Perfection Is the Enemy of the Good: A Message from FWA President Albana Theka

February 11, 2026

In finance, precision, rigor, and discipline are essential, and they will always remain core to how we operate and make decisions. At the same time, there is an important distinction between maintaining high standards and allowing the pursuit of perfection to slow progress, dilute impact, or prevent action altogether, particularly in moments that require speed, adaptability, and judgment.


One of the most valuable leadership lessons I have learned is that waiting for perfect conditions often means missing the opportunity to act when it matters most. Markets move quickly, organizations evolve in real time, and the world rarely presents us with complete information or ideal circumstances. If we wait until every variable is known and every detail refined, we often find that the moment has already passed.


Perfection is the enemy of the good.


Progress, especially in complex and dynamic environments, rarely comes from flawless execution. It comes from informed decision making, from moving forward with intention, and from being willing to adjust as new information emerges. Most meaningful advances are not perfect at the outset, but they are good enough to create momentum, learn from experience, and evolve into something stronger over time.


This mindset is particularly important for leaders, and it is especially relevant for women in leadership. Too often, women are conditioned to believe that we must be fully prepared, fully qualified, and fully certain before stepping forward or making decisions. That expectation, often applied more harshly to women than to others, can slow progress and limit both individual and collective impact.


Agility is not about lowering standards or acting without care. It is about being responsive, thoughtful, and decisive in the face of uncertainty. It requires confidence in our judgment, trust in the teams we lead, and the willingness to course correct when circumstances change. Moving fast does not mean moving blindly, it means recognizing that learning and improvement often happen through action rather than delay.


At the Financial Women’s Association, we strive to lead with this balance in mind. We are committed to excellence, but we also value momentum. We move forward deliberately, but without paralysis. We test new ideas, listen closely to our community, and continuously refine our approach, understanding that progress is an ongoing process rather than a final destination.


As leaders, our responsibility is not to eliminate uncertainty, because that is rarely possible, but to navigate it with clarity, courage, and a bias toward action. When we choose progress over perfection, we create space for innovation, growth, and meaningful change.



Let us continue to lead in this way, with confidence, adaptability, and purpose, supporting one another as we move forward together.

Albana Theka
President, 2025-202
Financial Women’s Association

Economic Drivers: UAE Women in the Workforce

February 10, 2026
The UAE is often recognized for its rapid growth, innovation, and global influence - what’s less widely known is the powerful role women play in driving success.

The UAE Political Landscape: 50% in Parliament

February 3, 2026
When you picture business in the Middle East, what comes to mind? If you suspect the region lacks opportunities for female leadership, the reality may surprise you.

Seventy Years Forward: How the Financial Women’s Association Built a Community That Changes Lives

January 28, 2026
by Robert Brown January is National Mentoring Month. In 2026, it also marks a defining moment for the Financial Women’s Association as we celebrate 70 years of advancing women in finance. This milestone matters now. As organizations across industries rethink development, mentorship, and long-term investment in people, FWA stands firm in what has always worked: human connection, shared knowledge, and women lifting one another forward.  For seven decades, FWA has done more than convene women in finance. It has built a community rooted in mentorship, access, and action. Progress here has never been accidental. It has always been intentional. It happens because women, and male allies choose to show up for one another. As current FWA President Albana Theka reminds us, “Mentorship isn’t about who’s ahead of you. It’s about who sees you, and who helps you see yourself.” That belief has shaped FWA from the beginning and continues to guide where we are headed next.

How Mentorship Helped Shape Simran Hassan’s Future in Finance

January 14, 2026
Some students enter college unsure of where they are headed. Others, like Baruch College senior and Finance major Simran Hassan, arrive with ambition and quickly realize how much more there is to learn. For Simran, the finance world felt exciting but intimidating. Competitive. Fast paced. Male dominated. She knew she wanted a seat at the table, but finding her voice took time and support. That support came through the Financial Women’s Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program , which Simran describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her college career. Before joining, she admits the industry felt overwhelming. “Before joining the program, the finance industry and its obvious male dominated environment felt quite daunting to me,” she shared. “But through FWA, I discovered the network of incredible women that exists within Baruch and across the industry. The program, and especially my mentor, gave me the confidence to speak my mind and seek resources that will help me succeed.”
More Posts