Many who know Ayu Kristiana would agree that calling her a “tough cookie” would be apt. A tough cookie with a soft centre. Over her eight years at Discova in Bali, Indonesia, she has proven to be not only a well-respected, multi-talented, tenacious leader, but one who cares deeply about people, whether her family, colleagues or the communities we work with around Bali.
Ayu is next in our profile series on exemplary leaders in ‘Discova Women in Leadership’. Learn about her leadership story and values here.
I started at the bottom of the ladder, as reservation staff with a local tour operator, when I was 20 years old. During twenty-something years of my career, I was very fortunate to have experienced multiple role changes across various fields in the travel industry, which helped sharpen my managerial skill. I always see my professional journey as a life experience. When things are great, it is wonderful and when the times are challenging, I try to embrace it as a learning experience.
Overall, it has been wonderful. Even when the going gets tough, I see it as a learning experience. The most challenging part has always been people management. For me, using facts over feelings in driving the team is the key in making tough decisions on people.
The opportunity to make an impact and change people’s lives. Having been part of Discova Indonesia for eight years now, directly involved in a few community projects, specifically the Manggis Organic Farming Initiative, has been spiritually rewarding. As well as the successes I’ve seen of our Team Leaders, who are mostly women. For me, it’s tangible proof of the importance of equality.
The Kaura project, inspired by the success of Manggis Organic Farm Initiative, is the next step in our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of local people’s life – especially when it comes to empowering women. The villagers can see that there is no limit to the growth of their potential with a vision of sustainability in mind which is executed with a high spirit of collective ownership.
From the start, Ayu has been an invaluable part of Manggis Village’s community development story, right up to its culmination today, in our immersive village retreat, Kaura Bali.
I have been fortunate in my career journey to know many leaders and mentors who have been incredibly influential in my life and hope to do the same for others.
And especially in Discova I am so lucky to meet these great leaders who played important parts in my professional development.
Peter Christiansen [our Director of Operations], for his faith in giving me the opportunity to join the company in the first place. Understanding the local culture enables him to be both a good friend and a professional mentor. My late colleague Eileen Yee, who always challenged me and drove me to better understand obstacles and issues. She was a good mentor and leader because she truly listened to what I had to say. She had total belief in me that led her to set ambitious targets for my success.
And in my personal life, I’m grateful of course for my husband, for his unconditional support and for teaching me how to use facts over feelings in solving issues or making decisions when it matters most.
Because women are important pillars of a strong family and community. In most parts of Indonesia, especially in Bali, their dedication very rarely receives the recognition it deserves. Positively influencing them through projects and skills enhancement is critical in raising their self-esteem and dignity, which are important steps toward achieving eventual equality with the men in their local communities.
For me, equality means that everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or position, must receive equal respect and opportunity – both in their community and professional life. Equality must include, but not be limited to: equal access to education, equal pay for the same job, same opportunities to become leaders, and the ability to express his/her opinion within the company hierarchy.
Diversity means that everyone is unique and each of us has different skills, strengths, and personalities. However, each of these unique individuals can play important roles in creating a colourful community and professional establishment.
From my own experience, working in the Travel Industry has unlimited opportunities, tourism is a global industry, the skills you learn can be used anywhere. If you are just building a career in the travel industry, keep going and be fearless in pursuing your dream. Never give up and relish every challenge as a test of your true character. Be proud of the role you have at any moment regardless of how small it might look in the company’s hierarchy because one can lead from any position. Being in leadership is not about title or position but it is about stepping up in your role and responsibility. There will be times when the challenges look insurmountable, and quitting seems to be the easy way out. However, true leaders will survive by knowing the extent of positive impacts they made to other people’s lives.
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