The Leadership Lessons of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
This year marks the 18th anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s assumption of the reins of government in Dubai.
In light of his remarkable leadership experience that has captivated the world, it is time to pause and reflect on his lessons in leadership and vision.
The Personal Touch:
The first thing we recognize is the personal touch, unique to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid himself.
It is stemming from his own vision and convictions forged through his life and leadership experiences.
This has permeated Emirati society as a general characteristic and contributed to the formation of the national identity.
Speaking of this personal touch, one cannot but stop at the motivational power directed towards uplifting the spirits of Emiratis through the emphasis on the number “one.”
As well as concepts like intelligence, innovation and thinking outside the box.
In addition to anticipating and creating the future, and many others.
That have opened up spaces for Emiratis to engage with life, contribute to building their nation, support their state, and feel a deep sense of belonging to their homeland.
In this context, it is important to note that leadership thought does not operate in isolation, self-sufficient.
Instead, it draws its strength from the leader’s personal touch.
Which builds strong relationships with the members of the community.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum combines powerful leadership ideas with a strong personal touch.
That is felt by citizens and residents alike, with each individual considering his directives as a direct personal assignment.
Vision and Planning:
It is undeniable that the past 18 years of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s journey have all been about expressing a pre-defined vision.
In addition to moving forward according to a specific plan and meticulous planning.
Guided by the hands of a clock that anticipates, plans for the future, and confronts the challenges of reality through thinking outside the box.
This is one of the hallmarks of Sheikh Mohammed’s approach:
Anticipating and preparing for the future with strategic plans and organizing steps according to a work program.
Therefore, he began his term as Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai by publishing the book “My Vision” (2006).
Which lays out his vision for leadership and life.
“My Vision” (2006) by Mohammed bin Rashid
This book came under the subtitle “Challenges in the Race for Excellence”.
A title that carries key elements of Sheikh Mohammed’s thought, namely:
“Challenges” and “opportunities,” two concepts that are closely intertwined, just as “problems” are intertwined with “solutions.”
In this book, “Vision,” Sheikh Mohammed presents his view of life and the duties of leadership.
Within this context, he sees one of the most important qualities of a competent leader as the ability to identify challenges.
Then, he doesn’t look away, but rather contemplates those challenges and transforms them into promising opportunities.
From another perspective, Sheikh Mohammed presents the model of a leader who adopts a programmatic principle, providing his term with a vision that serves as a work program.
At the same time, this book serves as a presentation and explanation of the leader’s personality and his vision.
Those who have lived in Dubai over the past two decades undoubtedly recognize that the titles of this book serve as a roadmap.
That has been meticulously implemented on the ground.
Any reader can verify that the values advocated by Sheikh Mohammed in his early book “Vision” have become established values in Emirati society, guiding lights for the youth and new generations.
The School of Dedication:
Another prominent and evident feature in Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership school is dedication.
In fact, dedication shines through as a clear result in every detail.
One can perceive it in all the areas that have captured his attention.
From poetry to horsemanship, from military interests to political activity, and from leadership to various forms of administration.
Sheikh Mohammed was a partner in the effort to establish the United Arab Emirates.
He was also a guardian of the union, and a protector of it.
He played this role with great skill and left his mark with exceptional effort and a prominent role in various stages.
This earned him, from his early youth, the appreciation and trust of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Thus, the “founding father” was one of the sources of expertise and knowledge in Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership school.
The energy and infrastructure sector achieved qualitative achievements during the year 2023, which reflect the UAE’s global leadership and its continuous efforts to keep pace with rapid developments and meet the needs of the future pic.twitter.com/AcG1RTFkzn
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) January 2, 2024
Lessons from the Father:
In the twelfth chapter of his book “My Story”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum devotes a chapter to the lessons he learned from his late father, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
He lists them under the title: “Three Lessons at the Beginning of Rashid’s Rule.”
These three lessons, have become basic principles in His Highness’s leadership school.
The first is: “Man does not stop learning.”
The second is to create leaders, where he says:
The most important qualities of a successful ruler is to surround himself with strong leaders, and we are always looking for them.
But when we don’t find them, we make them ourselves.
It is our responsibility to make leaders.”
The third lesson is “The economy first.
Anyone who follows the course of His Highness’s leadership can find these principles in his initiatives, decisions, and approach.
At the three levels of his positions: Vice President of the State, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
In fact, these three principles had the greatest share in the contribution that His Highness made to the history of the state and its rise.
And also in strengthening its position and status as a pioneering experience, and a modern model in dealing with challenges and transforming them into promising and rewarding opportunities.
It is worth noting here that His Highness used to translate every experience and experience into an idea and a principle.
In this way, his coexistence with the “founding father” and “Rashid’s father” was translated into a way of life and a philosophy of governance.
Therefore, His Highness concludes this twelfth chapter of his book “My Story” by saying:
Three tips from a wise man and a teacher, which became my way of life, and a philosophy of governance with my people.
Mohammed bin Rashid Passion Towards Dubai
His Highness’s passion and leadership thought revolves around a “center” and a “core”: the center is the United Arab Emirates, the Union state.
And the core: Dubai.
His Highness’s experience was characterized by his care for the Union state, adherence to the principles of the founding fathers.
As well as pride in the biographies and roles of “Zayed” and “Rashid” in establishing this unique union, and a model of successful and cohesive unity.
In this context, Dubai, embodies the loftiest ideas and the most successful.
It is as if the emirate is a book written by his pen passionate about success and excellence.
As if it is his dream that he sought to build brick by brick.
It is striking that His Highness expressed his passion explicitly in his book “My Story,” which deals with Dubai, in clear words.
And also linked it to what is most dear to him, saying:
My father, the horse, and Dubai, are my first memories of childhood; My father, the horse, and Dubai, are my memory that will remain with me until the end.
The horse combines pride, arrogance, tenderness, and strength at the same time; so is my father, and so is Dubai.
Yes, Dubai is the memory, and Dubai is the passion!
The Expert Grandfather
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reflected on the lessons he learned from his grandfather, the late Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum.
He recalls how Sheikh Saeed was known for his wisdom, patience, and prudence.
Especially in dealing with the crises that Dubai faced under his rule.
These crises included the Great Depression, the collapse of the pearl market, and the smallpox epidemic.
Sheikh Saeed was always quick to act to protect the people of Dubai during these difficult times.
He made sure that they had the resources they needed to survive and rebuild their lives.
This emphasis on social welfare was a central theme in his vision for Dubai.
Sheikh Zayed Festival breaks 4 new Guinness World Records with the largest and most massive fireworks display
And drone shows that lasted for more than 60 continuous minutes to celebrate New Year’s Day 2024.🥳 pic.twitter.com/NLm6MJsZuc
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) January 2, 2024
Sheikh Mohammed sees himself as carrying on this legacy of his grandfather.
He has led Dubai through many challenges, including the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In each case, he has shown his ability to turn these challenges into opportunities.
Sheikh Mohammed is a true leader of the world.
He has enriched human experience in leadership and management.
He has also created a unique model, admired by the world.
In fact, he is a faithful guardian of the United Arab Emirates, and a wise and capable prime minister, leading the country into the future.
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