Toseef Din on wielding the strength of a man

Tosev is organized and colors within the lines. She has to be that way when she is a mother, a wife, a business leader, a doctoral student—in other words, when her hands are full. Her husband balances her. When she swings one way, he swings another.

Even if she hadn’t been a CEO, she would still have been a high achiever. That’s what her mother had instilled in her. It was written in the stars. The path was chosen for her, like a butterfly in full swing. What do those who say things say? We usually meet our destiny on the path we take to avoid it.

I’m not a doctor, but I have an honorary doctorate. I’m also studying for another DBA at Strathmore College. This has been a personal passion, and I always ask myself: What’s next? I have a thirst for knowledge.

My mother was a housewife and didn’t have a high level of education. My father worked in the aviation industry and didn’t spend much time at home. So my mother was the one who drove this ambition. She kept advising us to learn.

But my husband encouraged me, and he was a mainstay in my life, because studying after marriage is very difficult for a woman, as there is taking care of the house, the children, work, and so on.

My mom is a strong, multi-tasking woman. She was persistent and never made us feel less than the boys. My dad passed away in 2014 and he always said, “He who dares, lives.” We were allowed to pursue whatever we wanted to do – my older sister works in banking, my younger sister works in finance, and my youngest daughter works in management and operations. We are all financially independent girls. My mom taught us to be ambitious, even though she was a little girl. shining (Hard), she is nice.

There was no structure when my mom ran the house, she just shuffled around and that’s not how I wanted to raise my kids. I wanted to eat meals together because food also connects us. We grew up in an age of minimal technology and now our kids need that technology, we need to become more mature parents and be more friendly with our kids and have deep conversations with them.

Gratitude. When you see what’s going on in the world, you can forget about the little blessings God has given you. Food, shelter, strength, mobility. Just be thankful.

Monday through Thursday, after dinner, we have religious classes. I pick something and we discuss it. Fridays are general knowledge sessions, like the one we recently talked about about the butterfly effect. Saturdays and Sundays are days to barbecue, watch movies, or just relax. We also celebrate our small victories, even if it’s just passing our midterms.

Mmm (long pause) I was a fierce teenager. I never listened and just wanted things done my way. I was the life of the party, the cheerleader who organized everyone, haha!

I’ve gotten quieter as I’ve gotten older, Eddie. I’ve gotten quieter because leadership also makes you lonelier at the top. I’m not a loud person anymore.

It was more fun and cheerful. Toseef’s character became very serious, and I want to bring humor back into my life.

I love walking in Karura Forest or in the compound, it gives me a sense of stability. I am completely disconnected from digital devices. I meet up with my friends from college and university once a month.

I’ve always been an athletic person. Even at school, I was in the karate club. I feel like I have the strength of a man, I don’t think, ‘Oh, this is too heavy for me to carry.’ I started walking actively when I was 22, after I had my first child. I now do strength training every week, and that’s also about taking care of my health, it’s a model of preventative care for me. You are what you eat, so I’m conscious of my diet, and my eldest son has also developed a passion for the gym. It’s a personal ambition to be in top shape.

I think deeply about religion, about where humanity is headed. I think about my doctoral dissertation. Sometimes I have a business plan for the hospital, and I’ll draft it while I’m walking.

How can I make this world more sustainable?

I like to have a hot cup of coffee with a tea cake. And if I run away, that’s what I’ll do. It’s my reward plan.

Yes, recently, during Ramadan, I cooked something different for the entire 30 days. My husband really liked it. I enjoy cooking, and for me it’s very therapeutic. I don’t think there’s a better reward than when a mother cooks for her children and husband, and they say, “Oh my God, this is so delicious.” That’s what the kids remember so far. I remember all the pilaf my mother cooked. However, I’m a good cook; I don’t try many recipes, haha!

Chicken Tikka. It’s healthy and doesn’t have a lot of ingredients.

Of course. You don’t have to deprive yourself of anything; it’s all about focus and priorities. If you find something important in your life, you will make time for it. In my busy schedule, I make time for exercise because it’s important to me. What is your vision board? What do you want?

I do a lot of handwriting which is design writing.

My love for writing. I am a pen lover. I collect so many of them: different colors and shapes, highlighters, fineliners, calligraphy pens, felt-tip pens. There is such an attachment to them that even when my children touch them, they have to beware of my anger.

My husband is also very strong, but he is much calmer than me. We complement each other. He has never felt insecure, and neither have I. He is a surgeon. He has his strengths and I have mine, and we have nurtured each other.

I was called to host a concert but in the spirit of full disclosure, when I first met him, he was my doctor, haha! Later, I met him at an event I was hosting. Actually, I was a radio host on an Asian radio station, and he was releasing a music album because he sings and plays music, and I was the MC. We fell in love with each other, haha!

He’s humble, supportive, a good listener, a father figure, and a friend. When I’m stuck at work, he’s there for me. He’s a really nice guy.

Sometimes I forget that I am a wife. I am the CEO of the house, making sure my maids do things on time, measuring KPIs. There are some things that are wifey, but I think it can be good in a way because you don’t have to identify yourself with certain names all the time.

I’ve matured and entered a different phase of my life, so I have to embrace that. I’m maturing, I’m not a young girl anymore. I’m very confident in where I am, that I’m an established leader in healthcare, and that my voice matters.

This job. I was CFO, then acting COO, then COO, then acting CEO, then CEO. My job has given me a lot of respect and trust — not only from the hospital staff but also from the community. This job has defined who Tosef is.

I believe in the power of learning from peers – what are their journeys like? It’s rewarding and fulfilling, and it can be lonely but for the right reasons. Leadership is a privilege but it’s also a burden. You can’t always be friendly with everyone, there’s time for fun and time for work. Having mentors and coaches has also been transformative in my journey.

I’m a dancer. But not in public, haha! My daughter has also learned the talent of music.

I am a very serious person, but I am also a fun person, and I love to joke and have fun.

I can’t stop myself from falling in love Written by Elvis Presley. My kids wrote this for me for Mother’s Day. I almost cried, haha!

Everything, Eddie. Life, food, my eyes, everything. There is so much to be thankful for. To be in a position of power where you can help others and change their lives. It is a job full of blessings because when we nurse our patients back to health they say to us, “God bless you.”

My belief is that every soul shall taste death so do good while you live. I am a firm believer in lighting a candle and not cursing the darkness.

My boss. He’s a transformational leader and a man I’d love to hear more about. He’s one in a million, Eddie.