By: Chiara Accardi
In the ever-evolving societal transformation landscape, few individuals stand out through their dedication, resilience, and multifaceted expertise. One such individual is Ihsane Haouach, a societal entrepreneur, author, board member, trainer, and advisor who has made significant strides in promoting equity and sustainability. With a rich background in the energy sector, Ihsane has successfully bridged the gap between the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, co-founding several initiatives aimed at promoting equity, particularly for women and youth.
Her work and writings reflect Ihsane’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world. Her first book, “Open Up Your Organization,” presents an inclusive leadership model based on real-life examples, aiming to inspire leaders to embrace diversity and inclusivity in their organizations. Her second book, “It’s Not Personal,” blends reality and fiction to shed light on issues such as structural sexism and cyberbullying, aiming to improve societal dialogue with humor and humanity.
Today, we delve into her remarkable career, exploring the challenges she has faced and the impact she has made through her work and her books. Join us as we learn more about Ihsane Haouach, a true champion of equity and sustainability.
Can you share with us what inspired you to transition from a comfortable position in the energy sector to becoming a societal entrepreneur?
I’ve simply lost my drive. For ten years, I have been working in the same company but never got bored. I had a lot of freedom and was empowered to create and drive many projects. In parallel, I had launched several nonprofit initiatives. When I had an urgent task to perform for my nonprofit activities, I was passionate about it and would prioritize it, while I was not paid for it. And when I had to do something for my real job, I was annoyed. It was a new feeling. I had to be consistent, follow my passion, and accept that material comfort, although very nice, is never enough. But I did not want to work full-time in the social sector, I know it could be suffocating. So I employed myself half-time as general manager of TYN – Talented Youth Network (the organization I cofound), focused on developing the cultural & youth center L’Epicerie we literally built, and half-time was dedicated to helping companies make good.
Your first book, “Open Up Your Organization,” outlines an inclusive leadership model. What motivated you to write this book, and how has it been received by your audience?
I have always been challenged more than others because my appearance does not satisfy everyone. When I was a teenager, I decided that this would not define me. That’s probably why I look beyond appearances so much, and why over time I have developed a model to work together, no matter where you come from or where you’re going. Inclusivity of appearance is a main challenge outside a company. Inside, once the barriers of being employed are passed, the challenge evolves toward the inclusivity of profiles. To reach full inclusivity, you have to be open to other views, resolve difficulties with Patience, feel Empathy for your colleagues, and find a safe in which you can be…Natural. That’s the OPEN way I am promoting. O.P.E.N. stands for Openness, Patience, Empathy, Natural.
The current feedback is very positive. People like the stories, and the fact that 12 other leaders in different sectors partnered their voices with me. It’s not a theoretical book, hence a very practical one. Even if the stories are not the same, people feel the emotions behind and that’s very helpful for change management. Based on real-life examples, facts, and illustrated concepts, anyone can refer to his or her reality and assess his or her management style.
In “It’s Not Personal,” you mix reality and fiction to address various societal issues. What was your creative process like for this book, and what key messages do you hope readers take away from it?
It was a very particular moment in my life. I felt overwhelmed by years of intense activities, it was just after the COVID confinement (I was sick of COVID-19 twice), that I had my third child and mainly… I was just going out of a cyberstalking and politico-mediatic campaign. I wanted to write but not about me. I don’t really like spending much time on the past. “Li fet met” like we say in Arabic. What happened is dead. I keep the lessons but park the memories. I just wanted to tell a story that can help first women understand that being a victim is not their fault. It was also a therapy for me, it helped me have a better analysis of what happened and be critical of myself. Then I wanted to sensibilise society about that problem.
So I began to write a story, imagining Léa, her internal struggles, her evolution, her tensions, and her happiness. Inevitably, I used my own experience, but not only that: I collected testimonies from other women who have experienced cyberstalking, a veritable scourge in our society, which, alas, the legal arsenal offers no protection whatsoever. I also used episodes experienced in corporate change projects. I tried to make my readers laugh also. I’m always making jokes, so that goes with my writing style! I was happy to receive feedback saying “I was angry, I cried but I also laughed ”.
To be honest, I was not sure how to publish my book. It waited two years to go public. Fear of being misunderstood, fear of sinking back into the vortex of cyberstalking…But I am an optimist. I hope to make a small contribution to the vast initiatives of living together and a better understanding of society.
You have a diverse professional background, having worked in private, institutional, and nonprofit sectors. How has this experience shaped your approach to societal entrepreneurship?
I have a profound belief that each citizen has a duty to improve our society. In parallel to my professional responsibilities, I was involved in societal causes, mainly focusing on cultural and educational development, for youngsters and women. Starting from there, I always try to use the best of each world to improve the others. For instance, I manage a social project using KPIs and evaluating the employee’s (even volunteers’) performances. I show a lot of empathy in the corporate environment and question the societal impact. I have in mind market competitiveness and social protection in the public area.
Also, I am convinced that we need to integrate energy transition into social challenges, so I made it a point to always have a foot in both of those worlds. So it’s not only linking private, institutional, and nonprofit sectors but also thinking about our planet and our people at the same time. It can be exhausting and heavy to always combine all those aspects, but that’s really my way of thinking and working. I don’t like silos.
As a speaker, trainer, and advisor, you face numerous challenges. Can you elaborate on some of these challenges and how you overcome them?
When you are an external, you only see what your client wants you to see. So for me, it’s hard to give my advice and recommendations when I’m not sure of what is going on. I’m a person who likes to analyze, challenge, and cross-check before making a point. So this advisor role is a challenge when it’s punctual.
As a speaker, I have to say it’s very easy. I come, give my speech, try to inspire, and then leave! Of course, I always customize my presentation given the context, but I’m not in charge.
As a trainer, I like interactivity. I need to have everyone with me all the time. In general, there is so much interaction that we don’t need to take a break. Learning while having fun, that’s what I tend to achieve! Sometimes I’m asked to follow up, with some structural coaching. That’s very interesting because I am then able to go further and see the change we aspire to achieve.
You have been involved in theater and playing the piano. How do these artistic pursuits influence your work and personal life?
Personally, I need to have purely creative activities. One may think it’s just fun, it’s easy. But performing theater as well as playing an instrument requires discipline, regularity, focus, and time. It helps my brain go somewhere else: it’s not work, it’s not family, it’s not friends. I feel so happy when I am able, after months, to play a partition by heart! I also enjoy sport, running in the Brussels canal.
Of course, it influences my work. For instance, I often start training with some stretching, include role plays in the exercises, or focus on the voice’s musicality to improve one’s presentation skills. By the way, when I launched my book “It’s Not Personal”, it was in the theater of Ras El Hanout (where I performed) and actors interpreted some parts of the book. That evening was magical!
Published By: Aize Perez
