Move Fast and Build Things: 6 Unexpected Leadership Lessons From My Visit To The UAE
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Move Fast and Build Things: 6 Unexpected Leadership Lessons From My Visit To The UAE (Spoiler alert: It’s Not the Things You’re Thinking)
The Museum of the Future in Dubai
As I write this, I'm back in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a place I called home for 17 years.
The gleaming towers and ambitious projects capture global headlines as this nation continues to defy expectations and challenge conventional wisdom about what's possible in the modern world.
But beyond this lies something I find far more fascinating: how the art and science of leadership has been applied to transform an entire country.
If we view the UAE through the lens of "country as company”, what emerges is a powerful framework for leadership that is particularly relevant for navigating today's ever-changing world.
1. The Power of Clear Vision
While many nations struggle with short-term thinking and political gridlock, the UAE demonstrates the transformative power of a clearly articulated long-term vision backed by decisive action. The contrast with my current home in the UK strikes me as stark right now – where one nation seems adrift without a compelling narrative about its future, the other moves with purpose and direction.
I feel what's particularly instructive is not just the vision itself, but how it's communicated. The UAE leadership excels at making complex strategic goals tangible and relatable, ensuring everyone understands their role in the larger story and wants to play a part.
2. Redefining Confidence
The UAE offers a masterclass in what true confidence looks like in leadership. It's not about knowing you're right – it's about having the courage to step into the unknown with the belief that you'll figure it out. In a historically challenging region, the UAE has emerged as a beacon of stability and innovation precisely because of this mindset.
For leaders, this reframes confidence from a static trait to a dynamic capability – the ability to move forward decisively while remaining adaptable and open to learning. As I write this we’re poised to enter an unprecedented era of AI-driven transformation, which is going to be a wild ride - if ever this form of confident leadership is required, it’s over the coming months and years.
3. Cultivating Curiosity
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the UAE's approach is its refusal to rest on its natural advantages. Instead of relying solely on oil wealth, the nation is aggressively pursuing diversification into technology, renewable energy and start-up ecosystems. A country with a similar population size to Hungary is now a global frontrunner in AI, behind only the US and China.
This strategic curiosity – the willingness to explore, learn, and invest in emerging opportunities – creates a powerful innovation culture on a national scale. It's a reminder that true leadership requires constant evolution and the courage to venture beyond your comfort zone - I’ve spoken before about the difference between experts and explorers, and this is a perfect example of it - the UAE could have just doubled-down on the oil sector, but instead has actively sought out new horizons for growth.
4. Investing in Your People
One of the most persistent misconceptions about the UAE is that its success is simply a function of oil wealth. This ignores the strategic choice to invest not only in new technologies, but crucially in human capital through education and workforce development initiatives. Compare this to other resource-rich nations like Venezuela, that have failed to translate natural wealth into sustainable development and you’ll soon understand the difference.
The lesson for leaders? Financial resources alone can never guarantee success – it's how you invest them in your people that can make the critical difference. The UAE has created a generation of highly skilled technocrats who see themselves as active participants in their nation's vision. Spend time with Emiratis at Dubai Future Foundation or Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 and you’ll walk away impressed and enthused. On which note…
5. The Infectious Power of A Growth Mindset
There's something powerful about being in an environment where "anything is possible" isn't just a slogan, but a deeply held belief. The UAE has cultivated a national growth mindset that stands in sharp contrast to the prevailing sentiment in many Western nations today.
This highlights a crucial truth for leaders: organizational culture is contagious. When you create an environment that encourages big dreams and backs them with real, tangible support, that energy becomes self-reinforcing. You only have to look at the ‘brain gain’ in the UAE in recent years, as a ‘United Nations’ of talent gets attracted to a country that encourages them to think big and build with others who share the same dynamic spirit.
6. There is no one ‘right’ way to lead
Perhaps the most important lesson is one that challenges our assumptions about leadership itself. The UAE's success demonstrates that there isn't one ‘right’ way to lead or grow. While you can see that it’s learnt from Silicon Valley, for example, this isn’t blind imitation; it’s about absorbing, adapting and blending with its own heritage and leadership culture.
This is particularly relevant as global power dynamics shift and new models of success emerge. Effective leadership isn't about following a universal playbook – it's about finding approaches that align with your context, culture and goals..
In my experience the best leaders have universal traits around striving for excellence and cultivating great teams,, but also have their own authentic style.
The Bigger Picture
As someone who has spent significant time bridging different cultures – both national and organizational – I've grown increasingly wary of simplistic narratives and stereotypes.
The UAE's story is far more nuanced and instructive than common tropes about oil wealth would suggest.
In a world often paralyzed by short-term thinking and risk aversion, there's something profound to learn from the leadership of a nation that consistently chooses to dream big and back those dreams with bold action.
The UAE’s a lesson to all of us that leadership innovation can come from anywhere and sometimes the best lessons are found where we least expect them.
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Be A Prime Mover: 1 Quote to Spark Change
“Does running water stop when it reaches a rock? Of course not. It turns either left or right, and continues its way. Likewise, a positive person is confident that no challenge will stand in the way of achieving his or her goal.”
— H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Duba
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Your thoughts are the fuel that keeps us moving forward, so message me at jason@theprimemovement.com.
