We were lucky to catch up with A.Shoaib Khan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi A.Shoaib, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Definitely my parents! Growing up my dad kept a career in the military that was very demanding and regimented and seeing him never falter really instilled in me a sense of pride and identity with the work that I too would end up doing. Additionally my mom worked initially as a teacher at every school we would go to in order to help afford only the best education for her children. Her career track I hugely admire as she climbed the ranks from teacher to administrator to principle and eventually advisory roles on school boards.
Both of their work ethics was beyond reproach and they always found immense pride in their ability to contribute in meaningful ways to their respective fields.
I remember in 2021 I wrote in my notes app “If I even put in half the effort my parents do, I can make it anywhere.”
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a Director/Assistant Director from Pakistan that recently wrote and directed a short film I’m immeasurably proud of called ‘Walk With Death’. It’s currently in post-production and I couldn’t be more excited for the finished piece to be released to the public.
In addition to directing I’ve Assistant Directed several projects currently in their festival run some of which are now winning awards which is incredibly humbling.
I think the most exciting part about my job is being able to create stories that others will come to hopefully enjoy and find their own meaning and satisfaction in. Working in a team environment with people who take so much care and pride in their craft is also hugely inspiring for me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the three most impactful ones for me personally would have to be firstly communication. My time at law school taught me a lot in terms of being able to effectively get people to understand my point of view and even get them on my side with it. It’s striking a balance between giving a direction you want but also coming across as likeable so they would want to follow it of their own volition anyway.
Another big one I think is being able to pull away from a situation. Looking at the bigger picture and seeing a different opportunity or angle to approach a problem with.
As individuals we often put blinders on for our own ways and that can cut away some obvious or better methodologies. It’s important to take a deep breath, step back and analyze what’s truly essential and the optimal way to achieve it.
Finally and this has two parts; humility and confidence. There is no problem too small or too big for you to deal with. Take just as much care and pride with the small tasks and never back away from the challenge of something big. Instead of talking yourself out of it, talk yourself head first into it.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Okay this is more for my personal development but it’s The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
Hear me out I know it’s a children’s book but I first read it as a teenager and because it was my then favorite actor James Dean’s favorite book and I was curious as to why.
I now know why, I think it’s a beautiful story with many messages and lessons, without giving away the story I just wanna share some quotes and remind people it’s a very quick read if they’re interested in doing so!
“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”
“Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.”
“You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”
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