Durban psychologist Shameema Siddique publishes first book

Durban-based psychologist and author, Shameema Siddique, has made her dream of writing a reality.

Her first book, The Stylish Psychologist, gives insight into the world of corporate politics.

Ms Siddique is an organisational and private practice psychologist, specialising in assessments and coaching in South Africa.

In an interview with DurbanLocal she spoke about her love for writing and her new book.

“I wrote this book to ignite a narrative on corporate politics and professional jealousy. Mental health is at stake in the world of work and there are no committees addressing emotional pain yet many forums driving work performance. Humans need to be heard holistically in order to thrive,” said Ms Siddique.

The characters in the story are fictional and based on personality types that exist in the world of work, she said.

They emerged as deeply as her imagination would craft them while keeping them relatable to her audience, said Ms Siddique.

Her favourite character was the protagonist, Azra Shah, a beautiful, intelligent, talented, stylish 29-year-old woman.

In the book, Ms Shah has landed her dream job in a nightmare company.

Ms Siddique said she empathises with Ms Shah the most as she is sassy and sensible.

Her inner world is wildly vivid despite showing up as the consummate professional.

Her distinctive style is also an element that Ms Siddique said she can relate to.

“Azra’s character deals with the trials of (the corporate world) by focusing on where she can obtain the most leverage. Rather than absorbing herself in the thick of the naysayers, she remains resolute in adding value to the business, quickly gaining the attention of senior decision-makers,” said Ms Siddique.

The story centres on Ms Shah who has been appointed as the corporate psychologist.

Her boss, Pierce, seems rather needy, has an insecurity complex and micro-manages her. The hot CFO, James, flirts outrageously with her. However, on the home front, Ms Shah and her husband, Mirza, are happily married but they can’t fall pregnant.

Ms Siddique said this type of situation sometimes happens in the work place. She said her advice as a psychologist is to remain steadfast in what feels right to you.

“What you focus on will prosper. Corporate is not a place where cognition alone resides. You need your emotional regulation to be at its peak and intuition to be switched on. This will directly influence superior judgement and decisions. Identify your allies and if you cannot trust anyone, go back into yourself and be a talent so formidable, it’s impossible to overlook. Practice integrity and healthy boundaries.”

Ms Siddique said drama is a living, breathing dragon that spurts out fire deceptively. It happens within the confines of meeting rooms, social corners and corridors guised as networking. It’s up to you to know the difference. Bosses will emotionally deplete you as they have demands to meet, colleagues will intimidate, flirt and misguide you. Just know when to listen and speak.”

As a child, Ms Siddique flourished with essays, speeches, writing assignments and pretty much anything linked to words. She wrote poetry and scripted school plays. She won a poetry Valentine’s Day competition at a local library, depicting the essence of love at a tender age. She said she felt and saw the power of the word. This has driven her passion to write her first book and there is definitely more to come, she said.

Using her words to pass on a message to her readers, Ms Siddique said she would like her readers to know that they get to decided their limits.

“Some have a higher threshold for emotional pain than others, like Azra in the story. You are the CEO of your thoughts, emotions, intuition and choices. If circumstances contaminate this for you where you feel compromised, make the best decision you possibly can. Also, invite friends and seek help. This is a strength not a weakness,” she said.

“Sometimes winning the war is choosing peace. Work is a microcosm of life so treat it as a segment of your world and give it due diligence, not your soul – that’s for your life.”