Early challenge that changed everything
Saeid Zaghloul’s career story begins not in hospitality but in a very different world — the lab. Trained as a chemical engineer and working in the medical sector, he faced a moment that pushed him out of his comfort zone and forced a bold decision: change career, change industry, and change the way he defined success. That decision was not made lightly. It came from a place of curiosity, courage, and a desire to make an impact in a field built on people and experience. What followed was a steep learning curve, self-doubt, and the kind of hard work that forges leaders.
A bold career shift: why hospitality?
Saeid has often said that the hospitality and food & beverage industry called to him because it is fundamentally about people. Unlike the technical focus of engineering and medical work, hospitality demands emotional intelligence, quick decision-making, and the ability to transform ordinary moments into memorable experiences. Embracing an industry he initially knew little about, Saeid started from the ground up — learning daily operations, service standards, and team dynamics. The shift tested him but ultimately revealed his natural talent for building teams and improving operational performance.
From ground level to the top of the pyramid
Starting at entry-level roles, Saeid poured himself into every task, knowing that credibility comes from proven effort. He battled the internal voice of doubt that asks, “Do you belong here?” and instead chose routines and actions that built trust with colleagues and managers. Over time, that trust translated into responsibility. Saeid’s rise was not a series of shortcuts; it was steady progress shaped by consistent learning, mentorship, and an appetite for feedback. He transformed obstacles into stepping stones and, in doing so, shaped the leadership style he now practices.
The people-first leadership philosophy
At the heart of Saeid’s leadership is a simple idea: invest in people and relationships. He believes that organizational success follows when individuals are given clarity, encouragement, and the tools to grow. This approach blends operational discipline with empathy — setting standards while also coaching team members to reach them. That balance has been central to his work in training area managers and leading learning initiatives, where he focuses on both performance outcomes and personal development. His posts and public work reflect a commitment to lifelong learning and to creating environments where people feel seen and supported.
Credentials and public recognition
Saeid has backed his practical experience with continuous professional development. He has shared achievements such as earning HACCP Level 3 certification, which reflects a dedication to food safety and standards — a critical competency in hospitality and F&B operations. This combination of hands-on leadership and technical certifications has strengthened his credibility when building and scaling operations across markets.
Building bridges across markets: the Swish connection
A notable chapter in Saeid’s career is his work with SWiSH (often styled SWiSH), where he has served in roles that connect finance, operations, and training functions. Working at group level has given him exposure to cross-market strategies, financial oversight, and the complexity of aligning standards across regions. Saeid describes this kind of work as not just delivering immediate business results but creating long-term value that benefits teams and communities. His association with group-level responsibilities demonstrates how a leader from ground-level experience can scale influence to the strategic plane.
Using learning and development as a growth engine
Today, Saeid focuses heavily on learning and development. He designs initiatives that strengthen teams, reduce churn, and create consistent guest experiences. By codifying best practices and creating repeatable training modules, he helps organizations expand without diluting quality. His approach marries operational KPIs with human metrics — engagement, retention, and the confidence of frontline leaders. This emphasis on L&D allows businesses to scale while keeping the employee experience central to strategy.
Coaching, agile methods, and operational excellence
Saeid’s profile shows he has embraced agile and coaching frameworks to improve workflow and collaboration. Combining agile principles with traditional operations management has allowed teams to be more responsive and to solve problems faster. He positions himself as an operations expert and agile coach, helping teams adopt practices that increase efficiency while retaining flexibility — a vital capability in hospitality where daily variables are the norm.
A public-facing presence: Instagram and LinkedIn engagement
Saeid maintains an active presence on social platforms, where he shares ideas about leadership, books, and professional growth. His Instagram and LinkedIn channels reflect a leader who values knowledge sharing and community building. Through posts, training announcements, and thought leadership content, he connects with professionals across regions and invites them into conversations about how to lead and grow in service industries. These platforms also allow him to showcase the human side of leadership — the struggles, routines, and small wins that define a career.
Writing a book and shaping a legacy
One of Saeid’s longer-term projects is writing his first book on leadership and people development. This effort is more than a personal milestone — it’s a way to distill experience into practical guidance for future leaders. He’s intent on creating a lasting resource that captures lessons learned from setbacks, successful interventions, and the everyday practice of coaching teams. For Saeid, this book is part of a broader legacy: enabling others to step into leadership with clarity and courage.
Lessons learned: resilience and continuous learning
If there’s a recurring theme in Saeid’s professional narrative, it is the commitment to never stop learning. Whether through formal certifications, peer learning, or on-the-job trial and error, he treats every experience as material for growth. Setbacks, he says, are not endpoints but data points that guide refinement — a perspective that turns failure into fuel. This mindset is what allowed him to transition industries, scale responsibilities, and maintain momentum in uncertain environments.
What success looks like to him
Saeid defines success not by titles alone but by the ecosystems he helps build — places where individuals and organizations thrive together. For him, success is measured in empowered teams, sustainable market expansion, and the ability to influence change beyond a single brand or country. The ambition includes leaving a global footprint by connecting people, markets, and cultures, and by promoting collaboration that transcends borders.
Final thoughts: advice from experience
When asked what he would tell his younger self, Saeid emphasizes authenticity and courage. He reminds leaders to align actions with values, to invest deeply in relationships, and to take bold steps when opportunity meets conviction. His message is simple: do the work, lead with integrity, and never underestimate the power of people. In his public posts and training sessions, that message is the through-line — the reason his career shift feels less like a gamble and more like a deliberate journey toward impact.
Looking ahead: shaping leaders for the future
Saeid Zaghloul’s story is still unfolding. From a chemical engineer who stepped into hospitality with more questions than answers, he has become an operations leader, agile coach, and a public voice for continuous development. With ongoing work in learning initiatives, group-level operations, a forthcoming book, and a growing public presence, he aims to inspire others to take courageous leaps of their own. For anyone tracking a career transformation or building leadership capacity in service industries, Saeid’s journey offers both a blueprint and a reminder: growth often comes right after the moment we choose to step outside what’s comfortable. Do follow him on Instagram.
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