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2007 peak performers

It’s not often that the awards for National Division Director ofthe Year and National T.O.P. Leader go to the same person;

and it’s almost unheard of for both awards to go to the sameperson two years running, but Shafik Hirani has managed boththose feats in one remarkable year. In fact, for Shafik, winningthese awards in 2006 only encouraged him to thrive harder thefollowing year.

“I felt a tremendous honour,” says Shafik, Division Director ofCalgary South. “I felt a purpose and from that purpose I tried tomotivate and inspire my division.”

Shafik has been inspiring Consultants in his division since hetook on the role of Division Director in 1999 after four years asa Consultant. He credits his success to the belief that anyone canaccomplish what they set their minds to. “Anyone can build asuccessful business if they don’t have self-imposed limitingbeliefs. It’s the mindset and lack of imagination that put thebrakes on us.”

Shafik is also quick to share his success with the members of hisdivision. “Like the coach of a good team I can’t let it get to myhead,” he explains. “I am the leader of a team that trulyaccomplished the goal. It’s the players on the field that are mostdeserving of the credit.”

So how does he motivate his team to achieve? To be successful inthis line of work, Shafik believes that Consultants need to have acertain amount of self-awareness and he explains that to excel inbusiness, we sometimes have to let go of our egos.

“In my opinion,” states Shafik, “The number one thing thathelps people attain a higher standard is self-awareness. Often wedistort the world we see to suit our fragile egos and we havedefense mechanisms that reinforce our belief set.” Shafik affirmsthat forcing ourselves to think in different ways can bebeneficial, not only in business, but in all aspects of our lives.

When asked if he has advice for others, Shafik shares his uniqueoutlook on life and work. “Basically, many people have anexternal locus of control. This is a term most often used bypsychologists to describe people who believe they will be happyor successful if something outside their control happens.”

Shafik, on the other hand, believes that to be successful in life,we have to switch our thinking. “We must make the shift to aninternal locus of control. Only then can we fully takeresponsibility and accountability of our successes.”

This technique has worked well for Shafik. In 2004 he qualifiedfor President’s Club as a Consultant and as a result of hispersonal business, he qualified for President’s Elite in 2005 and2007. While he is a great leader for his team, he also focuses onbuilding his own practice. He has over 800 clients and finished2007 with the highest T.O.P points nationally at 617,282.

But Shafik knows that he did not reach this success without help.He purposely decided not to thank anyone in his acceptancespeech as there are so many people who have influenced him. “Itgoes without saying that you can’t accomplish something withouta good relationship with your Regional Director,” he says. “BrianMennis and I have a mutual respect for each other.

“I am the leader of a team that truly

accomplished the goal.

It’s the players on the field that are

most deserving of the credit.”

— Shafik Hirani—

Shafik Hirani accepts two awards at once from the Leaders Forum stage –the National Division Director of the Year and the National T.O.P. Leader.

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national division director of the yearand national t.o.p. leader

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“There is also such a talented pool of Regional Directors across thecountry. Brian Mennis, Ray Massa, Bill Charles, Babis Chronopoulos,Tom Van Tighem, Rob Bisson and Brad Campbell have all beeninspirational,” Shafik adds. “They have shaped me.”

Shafik also acknowledges the leadership he receives from head office. “It’s a thankless job always giving away the awards and never receiving one. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Kinzel for his leadership. I sincerely appreciate his sincerity, his candor and his vision.”

But overall, Shafik is pleased torecognize and thank the people he works with everyday. “My peers in my division and on my team are the key to our success,” he concludes. “A strong culture is unstoppable – it fuels itself, it’s self-sustaining, and it even spreads.”

“Anyone can build a successful business if they

don’t have self-imposed limiting beliefs.”

— Shafik Hirani—

Shafik Hirani, Division Director, Calgary South

back-to-backperformance

for Shafik Hirani