IIC Partners: Inside Inclusive Leadership

IIC Partners interviewed Ilham Kadri, President, Diversey Care Division of Sealed Air Corporation on the advantages of diverse leadership teams, gender inequality across the globe and the traits that define a successful leader.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in the Oil & Gas, Automotive and Cleaning sectors?
As a chemical engineer with a doctorate in reactive extrusion, my career started in the oil and gas, automotive, marine and desalination sectors. I’ve always found that the most interesting opportunities were in fast-moving and highly industrialized environments. My current role is as the President, Diversey Care Division of Sealed Air Corporation.

My career has been diverse and rewarding from the very beginning and has taken me to over 13 locations across five continents. In every geographical market, it was critical to actively maintain high ethical standards as a leader and understand the culture.

What similarities have you found across these highly industrialized sectors?
Competition is fierce and commoditization is incredibly fast. You need to identify the technologies and skills required for the future, rather than the present. A leader must understand a customer’s business and develop partnerships with them to deliver value. There is also tight control from regulatory agencies and a consistent demand for more sustainable solutions. The energy and chemical sectors share the vision of “do more with less” and aspire to minimize impact while efficiently maximising available resources.

What can be done to attract more women to leadership roles?
Culture begins at the top of any organisation. Various studies show that growing diversity in the boardroom can offer many benefits to a company including new ideas that aid in problemsolving, strategic planning and service enhancement. When company boards understand the value of women, they create environments that encourage diversity and inclusion. This trend has given credence to businesses around the world to adopt a more diverse corporate staff.

To read the full interview, click here.