In the bustling atmosphere of Expo Dubai, a world-class event where nations converged to showcase their achievements, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a liaison or HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, the esteemed Chairman of Emirates Airline, Expo 2020 and various entities and companies in Dubai.
Little did I know that this experience would not only expose me to the grandeur of the event but also impart invaluable lessons in leadership. Allow me to share a few key lessons as I observed and learned from the exceptional leadership traits displayed by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed during event time at Expo 2020.
Directed by Vision – One of the first traits that struck me about HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, was the eagle’s eye view he possessed. He wields a clear and ambitious vision for the entities he overlooks and the roles they play on a global stage. Under his guidance, Emirates had transformed into a symbol of excellence and innovation.
Witnessing his unwavering determination to foster progress and innovation, I learned the importance of setting lofty goals and having a bold vision to inspire and motivate those around him. His ability to communicate directions that collectivistically integrate towards a broader “Dubai vision” effectively empowers his teams to strive with patriotism for a better tomorrow.
Decisiveness in Action – In the midst of the Expo’s dynamic environment, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed’s decisiveness became apparent. He demonstrated an extraordinary ability to make swift and informed decisions, even in the face of uncertainty. His years of experience had honed his judgment, and he never hesitated to take calculated risks for the benefit of Emirates and the aviation sector. This taught me the significance of taking calculated risks, trusting one’s instincts, and embracing the potential rewards that lie beyond the comfort zone.
His decisive actions inspired confidence and fostered a culture of proactive problem-solving within the team. This trait of confident decision making derives from the late, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Empowering others – One of the most remarkable aspects of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed’s leadership was his commitment to empowering others. He understood that a leader’s success lies not only in their individual achievements but in the collective growth of their team. He fostered a culture of inclusivity, ensuring that every team member felt valued and heard.
By delegating responsibilities and providing opportunities for growth, he nurtured a sense of ownership and fostered innovation. Witnessing this, HH not only empowered me as an expo 2020 staff but had also casted an energy of confidence outside my work space. Through his actions, he instills doses of intrinsic motivations and inspires the team to reach new milestones.
Resilient mindset – During the Covid 19 pandemic, Emirates Airline and Expo 2020 presented its fair share of challenges, from the ambiguous pandemic leading towards unforeseen circumstances. Yet, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed’s resilience was unwavering. He remained composed, adaptive, and focused on finding solutions. He approached each obstacle as a chance to learn and grow, never allowing setbacks to dampen his spirit or hinder progress.
From him, I imbibed the importance of embracing adversity as an opportunity for growth, displaying resilience in the face of challenges, and maintaining unwavering determination. His resilience was contagious, and it infused the entire team with a renewed sense of determination. Moreover, his years of experience had honed his judgment, and he never hesitated to take calculated risks.
This shows the significance of taking calculated risks, trusting one’s instincts, and embracing the potential rewards that lie beyond the comfort zone. His decisive actions inspired confidence and fostered a culture of proactive problem-solving within the environment. This trait of confident decision making derives from the late, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Current Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
A humble leader – In my opinion, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s humility has been a key and instrumental factor towards his endeavors. Despite his significant accomplishments and vast achievements at a global scale, he remains approachable, down to earth and open to feedback and ideas.
The humble demeanor has HH’s humble characteristic also enables him to recognize and celebrate the contributions of his dedicated and very motivated team. Furthermore, his humility integrates to an adaptable spirit within changing market dynamics and volatile global polices. Such a spirit creates an eco-system of connected minds ready to navigate the ship in different directions to a achieve a collectivized goal.
An experience marked by professionalism, inspiration and a strong sense of daily purpose; observing HH has pumped doses of enriching lessons that umbrella an ambiance of remarkable leadership, an article can’t justify. HH’s name has been a key headline to Dubai’s success for the past 40 years in every industry he’s marked his thumb print with.
“Dubai is the place; Dubai is the brand… Those who will bet against Dubai will always lose”
– HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum