Abu Helal Rashid Reza
Chief Operating Officer
AWR Developments (BD) Limited
As Chief Operating Officer of AWR Developments (BD) Limited, Mr. Abu Helal Rashid Reza is a dynamic and visionary leader. With a deep commitment to honesty, empathy, and discipline, he has successfully transformed the company into a recognized brand in the real estate and construction industry. His leadership is marked by an unwavering dedication to quality, timely project delivery, and the creation of a positive work environment. Drawing inspiration from influential figures and applying a blend of hard and soft skills, Mr. Reza continues to drive innovation, navigate challenges, and inspire his team toward sustained excellence.
Let’s learn about his journey.
The InCAP: Mr. Abu Helal Rashid Reza, your professional career has been nothing short of inspirational. Could you walk us through the pivotal moments and milestones that have defined your path to success?
Mr. Abu Helal Rashid Reza: Along with my personal dedication and drive for success, there are some people in my life who have inspired and motivated me to achieve my goals.
Honesty and Empathy: The greatest teacher in my life has been my father. From him, I learned the importance of honesty and empathy towards those around me. These values have not only made me a more engaging person in my personal life but also a loyal and trustworthy professional.
Hard work: Early in my career, I encountered mentors and supervisors who placed significant workload on me, trusting in my ability to meet those challenges. This experience pushed me to work hard, build confidence, and achieve my goals, ultimately broadening my vision.
Discipline: For the past 7-8 years, I have worked as a development partner with the Ministry of Defense. Throughout this time, I have interacted with high-ranking officials and learned invaluable lessons from them. Their discipline has profoundly influenced me, helping me maintain consistency and focus in my professional life, guiding my career on a steady and straightforward path.
Achievements: Through sustained effort, I have successfully completed various large-scale projects, which have bolstered my confidence for the future. Additionally, my continuous pursuit of knowledge has helped me become more professional and consistent in my career.
What has been your most significant achievement as Chief Operating Officer at AWR Developments (BD) Limited, and what strategies did you employ to achieve it?
My greatest achievement at AWR Developments (BD) Limited has been successfully transforming the company into a recognized brand within the real estate and construction industry. We elevated our brand’s value and reputation by completing complex, large-scale projects with timely delivery and exceptional quality. How did we do it?
Creating a Healthy Work Environment: We focused on fostering a positive work environment through teamwork, motivation, effective delegation, performance-based rewards, and counseling for managers.
Structured Organogram and Interactive Teams: We established a well-organized structure with a clear organogram and delegated tasks effectively among dynamic, interactive teams.
Regular Training Workshops: We conducted regular training workshops to enhance our team’s skills and capabilities, ensuring continuous improvement.
Safety, Security, and Cleanliness: Our projects were meticulously supervised to ensure safety and security for workers, and a well-organized, clean project site helped reinforce our brand image. We maintained an exceptional safety record with almost zero casualties.
Crisis Management and Adaptation to Change: We successfully navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic without laying off any employees and paid nearly full salaries during this period. We also managed the impact of natural disasters effectively and adapted seamlessly to government regulations and compliance requirements. Furthermore, we integrated updated technologies into our project management processes to enhance efficiency and innovation.
How do you approach the challenge of aligning operational processes with the overall strategic vision of the company?
The approach to this challenge is to ensure that every functional manager understands the company’s goals, strategies, and long-term vision, and to effectively integrate these into our operational processes. We often face obstacles such as financial crises, conflicts between managers, and differing opinions among stakeholders. My challenge was to ensure that the company’s operations ran smoothly without setbacks.
First, I made sure to thoroughly understand the company’s vision and clearly identified how my role contributes to the company’s growth. I maintained regular communication with my teams and functional managers to monitor progress.
When conflicts arose, I listened carefully, facilitated conflict resolution meetings, and reinforced the importance of our long-term goals.
During financial crises, we faced the challenges together, ensuring that the burden was shared across departments.
When there were differences in stakeholders’ opinions, we organized interactive communication sessions to gather the best ideas, which were then approved by consensus.
This collaborative and proactive approach ensured that our operations remained aligned with the company’s strategic vision, even in the face of challenges.
Mr. Abu Helal, can you share an example of a difficult decision you had to make in your role, and how you ensured it was the right one for the business?
Faced with a difficult decision, our company encountered a challenge when one of our government projects became stalled due to inadequate funding approvals. If we chose to proceed, we would incur a loss of USD 50,000. It was a tough situation, but given the project’s significance, abandoning it wasn’t an option. I decided to move forward despite the loss and discussed the plan with the stakeholders. My rationale was to view this loss as an investment in business development, aimed at enhancing our company’s growth and reputation. Ultimately, we completed the project, absorbing the loss. This decision proved to be pivotal, as our timely completion and strengthened reputation allowed us to secure numerous highly profitable projects afterward, contributing significantly to our company’s growth.
