My time at Sysdoc

My background

I joined Sysdoc in April 2017, almost 6.5 years ago. After completing my degree from St Andrews in Scotland where I studied Business Management and English Literature, I moved back to Pakistan where I grew up and a short time later, I relocated to London and started my consulting journey at Sysdoc.

How did I join Sysdoc?

I attended a women’s networking lunch which was part of an entrepreneurship event at the business school at the University of Oxford. At the table I was seated at, was none other than Katherine Corich, the founder of Sysdoc. After hearing Katherine’s inspiring story about Sysdoc, I decided this was an organisation that I would love to work for so I mustered up the courage to go and speak to her. She gave me her card and that night I wrote the story of my life to her. Before I knew it, I was interviewing and offered a job at Sysdoc.

What are the skills that I have developed while employed by Sysdoc?

If you saw me in Islamabad in 2016 and you see me now, you will realise that I have done a complete 180 in my life. I entered the world of corporate London as a slightly afraid and daunted individual who was venturing into the unknown. But I am a different professional today. A different woman. I have a voice; I have conviction and I strongly believe that even the sky isn’t the limit.

None of this would have been possible without the support and guidance of the people I have been so blessed to work with at Sysdoc. A lot of people have believed in me and nurtured me in this organisation.  I have worked in a number of different roles, for different clients across a whole host of industries. This has included leading three projects solo for Sysdoc for one of our largest clients.

I have a very solid understanding of Change and how it interacts with other parts of the project lifecycle and have also worked in the Learning, Process and Communication spheres of various projects which has given me a very solid rounded consulting experience and skill set. Also, strategic thinking and the ability to see the big picture – to anticipate and prepare for the reactions of people and situations and to not have tunnel vision.

What is the biggest learning as a consultant at Sysdoc?

The importance of kindness. Above all, every human being needs kindness and empathy, even on a crazy project. One must never forget one’s humanity or loose sight of one’s scruples no matter how hard the circumstances. You do the right thing.

There is something in a Sysdoc person, a fundamental kindness, a selflessness, and an understanding of what is perhaps most important in life which repeatedly and relentlessly astonishes me and warms my heart and makes me want to be a better person. 

Let’s talk culture at Sysdoc

Sysdoc has always felt like a big family to me. There is no hierarchy at Sysdoc – you can call anyone in the organisation to ask for help or to gain their thoughts and opinions without any hesitation. Because we are a smaller business, we all know each other and as a result I feel my learning and growth has happened at a much faster pace than I could have imagined. I have never felt like a cog in the machine, which has really set me up for success in my consulting career. There is relentless commitment in Sysdoc but there is also relentless kindness and a lot of people have taken the time to really invest in my growth and development as a professional over the years. 

Where do I grow most?

My greatest growth happens when I move from one client to another. As a consultant this involves understanding and adapting to different organisation cultures very rapidly. Relationship building from scratch, gaining the trust of a new team and coming up with solutions in complex situations very quickly. In Change Management, one size does not fit all, and you will have to pan out, assess the cards you’ve been dealt and realistically modify and deliver your approach as a consultant accordingly. It’s in this sphere of rapid change and subsequent adaptation where I feel I grow the most as a professional.

This is a brief overview of life as a consultant at Sysdoc UK!