MISHAL HUSAIN

What are your current leadership roles?

I present the Sunday evening 'News at Ten' on BBC1, and 'World News Today' on BBC World News during the week. I am also frequently involved in other BBC projects, such as presenting a major BBC2 documentary on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, to be broadcast in the autumn.

What has been your greatest achievement to date?

I really hope that as one of the few British Muslim women visible on BBC News, I might encourage younger women from minority communities to consider a career in journalism. The more the profession reflects what Britain looks like, the better the news we produce - we need a range of voices and viewpoints in the editorial process.

Have there been barriers that you've had to overcome personally or professionally?

The biggest challenge for me now is the perennial problem of combining work and motherhood - I believe everyone should strive to reach their full potential, but this is much easier when you only have yourself to look after!

What have been the major transitions on your leadership journey and what helped you through them? e.g. move to a new role, starting a family etc

The big transitions for me have been from behind the camera to in front of it - this was pure luck and belief from an editor when I was about 27. After that it was the move from business news presenting to the main news a couple of years after I started appearing on air. Finally, combining a presenter role and a correspondent role while I was based in Washington was a tricky one, but well worth the time and effort I put into it.

Was there someone who helped you or inspired you to realise your potential as a leader? How did they help/inspire you?

I remember writing to Joshua Rozenberg when he was the BBC's legal correspondent and I was a law student at university. He invited me to come in and see him work - the first time I had even been into the BBC. He was unfailingly generous and welcoming and I have never forgotten his encouragement. I have also been lucky to have some motivating editors and managers at the BBC, who believed I could succeed - I owe them all a great deal.

Is there one piece of advice that you would give an aspiring leader?

Be honest about who you are and where you are coming from, whether its your ethnic identity, your educational background - whatever. Its all a part of you and you never know which part will come in handy. Plus, insincerity sticks out a mile!

What do you most enjoy about your leadership role(s)?

I don't feel I am much of a leader but what I love about my work is that every day is different, and also that as a BBC journalist you have amazing access to people and their stories.

What do you think of Ignite?

Anything that encourages the leaders of the future is wonderful!

Could your experience help others? Can you inspire others? Would you like to be inspired by new talent?

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