How do you inspire and maintain a high level of motivation and performance among your team members?
The most influential leaders in my life journey are Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, and Simon Sinek. I study their lifestyles, listen to their speeches, and draw inspiration from them. I share their motivational vision with my teammates to elevate our collective purpose.
Elevate Your Team: Focus on continuous improvement, both personally and for your team members. Understand them, listen actively, and make positive changes in their lives. This approach fosters trust and empathy within the team.
Never give up: Always strive for achievement. Challenges, stress, and setbacks are inevitable, but resilience is key. Keep moving forward, improving yourself and your abilities. Remember, failure is just a stepping stone to new attempts.
Ethics and Empathy: In your life, adhere to both business and personal ethics. Work collaboratively with empathy, prioritizing the company’s, communities, and societal goals over personal gains. Strive to be the best member of your team.
Long-Term Vision: Define a clear purpose for your journey and your goals, both personal and professional. Envision the bigger picture, think ambitiously, and work diligently to achieve it
What are the key factors you consider when evaluating the success of a development project?
The key factors I consider for the successful development of a project are:
Financial Management: Effective management of funds is crucial, as there may be fluctuations and external issues affecting fund allocation. It’s essential to oversee the project with a well-forecasted financial plan.
On-Time Delivery: Adhering to the project schedule is vital, as timely completion impacts the company’s growth and reputation. It also helps in building a positive brand image.
Quality Control and Safety: Ensuring high standards of quality and safety is essential to distinguish your project from others. Placing the right people in the right roles is key to managing these aspects effectively.
Adaptation to Change: Embracing new technologies, regulations, and trends is important to align with the company’s vision and overcome potential challenges. Continuous improvement is necessary to stay competitive.
Maintaining an Effective Team: An effective team is maintained through motivation, fair remuneration, rewards, and a healthy work environment. Ensuring employees feel valued and secure helps them perform at their best.
Business Ethics: Upholding strong business ethics is crucial for long-term sustainability and smooth project execution. All stakeholders, team members, and colleagues should be well-versed in these ethical standards.
Reflecting on your experiences and the milestones you’ve achieved, what final thoughts or words of wisdom would you like to share with our esteemed readers?
I was asked in an interview that what is my purpose of life, and what would be my words of wisdom when and where I want to see myself. My answer was that when I wake up every day, I have three things in mind:
Healthy Lifestyle: To maintain my health and a peaceful family life, I focus on the following: I prioritize a balanced diet and regular exercise to stay healthy. I also ensure to spend quality time with my family, making them feel comfortable and valued. Engaging with friends and surrounding myself with positive ideologies also contributes to my well-being.
Creating a Positive Work Environment: Whether as an entrepreneur or an employee, it is essential to foster a healthy work environment. This involves building good relationships with teammates, colleagues, and subordinates. Continuous learning and self-improvement are vital, and I aim to share my knowledge and skills with others.
Contributing to Society: I recognize my responsibility towards society and strive to make a positive impact. Whether through financial contributions, sharing knowledge, or working towards a sustainable environment, I believe my talents and knowledge should benefit the community.
Quick Chat With Abu Helal Rashid Reza
The greatest achievement of your life as of now:
People appreciate me for who I am now.
How do you define patriotism?
Patriotism is the inner drive to serve your country’s people and to stand firmly against corruption, violence, and wrongdoing.
The greatest philosopher in your view:
Socrates.
Meaning of “Success” to you:
For me, success is working towards a meaningful goal that helps and inspires others.
Your Icon:
Simon Sinek.
Name the most influential book you have read:
“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Musician.
Which is the best gift you have ever received?
My loving family. My life partner, my child and my parents.
What is your greatest fear?
Loneliness.
You in three words
Empathetic, Loving & Persistent.
Skill set:
Based on my career experience and knowledge, I have learned that a leader should navigate their role with both regimental discipline and empathy. Combining these approaches fosters a strong and positive outcome.
- Hard Skills: Visionary thinking, Hard work, Dedication, Disciplined, Highly Strategic, Sound technical knowledge, Positive attitude & vocal, Risk mitigation, Crisis Management, Decision Making.
- Soft Skills: Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Delegation, Conflicts management, Counseling, Listening, Knowledge Sharing, Adaptability & Flexibility, Motivational.
Prayer For The Human Civilization
May humanity be guided by empathy and wisdom? May minds seek knowledge over wealth, and may we work together for a sustainable and greener world.
The InCAP: Thank you, Mr. Abu Helal Rashid Reza! It’s a glittering conversation with you!
Mr. Abu Helal Rashid Reza: My pleasure! Wish you all the best! Thank you
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