In our latest Inspiring Leaders blog, we spoke with Noorullah Shakerullah, a Digital Technology Support Analyst at Chubb. His journey from a small village in Afghanistan to a successful career in data analysis is a powerful story of resilience, empathy, and leadership. 

Starting From Humble Beginnings 

Growing up in a tiny village in Afghanistan, life was simple and full of connections. I lived with my mother, sisters, and brother while my father worked in the UK, working for a brighter future for us. In our village, the local school was less about learning and more about keeping the kids occupied. It wasn’t a place filled with textbooks or exams; instead, it was an extension of our tight-knit community. While Afghanistan resembled a home for many of my friends and family, it was far from safe. Some of the things I have witnessed over there will stick with me forever. 

Our village life revolved around the open landscapes and the bonds we shared with each other. Every neighbour was a friend, and everyone knew and supported one another. It was this environment that taught me the importance of community and cooperation, a lesson that has stuck throughout my life. 

A New Life In England 

When my father called us over to the UK in 2008, he strongly believed the education was a better fit for us over here. The change from open fields and hand-built homes to modern buildings and structured roads was shocking to say the least! Life in Afghanistan was filled with unwritten rules and shared lives, whilst the UK represented a different set of opportunities and challenges. 

Once we got to the UK, life was so different. Instead of knowing every neighbour, it felt as if everyone lived in their bubble. My introduction to school and education was a whirlwind, I was initially placed based on a guess of my age, as I never knew my date of birth, later, a test revealed I was much older, leading to a quick jump through school years, going from year 5 to year 8. It was unsettling but necessary, I learned how to adapt quickly to changes even from such a young age. 

Finding My Feet and Fitting In 

Learning English was one of my main focuses when I moved here. To overcome this, I would constantly watch English movies, and I practised until I became fluent within a year. Sports also played a huge role, bridging the cultural gap through common ground. Whether it was on the badminton court or the football field, sports helped me forge strong connections. 

As I progressed through school, the journey of self-discovery led me away from my childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Instead, I found a passion for IT. This decision was about following my heart and leading myself by recognising my interests and strengths. It was a moment that taught me the importance of putting myself first and taking charge of my life. 

Leading with Empathy 

Leadership became a big part of my life, mainly through managing weekend football games with friends. I wasn’t just organising players; I was organising experiences, ensuring everyone felt included and helping lift team spirit. These responsibilities showed me that leadership is not about just being in charge but about being that approachable person that people can trust to create a sense of belonging within a group. 

Reflecting on my upbringing, my leadership style is undoubtedly influenced by my mother, whose warmth taught me empathy and generosity. Growing up around her, I learned the importance of kindness and giving. Balancing kindness with assertiveness remains an ongoing journey, taking skills from the Prophet in Islam whose leadership blended compassion with principled action. 

It’s All About Learning 

Professionally, my path wasn’t straightforward. Whether I was working as a paperboy or a waiter, there were always lessons learned along the way. These work experiences taught me about hard work, teamwork, and perseverance which laid a good foundation for when I eventually started working in IT. After some initial struggles, I eventually found my footing in an IT team for a telecommunications company. After soon realising it wasn’t a good fit for me, who wanted to progress and work my way up, I looked for a new opportunity, which was when I landed at Chubb, where I currently work as a data analyst. Here, I’ve found an environment that embraces growth and learning, these are principles that resonate deeply with my own. 

My passion for learning never leaves; I am always trying to seek new skills and certifications, especially in cyber security – a field I am eager to excel in. At Chubb, the culture of continuous learning and development is truly recognised, which is evident from our purpose of Building Great Leaders. This encourages me to reach higher and explore more. 

Living by my Values 

Beyond my work, I continue to uphold the values of my upbringing by engaging in various volunteer work. Raising funds for those in need in Afghanistan is my way of honouring my roots, acknowledging the community that shaped who I am today. It is also a reflection of my leadership style through service—helping those who need it most, from being empathetic and understanding. 

My life’s journey from a small Afghan village to a brand-new life in the UK has been filled with lessons in leadership, adaptation, and connection. The lesson I learned in my early years about the strong sense of community, being able to adapt to new surroundings and experiences quick and leading with kindness, guides my approach to leadership, both personally and professionally. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about the willingness to listen, learn, and lead by example. 

Who is your biggest inspiration? 

The Prophet Muhammad was a leader in Islam is my inspiration. He was kind but also firm and fair, it’s the perfect balance. 

What’s the Best Leadership Advice You’ve been Given?  

Be nice and kind and humble, it’s as simple as that! 

What’s your Guilty Pleasure TV show? 

I often love to watch ‘What we do in the shadows’, it’s very funny, although Friends is a close contender. 

If You Had to Swap Lives with Someone for a Day, Who Would it be? 

Cristiano Ronaldo. I would love to experience his life; I find it fascinating the life he lives and how successful he is. 

If you Could Have Dinner with a Historic Leader, Who Would it be? 

Muhammod Ali. I feel like he’s been through a lot, and I would like to understand his perspective and struggles. 

What’s One Thing You do That Would Surprise Your Teammates? 

DIY because they wouldn’t expect that from me! 

What’s one Mistake You’ve made as a Leader? 

Being a bit too kind. 

What Was Your Dream Job as a child?  

My dream job was always a doctor, although I would’ve loved to be a footballer too. 

How would your teammates describe you? 

I think they would say I am a calm person.