Exclusive Trusted Magazine Q&A with Théa L Khoury, Chief Executive at Linear Lines
How could you describe your career path in few words?
My career path has been quite rocky, I learned a lot by doing, by throwing myself into a large piece of work I have never engaged with before, by failing and by trying again with the knowledge acquired through failure. My background is in Communication Arts, however, I currently, manage Linear Lines, a community of technical and thematic experts from and working for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region, we work with Community-Based-Organizations (CBOs), International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), Philanthropic Foundations and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) who strive to influence the advancement of human rights and social justice in the MENA region. It was quite a journey to leap from a background in Communications to a career in consulting within the International Development sector. I have always regarded my failures with honesty, and as learning moments. It is with this spirit that I have found the path to success.
What was your most challenging experience and it has changed your mindset?
Management is key to running any operation. I leapt into registering a company without a proper managerial strategy in place. I knew that I wanted a new model, an innovative and decentralized model in which people are elevated, where all members/staff are involved in decision-making, with equitable access to the company’s knowledge and resources. The model itself has been organically nurtured, however, the business aspect of the work requires in-depth reflection and due strategizing. Launching a business without a well-thought-out managerial strategy brings forth a plethora of challenges, how to recruit and retain key personnel within a decentralized mode of operation, and how to grow the structure effectively and remain sustainable are core elements to consider. I have been learning to plan in increments as my (amazing) team and I navigate the business landscape. I also aim to engage in an M.A. Program in International Relations and International Business this coming fall in order to give myself the space and time to develop a solid management model that can grow sustainably.
Based on your experience, what skills should an entrepreneur develop in 2023?
Adaptability: Today’s world is in constant motion, and the ability to effectively respond to a fast-changing landscape is necessary to ensure that you remain relevant and, your work effective.
Attention Management: We are constantly pulled in so many different directions, while writing, a staff member walks in to ask for some advice; my financial controller calls to confirm invoice details, and my mother calls to ask what I had for lunch. The time I had allocated to a specific task has evaporated. I learned that I had to schedule open hours throughout my week, these are allocatable slots that people can fill out on my calendar, that are scheduled within my work week and are accounted for. I also learned that my best (and most focused) work is done very early in the morning, for someone else this could be late at night – There is no one-size fits all, but the principle remains: Find what works for you - Control distractions, find flow, and maximize focus.
Innovation: We are sick of how things are traditionally done, draw inspiration from best practice tools and methodologies and create your own. We will never advance if we stick to doing things by the book, we want to write our own.
Based on your recent experiences, if you had one piece of advice for an entrepreneur's success in the context of 2023, what would it be?
Make the leap of faith: Don’t be afraid to take risks, it comes with the territory. Either believe in a vision and learn how to get there as you are on the way, or you will never get started. A lot of people around me have brilliant ideas ready for execution but are discouraged -especially given the current global context of recession, war, disease, and general uncertainty. I am born and raised in Lebanon, the country is currently (since 2019) facing the compounding of multi-layered crises, which have derailed the economy and pushed the country further into chaos. Young people are not willing to risk the little they have, to invest in such a volatile landscape, but as time passed, small operations began appearing, often around ideas that have rarely been explored in the country, many of which are gaining much attention, and are finding significant success. The key, I believe, lies in the following golden principles:
Do your best;
Do it ethically;
Remain committed to continuous growth.
