Digital change, Spirituality, Poetry, and How to Be Purpose Driven
When you just want to be free, what do you do?
Asma, the head of digital policy at Jazz, writes poetry. She has a collection of over 200 poems.
“Writing poetry makes the original side of me come out,” explains Asma.
We all need something like that, right?
Today, we chat with Asma. And we get some insightful advice on how to live a purpose driven life. Let’s start…
1. Go where you can make an impact
Look at Asma’s career trajectory. It’s been all about going where she can do great things.
Asma first worked in marketing for an IT firm and then corporate strategy for a telecommunications company. After that, she worked for Nestle in the global transformation program. Before coming to Jazz, Asma served as the chief operating officer at Rocket Internet.
Let’s just consider that resume for a second. Because it’s impressive.
Okay! Now, if you ask Asma why she joined Jazz, you’ll see why she’s so successful. It’s because she lives and works with a purpose.
“I came to Jazz to make an impact as a hands-on policymaker. It’s a change of pace from my last job as COO, which was about making fast decisions and iterating quickly. My role at Jazz is to influence digital policy in Pakistan not just for Jazz, but so other companies and people can have more opportunities. The canvas has changed. The scope is different, exciting, and very important. What I’m doing can help the country in amazing ways.”
Asma sees Jazz as a place that’s moving forward. She saw the opportunity to join — and took it.
“I also liked that Jazz tapped me on LinkedIn. It shows that they’re more progressive, that they’re quick to embrace new ways of doing things.”
2. Define your own success
Have you ever looked up what success is?
According to experts, you could measure success by calculating objective and subjective factors in your career and personal life. For objective factors, think things like job title, community involvement, and retirement savings. For subjective factors, think things like pride in accomplishments, fulfilling relationships, and ability to relax and recharge.
If you ask Asma for career and life advice, she goes even further.
“First, know who you are. Find what your heart wants and own it. Second, define your own success based on what will make you happy and fulfilled, not just money and fancy things. Third, don’t stop learning — because it’s the only way to thrive in the digital age,” states Asma.
Do you see the deeper meaning? You have to know what you’re chasing in order to catch it. If those are things like career growth, trust of colleagues, and long walks on the beach (we just had to add that), then make a plan to get there and get to work.
3. Set the stage and influence the thought process of digital policymaking
Once you define your own success, make a roadmap. Hang the map up on the wall to remind yourself of where you want to go. Do a dance each morning to get excited about going further on the map.
Wait, what?
Let’s just take some inspiration from the way Asma goes about her work at Jazz. It proves the importance of strategizing in everything you do.
“Our main goal is to influence the thought process of digital policymaking and get the right things digitized. We have a tiered approach, from national to provincial to sector/industry level. It’s a high-level value chain approach that involves a lot of research,” describes Asma.
To ensure they can successfully help the country step into the digital realm, Asma and her team have been analyzing how other countries are undergoing digital transformation. They’re examining various indexes to find out where they can make the most improvements. And they’re identifying key challenges in Pakistan.
“This is so can be sure we’re making the right decisions for not just Jazz, but all of Pakistan. We have to have a clear vision.”
4. Turn on the lights and camera and set the course of digital mind set change
Because it’s time to take action. While much of Asma’s work is about researching and strategizing, it’s all in an effort to build policies that bring positive change.
Asma sums up some of her team’s accomplishments nicely:
It is a totally new area, and it is very challenging to propose recommendations and identify opportunities. The digital policy team has super progressive thinkers and innovative minds to be able to suggest some quality recommendations from developing the national policy agenda for digitalization to suggesting the governance frameworks. These are sensitive no go areas but have been very well crafted and advocated by the team to set the course of digital mind set change in motion for the country”.
The goal is to unite digital services within one platform. Not only will this make life more convenient for people and businesses, it will create lots of opportunities for Jazz, their customers, and society as a whole.
“We just have to jump in. We must see how these services can be improved if digitized. I’ve consulted with the Ministry of Commerce and IT before. Now that I’m at Jazz, I’m in a position where we can show them how our digital products and services can improve things,” attests Asma.
For Asma, the idea that you just have to jump into the digital realm connects to writing. Sometimes you just have to put the pen to the paper (or hands to the keyboard). Because that’s how you see if magic can be made.
Or, in the words of author Srinivas Rao, “If I waited to be inspired, I would be screwed.”
5. Dive deep into what you’re doing
When Asma studied at the University of Cambridge, she worked on a research paper on the textiles sector in Pakistan with Professor Peter Nolan. His commitment to his work, especially research on China’s economic rise, inspired her.
“It was impressive to see how motivated Professor Nolan is. He’s like a library. Working with him taught me the value of diving deep into things,” says Asma.
At Jazz, that’s exactly what she and the digital policy team are doing. They analyze different sectors, notably agriculture, education, health, and commerce. Each team member takes a sector and does extensive research on it. Then, the team comes up with solutions.
Asma also notes that it’s important to dive deep into your personal life. Because driving towards success requires being purpose driven in who you are and how you live.
“I’m very spiritual and focus on living a meaningful life. That’s why, if I could have a dinner party with any three people, I would invite my spiritual teacher, a prophet and Alexender the Great. It would certainly be an enlightening conversation!”
6. Maintain the right pace and don’t be afraid to fail
Quick question: What’s the best career tip you could give someone?
Asma has some wise advice:
“I’ve had academic and professional successes. But it’s the failures that have benefited me the most. Everyone encounters tough situations. It’s how you fight and struggle and come out of them that matters.”
At Jazz, Asma feels the pace supports taking time to do things properly, rather than just quickly. That’s why she tells her team mates to not be afraid to fail. Work through the roadblocks until you get tasks done correctly.
“Writing poetry has helped me understand that it takes time and effort to perfect the craft. I keep this in mind wherever I go and whatever I do.”
7. Balance yourself
Let’s get back to the last point about writing. Because having passions is vital to living a fulfilling life.
“My poems are a projection of myself and how life’s going. I’m a traditional, modern, and spiritual person — and writing is my way to let myself shine.”
Writing is not Asma’s only hobby. She’s also an avid traveler. Her favorite place to visit is Istanbul.
“Istanbul is like a reflection of myself! It’s modern and traditional, old and new, busy yet peaceful….”
Indeed, Istanbul — a city where east meets west — is full of history and culture. From the bustling bazaars to the magical art to the monumental mosques, the city sweeps you off your feet — and inspires you to live with a purpose.
“I will visit Istanbul again as soon as I have the chance. The city teaches you that it’s the deeper things in life that matter most.”
Write your story
Hopefully, Asma’s advice will encourage and help you live a purpose driven life. Now, all that’s left to do is write it out. Get to it!
