In an HR office in Qatar, Elizabeth Enriquez-Cruz , Certified Human Resource Professional, walks a fine line every day—between warmth and authority, smiles and tough decisions. And her team has a nickname for her that says it all.
“In the office, sometimes they call me the ‘smiling dragon,’” she shared in an exclusive interview with Financial Adviser PH. “Because when the employees, co-workers, or even my employer see me, I always smile—but during work, I am tough when it comes to decision-making. Still, I make sure to be balanced and fair.”
As the HR and Admin Manager at Ali Iskandar Al Ansari and Sons Company, Elizabeth oversees all HR functions across two companies. While the business has scaled down from 10 companies and 500 employees to just 30 staff today, her responsibilities remain demanding—and deeply human.
Leading With Both Empathy and Backbone
For Elizabeth, the nickname isn’t an insult—it’s a reflection of her leadership style. “Being smiling doesn’t mean being soft,” she explained. “I believe that a good HR person listens, mediates, and decides with fairness—even when it’s tough.”
She’s often the bridge between employees and management, absorbing the weight of both sides. “As an HR professional, I’m the mediator between the employee and the employer,” she said. “I listen to employees’ issues and I’m able to relay their message to the employer. Most of the time, it results in a good outcome—like approving their request or providing humanitarian benefits based on Qatar Labour Law.”
That kind of impact—transforming a tense situation into a win-win—is what she finds most fulfilling. Still, it doesn’t come without emotional labor.
“Sometimes I feel anxious,” Elizabeth admitted. “Why do employees only see or come to me when they need something or have an issue? But that’s part of the job. You deal with it because you care.”
Building Culture Through Consistency
Elizabeth’s approach to people management is built on emotional intelligence and structure. She believes in understanding the individual behind each role—and in setting clear expectations from the start.
“Being fair doesn’t mean always saying yes,” she emphasized. “It means looking at both sides, considering what’s best for the employee and the company, and making the decision with integrity.”
Her leadership style has helped create a culture of respect and trust—even across cultural and organizational differences. Despite being a Filipino woman in a predominantly male and Arab work environment, Elizabeth has built strong relationships through resilience, balance, and mutual respect.
A Career Rooted in Purpose
What makes her story even more compelling is how she entered HR in the first place—not by training, but by chance. With a degree in geology and education, Elizabeth was originally an editor before illness and recovery led her to a new path in HR. Over the years, she’s grown from HR assistant to department head, learning every aspect of the field along the way.
Today, even as she manages fewer people than before, her influence runs deeper than ever.
“I still work for my employer’s family—handling housemaid documents and international visas,” she said. “Whatever task is given, I treat it with the same commitment. Because when a company treats you like family, you give your loyalty back.”
And maybe that’s what makes the “smiling dragon” so effective. She’s not just balancing smiles and strength. She’s blending loyalty, fairness, and humanity into every decision she makes.
