Shabbir Rajani: Climbing the rungs of success through dedication

He believes that being loyal and devoted to an institution is how one can s쳮d. Indeed, Shabbir Rajani joined the HBL team in 1976. Since then, he has not stopped climbing the corporate ladder.

He is the perfectexample of determination and zeal. Shabbir Rajani, 57 yearsold, has been working in the banking profession for over 37 yearsnow. He joined HBL in 1976 after his studies in Mumbai, India. He is presently the acting Country Operations Manager of the bank. He started as a teller, when the institution only had two branches, one in Sir William Newton Street, Port Louis, and another in Curepipe. “I was in fact recruited for the opening of an additional branch in Port Louis, in SSR Street. I was one of the first employers to work there,” he says.

However, he did not stay there for long. Shabbir Rajani’s dynamism and thirst to learn soon got him transferred back to HBL main branch, where he was promoted to head cashier. “I continued to work there for quite some time. Those days, counter hours were from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. However, I used to hang out with my other colleagues after hours and learnt the basic of accountings from them, such as balancing the cash book which was a manual job at that time,” Shabbir Rajani states.

The turning point in his career was when the accountant was absent one day, leaving the bank in a tricky situation as to who would carry out the daily exercise of balancing the cash book. “I volunteered. My manager asked me whether I knew how do to it. My answer was: ‘No, but I will try’. That’s how it all started,” he adds.

He slowly moved on to accounting and was later on promoted to junior officer, senior officer, sub-manager of the Port Louis branch and, in 2004, to manager of the branch where he made his debut as a teller. “I worked as manager there for three years. After the merging of the two branches of HBL under one roof, wherewe are currently situated, I was made manager of this branch. I then moved on to head the retail sales team of all of our activities, before being called upon, four months back, to take on more responsibilities. Since then, I am the acting Country Operations Manager. This is how I have climbed the ladder of success at HBL,”he explains.

Shabbir Rajani is a man who believes in loyalty. He argues that an employee has to grow along with the institution where he works. “This has been my mindset all along. It is the reason why I am still part of HBL in spite of all the ups and downs. I believe that all things in life happen for a reason. After all, life would not be an enjoyable ride without this,” he says.

The biggest challenge in his career, according to him, was to be recognised for his hard work. “I like being prompt in attending to duties, coming early to work and having a new approach. This is what we teach our staff as well,” Shabbir Rajani states.

Thereby, the man defines leadership as a style of management. It is all about giving your staff the confidence that, when you are around, nothing is difficult. “Leadership is when you create that confidence in your employees. I want my subordinates to climb up the ladder of success on the basis of merit. I believe respect is commanded, not demanded,” he voices out.

It is in fact his willingness to work, his dedication and his staff that are his biggest strengths, he cites. “It is always about team work,”he says.

Shabbir Rajani has also brought his personal twist in management at the bank with a weekly pep talk for the staff on Monday mornings, which he has passed on to all his managers. “I try to transmit my energy to my staff in this way,” he says.

Aside from being a banker, Shabbir Rajani is married and has one daughter. He is a dedicated family person. “I like going out with them during the weekend. I also enjoy watching TV programs suchas ‘Bigg Boss’ and comedy programs. However, I am not a big fan of daily soaps,” he admits with a laugh.

On a more sober note, Shabbir Rajani admits that banking entails certain sacrifices. “My family understands me and my work timings,”he states.

Shabbir Rajani is also an avid traveller – he has been to India several times, a country he admires for itslifestyle. He has been to Pakistan, Iran, Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore, Seychelles, Saudi Arabia and Madagascar as well. “My wife is from Tanzania. This says it all,” he concedes with a smile.

His greatest inspiration in life has been his late father, who was a banker for HBL as well, right from its beginnings in 1964. “He was one of the pioneers of the bank here,” says ShabbirRajani.

However, he unabashedly admits that he has learnt a lot from a younger colleague of his, Sajid Bodhy, who happens to be the Chief Executive Officer of HBL in Mauritius. He states: “He has taught me how to be a good leader and how to be harsh, firm and display leadership skills. I have learnt management from him, even though he is much younger than me.”