelling in the hospitality industry.Authenticity in storytelling is crucial for brand connection.AI can enhance storytelling but should not replace human creativity.Common mistakes in storytelling include focusing too much on the brand itself.Understanding your audience is key to effective storytelling.The future of storytelling involves a blend of AI and human emotion.Self-doubt is a common experience for entrepreneurs.Finding a greater purpose can help overcome challenges.Spirituality and gratitude play a significant role in personal growth.Leveling up means focusing on self-growth and authenticity.TitlesRedefining Storytelling in BusinessThe Intersection of AI and CreativityChapters00:00 Introduction to Neri Khan and AWC02:58 The Evolution of Storytelling in Business05:44 Authenticity in Storytelling for Hospitality08:43 Common Mistakes in Brand Storytelling11:47 Building a Brand: First Steps for Startups14:51 The Role of AI in Storytelling17:41 Balancing AI and Human Emotion in Storytelling33:49 Harnessing AI for Personal Growth38:55 Balancing AI and Human Connection43:46 Navigating Self-Doubt in Entrepreneurship49:06 Finding Purpose in Adversity52:43 The Role of Faith in Resilience54:51 Literary Inspirations for Growth57:08 Learning from Mistakes01:00:06 Defining Personal Growth and Success

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Is your team check-in still meaningful — or just a box-ticking exercise? In this episode of Level Up with Hakim, I sit down with Isabelle Smit for a powerful and honest conversation about leadership, psychological safety, hospitality culture, and what teams truly need today. We dive into: 🔹 How to create real, human check-ins (not box ticking) 🔹 Why psychological safety is the foundation of performance 🔹 Building trust and space for your team to speak openly 🔹 Leadership behaviours that actually drive growth 🔹 The future of hospitality teams and team culture 🔹 Isabelle’s personal experiences and lessons from the industry This episode is packed with 👇 Let me know in the comments: Do you run meaningful check-ins… or just tick boxes? — Follow the Level Up Journey: 🔗 LinkedIn: Hakim Omar 🔗 Instagram/TikTok: @levelupwithhakim 🔗 Business Inquiries: Bond'nBuild (Sales & Business Development Consultancy)

summary In this engaging conversation, Hakim and Kristin Amadou explore the vital themes of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and the human element in business. Kristin shares her vision for a sustainable future, her journey as a catalyst for change, and the importance of transforming mindsets within organizations. We discussed the misconceptions surrounding sustainability in business, the role of technology, and the need for accountability and transparency in leadership. Kristin emphasizes the significance of collaboration and the human aspect in driving purpose-driven growth, ultimately inspiring listeners to become future makers themselves. Chapters 00:00 Envisioning a Sustainable Future 03:03 The Journey to Entrepreneurship 06:00 Transforming Organizational Mindsets 08:49 The Role of Leadership in Sustainability 11:46 Navigating Change in Established Companies 14:53 The Human Element in Business 17:48 Misconceptions About Sustainability 20:36 Creating Impact in Sustainability Roles 23:37 The Hospitality Industry's Sustainability Challenge 26:22 Transforming Business in the Middle East and Beyond 30:01 The Future Makers Mindset 32:23 Strategic Doing in Sustainability 35:15 Facilitating Change in Organizations 39:44 The Role of Technology and AI in Sustainability 44:28 Personal Principles and Activism 49:52 Leveling Up: Accountability and Transparency Kristin Amadon Strategic Business Development | FutureMaker https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-amadon-0171745/