Sheikh Mohammed Urges Leaders to Embrace Change, Empower People

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has called upon organisations to rethink leadership and adopt a new perspective, stressing adaptability, innovation and quick decision-making as a result of the growing fast pace of global change.

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Sheikh Mohammed, in quotes from his book ‘What Life Taught Me‘ published in the UAE media, claimed that organisations cannot keep on following successful tactics or strategies from the past forever. Rather, the leaders need to be ready to adjust to evolving circumstances and adjust their teams accordingly.

He emphasized that artificial intelligence and technologies are increasingly impacting not only technology, but also production, jobs, investment and society.

Sheikh Mohammed also spent a significant amount of time on people and emphasising that there has to be some measure of leadership from employees to solve their problems and take on more initiative.

He cautioned that the quashing initiative could do a disservice to an organisation’s future, saying it’s crucial to provide a space for people to try things out, and see if they are successful, and to learn from issues along the way and bring in new ideas.

A second message of importance was to act quickly in decision-making. A good choice at the right moment can be more useful than an optimal choice at an inappropriate moment,” he said, “In this fast-changing world.”

The three priorities of the book’s leadership philosophy are to be prepared for uncertainty, empowered people and fast action of ideas.

As governments and organisations face increasing technologic and economic change, especially as represented by AI, the message comes as a reminder.