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Today is the international women’s day.
The International Women’s Day, March 8, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2022, is: #BreakTheBias
In line with the international women’s day, Mamaj Aviation blog is celebrating some leading women holding their own in the Aviation, travel and tourism industry in Nigeria. These are women working assiduously behind the scenes, pushing boundaries and leaving a mark! Women, whose stories will inspire you…
Meet Chinasa Mbene, General Manager at Lagos Aviation Academy a subsidiary of Finchglow Group.
Kindly introduce yourself
My name is Chinasa Mbene, I am the General Manager at Lagos Aviation Academy. I have a passion for education and I have worked in the Nigerian Aviation Training Industry for a little over a decade in different capacities starting from being an instructor to my current designation at Lagos Aviation Academy.
Educational Background
I had my first Degree at Nnamdi Azikiwe University where I studied Applied Biochemistry but I had always been interested in the aviation industry especially this aspect which wasn’t so popular back then. I made my inquiries on the requirements and I took professional courses in the industry that certified me to be an eligible player. I worked with an aviation training school, took more professional certifications in order to hone my skills and that was how my journey started in March 2011 to be precise. I also have a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management from the University of Lagos with the aim of helping me get better at my role as well as for myself.
How many years have you worked in the Aviation/Travel Industry?
11 years. It’s been 11 years of learning, sharing and growing.
What was the lowest moment in your career?
Hmmm I had two lowest moments unfortunately I won’t be able to go in-depth on the first but I will give you a summary of it. At that time, I was working in an organization and I was fed up with everything, I was tired. I remember getting to the office one morning and upon sighting the gate, I burst into tears because I wasn’t sure of the drama that was awaiting me. My mental health was at stake and so I quit.
The second was when we just started Lagos Aviation Academy, I had put in my best to ensure everything worked out but I just felt stuck. We couldn’t get certain approvals and licenses, we were not getting the students we wanted and we were incurring more costs, it just got to me. I started doubting myself, I was dealing with too many things at the time even outside of work and I was ready to quit again. I’m grateful for the gift of an amazing boss in the person of Mr. Bankole Bernard. I made my intentions known to him, told him I was leaving but he encouraged me as always and I’m glad I listened then because we came out of that situation not long afterwards.
What is your most memorable moment?
Hmmn, thanks for this question because it has just brought a beautiful memory to mind. My most memorable moment was a time I attended an industry event in company of the then Head of Travelden Nigeria and on getting there I saw some of my students seated as CEOs of travel businesses and representatives of TMCs. The way they surrounded me and the praise words and appreciation made me realize that I wasn’t just teaching but I was also impacting lives. It dawned on me that the things I taught in class didn’t end there but my students were making alife out of it. I couldn’t have appreciated my profession more; it meant the world to me.
On another occasion, one of my students intervened on an issue I had at the airport without stress and made what was complicated simple. It meant a lot to me.
Again, when I look at LAA and I reflect on how we started and I see what myself and my team have been able to do in such a short time, it gives me joy. We started the school from nothing, I was the ‘numero uno’ staff. Today we have trained over 1,000 students and most of which are doing something tangible with the training they received. In addition to that we have produced 5 Overall Best Performers in Nigeria during our IATA Exams, we have industry awards to our names and a lot more. To cap it all, 1st of March made it five awesome years of working at Lagos Aviation Academy, it has not been so easy but it has been worth my while.
Your role, no doubt, is very strategic and quite demanding. What strategies have you adopted to help you cope with the demands?
This! It is very important. One of the things I discovered about myself in my earlier years of working is that I don’t like unnecessary stress. I mean, stress doesn’t do anything good to anyone. To avoid stress, I always plan ahead and it helps me prepare myself such that I have a calendar for everything down to what I eat. I don’t like things getting ramped up and even if anything falls out of plans, it won’t be beyond control. Having said that, my strategy again is planning as well as having the right people to work with. My team members are so dependable and I know I can always rely on them when I delegate responsibilities. There really is a difference working with people who just want to earn a salary compared to those who want to be part of the success story of your brand. I call that purposeful working.
What challenges have you encountered on the job and on your journey to the top, especially as a female?
Well, it is a patriarchal society, that’s one challenge we are going to have to deal with together. There are people who have the perception that some of us female leaders must have slept our way up but sadly, they miss it.
What I have realised is that many people do not study their bosses and they are always concerned about themselves at the expense of the health of the business. I had an easy way because I learnt to manage my boss, I did what was expected of me at the right time and took the initiative when I needed to. I wasn’t perfect, I made mistakes too but he could see my zeal and passion for the job as against just earning a salary. There is also that idea of underestimating women. ‘She is just a woman, what does she know?’ The truth is if you get the right women, especially the ones who are passionate about what they do, you will get amazing results.
How have you been able to balance work life and family?
It’s still the same thing I said about the strategies that help me cope. I have a good support system both at home and at work. I know when to delegate things, I also like to plan ahead so nothing comes up by surprise. This is very important for me because I realise I am human and humans break down when they don’t rest well or pay attention to their health. I know how to Netflix and chill when I need to.
What advice do you have for the aspiring young women out there who may want to tow your line of profession?
I will keep it simple and here goes. Once you set your heart to your goals, you work towards it, you can get there. There will be hurdles along the way. Don’t get discouraged, jump them if you can and you are on your way to success.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Impacting more lives, becoming a force in this space and a whole lot I would like to keep private.
